introducing AYANNA HEAVEN

first stop, saturn road in cobble hill. this all-day café is home to friendly staff and an even more inviting backyard. a thicket of bamboo adorns a long wall, their tall culms sturdier than most people's sense of selves. but not ayanna's.

"this is the kind of place that really allows my mind to wander freely,» she explains over an iced strawberry matcha.

i'll usually come here during the middle of the day to reflect or prep for my radio shows, sounds of heaven on the lot and across 110th street on wkcr. it's nice to be in a natural environment to do that.

the outdoors space is perfect for a daytime party. «if i was djing here, i'd play a lot of music with organic elements-jazz with bird sounds, flutes, vibraphones, xylaphones-to enhance the beautiful nature around us," she says.

"the environment always has to be part of my set."

coincidentally, she spots some colleagues from her previous job at the department of education, which feel like a lifetime ago. at that period in her life, she wasn't djing and this sudden blast from the past sparks a moment of gratitude.

"thankfully, i know exactly where i'm supposed to be in life right now and it's these kinds of spaces that help me realise how fortunate i am to be a full-time creative "

every artist needs inspiration and for ayanna, brooklyn museum is often the source. fully caffeinated, we head over to the majestic building in prospect heights.

"i love their exhibits," she gushes. "they really reflect brooklyn and the demographics of this borough through their exhibitions. last year's show with artwork from alicia keys and swizz beatz was incredible, it featured so many jamaican artists. there was also a recent flower exhibition, which you know i loved."

for ayanna, the museum's curation is what really sets it apart from its peers.

"you can tell they have good staff who really care about the community just from how they programme saturdays. on the first saturday of every month, they have djs and activations throughout the space. throughout this summer, they have irie jam radio, which focuses on caribbean music, broadcasting every weekend."

sandwiched between the brooklyn botanic gardens and prospect park, the museum represents the organic intersection of nature and intentional art. this trifecta of visual delights makes for a perfect day-one easily merges into the other. a short walk later, we've swapped the city streets for prospect park's lush greenery.

on the south side lies smorgasboard, an outdoor food market that's become almost a sunday ritual for ayanna.

«i'm a huge foodie, which is probably why we're walking in that right direction,» she laughs.

"there's a really great stand called coco bred that uses jamaican cocoa bread, which is nice and soft, to make sandwich pockets. there's also a trini stand that sells ahhh-mazing curry crab but go early because it always sells out."

perhaps even better than the food is the walk afterwards.

"i love the nethermead area in the middle of the park, which has these sprawling meadows. it's my favourite place to chill and see how many different shades of green i can spot."

some of her other favourite spots include one lake where a bunch of turtles often hang out by the shore.

"it's great to watch them and reflect on patience. for me, nature is freedom," she continues. "where i'm from in jamaica is so picturesque. even in the suburbs of georgia, where i lived as a kid, there were so many trees. i feel like i was raised in greenery."

we both agree that this is easily new york city’s best park. although built by the same designer as central park, prospect’s vibe is entirely distinct from its manhattan equivalent.

“this is truly the people’s park,” she explains. i love how many families come here, you really see the diversity of brooklyn. it’s not touristy because of the different neighborhoods it touches, so many different age groups and cultures collide here.”

upon leaving the verdant sanctuary, we find ourselves in flatbush, ayanna’s home turf. home to a vibrant caribbean population, the neighborhood bustles with movement. uncles play dominoes on the sidewalk, markets offer fresh plantains.

“flatbush really recreates the jamaican experience,” she describes as we walk to our next destination. “you can get everything you want as a caribbean or west african person, that’s why i chose to live here.”

we arrive at record city, a vinyl store where ayanna’s a regular. not only does this cosy shop carry serious heat in the form of reggae and rocksteady 45’s, staff are known for flawless recommendations. some of ayanna’s best finds have been the heptones’ “acting a king” plus plenty of studio one releases.

“i can’t tell you how many times i’ve heard whatever they’re playing in the store and i think ‘i gotta have that.’ whoever is working there, you can trust their taste and suggestions.”

each record also carries a brief but precise description that teases out the sound. this attention to detail is one of many reasons why regulars like ayanna keep coming back. it helps that the store is spacious.

“i never want to feel rushed or crowded while digging.”

fair pricing is also a factor.

“my investment in my music collection is one of the biggest i’ll make so i appreciate affordable prices.”

her tip for first-timers? ask for selam (aka mishap) and you’ll be in good hands.

“she has a wicked ear and her curation is so deep.”

she gets the jerk chicken plate with rice, peas and salad. since there's no seating, orders are takeaway-only. sometimes, she lingers to chat with the chef over a quick drink. after all, there's nothing more appetising than human connection.

like a true aries sun sign, ayanna radiates passion as she lovingly speaks of brooklyn's myriad bounties. in her sweet spot when she's thinking and feeling deeply, she thrives on sensory stimulation that nourishes the mind and body. and her favourite spots do exactly that.