Zohra Saed

The Little Central Asia in South Brooklyn project is a student-led, community-centered mapping initiative that documents Central Asian restaurants and small businesses across South Brooklyn while supporting economic visibility, cultural preservation, and a sense of shared belonging among Central Asian Americans.

Link to MAP

Developed during Fall 2024 in the course Central Asian Literature and Film (MHC 387-01), the project brings together on-the-ground research, oral history, and digital storytelling. Macaulay Honors College students researched, visited, interviewed, and documented restaurants and businesses, working collaboratively to create an interactive map that personalizes Google Maps.

The project was created by students in collaboration with Joseph Pentangelo, linguist, folklorist, and Postdoctoral Fellow at the Teaching and Learning Collaboratory, and me, at Macaulay Honors College.

A Living Archive

This map is a directory and a living, evolving archive created by and for the community. By documenting businesses often overlooked in official records, the project affirms Central Asian presence in New York City and supports local entrepreneurs by increasing their visibility and storytelling.

Mapping our neighborhoods empowers the future of our small businesses and communities.

The project continues beyond the launch, with plans to expand entries, deepen community collaboration, and maintain the map as a public resource for residents, educators, researchers, and visitors. Stay tuned for more additions.

Here is the link to the Winter 2024 Launch at Macaulay Honors College: Little Central Asia in South Brooklyn Map