Strolling down Brooklyn’s Malcolm X Blvd, past a row of small storefronts with Afro-centric markings; alongside abandoned brownstones and apartment buildings with smashed windows, all painted over by street artists, here is a Black neighborhood in the midst of gentrification (again) and sitting on the corner is Juices for Life, a healthy alternative juice bar that’s owned by DJ Envy, Angela Yee, and Styles P.
The reason for my adventure was to find an answer to the question—Who’s Got The Juice?—and to witness a competition between cast members from BET’s new reality series, “Hustle In Brooklyn” and Breakfast Club hosts DJ Envy and Angela Yee at Juices for Life, the delicious, Black-owned juice bar.
The rules of engagement were simple. Cast members Azia, Randy, Baggy Large, Perks, Danny, Marco, and TP were divided into two teams, “Team Envy” (DJ Envy, Azia, Baggy Large, Perks) and “Team Yee”(Angela Yee, Danny, Marco, and TP).
Customers lined up to buy custom-made juices and the objective was to see which group could hustle up the most money in an hour through juice sales, tips, and online donations. The juice bar regulars didn’t miss a beat and helped the cast spread the word about the great causes they were benefitting. Team Envy was playing to donate money to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Team Yee was playing to donate money to the American Foundation for the University of West Indies (AFUWI).
Team Yee went first. “I’m from Brooklyn. This is my home,” said juice bar owner and DJ Angela Yee. “To be able to give back in my own community first—it means a lot….we plan to bring more [Juices or Life] of these healthy alternatives into the black community.”
Juices for Life’s menu is large with selections ranging from A to Z with interesting names to match the exotic mixes like B.K. (Pomegranate, Strawberry, Peach, Mango, and Apple), Future (Peanut Butter, Beet, Pear, and Strawberry), Lady Tonic (Orange, Beets, and Carrots) and the list goes on.
“The selection is a little intimating but it’s all about giving back,” said Team Yee member Marco Maldonado. “ I love being healthy. I love the Black community. If we win our donation will go to We are The American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (AFUWI), Angela [Yee ] is on the board of the charity. They provide scholarships, grants, and fund special projects for West Indian people.”
Good news travels fast. It didn’t take long before the juice bar was packed. The Brooklyn community is deeply affected by the store and they take a great sense of pride even more because it’s Black-owned. Monica Torres, the manager of Juices for Life who recently became a vegan made it clear that the sense of community and the feeling of belonging is exactly what owners DJ Envy, Angela Yee, and Styles P wanted.
“The goal was always to make something more healthy and affordable in our community,” said manager Torres. “We only use fruit and fresh vegetables, nothing [artfical] added. It’s a great alternative to the unhealthy choices that are found in our communities.”
You can’t argue with facts. The sense of unfairness is felt viscerally thorough Black communities in the United States a place steeped in racism and denial. Diabetes. Heart disease. High blood pressure. Preventable and manageable diseases with healthy food choices. The existence of Juices for Life, a healthy place, is, in fact, an act of defiance.
“This [Juice for Life] is like a family,” shared Torres. “Besides the fact that a lot of us are family here, we are welcoming. Angela [Yee] is hands on. Our slogan is Love is Love. That’s what we run by. That’s what we go by. That’s who we are and the regulars that come by here every day, they feel it.”
When it comes to learning Torres says that all of the owners have inspired her and it might surprise some that Styles P makes everyone around him feel empowered.
“Styles [P] goes out of his way to make sure that the people that come into the store feel good, “ confides Torres. “He’s like ‘sis your hair is beautiful today, I love your outfit; sincere compliments. I watched the customers reaction and how it makes them feel better about themselves. It makes everyone feel good. Our juice bar is a whole, positive vibe.”
In the end, it was “Team Envy” that took home the win, raising a sizable donation which was then generously matched by BET Networks.
“We all won,” said “Hustle In Brooklyn” cast members Azia, Randy, Baggy Large, Perks, Danny, Marco, and TP.
“When you take care of one of us, you take care of all of us,” summed up Torres. “BET’s “Hustle In Brooklyn” cast took the friendly competition—seriously—because being healthy and helping others is not a joke. “
Team Envy donations are going to The Make-A-Wish Foundation, selected by DJ Envy. The organization seeks to grant the wish of every child diagnosed with a critical illness through the support of tens of thousands of volunteers and donors. In the United States and its territories, a wish is granted by the foundation every 34 minutes on average.
“Hustle In Brooklyn” is created and produced by Entertainment One and Creature Films. It follows a group of young and driven millennials and tracks how their lives intersect in the pursuit of personal and professional success. “Hustle In Brooklyn” airs Tuesdays at 10/9c pm on BET.
#HustleInBK!
