Awards, Press, and Partners
Here you can find NYN’s awards and recognitions, mentions in the press, and a list of our partners! If you’re interested in contacting us for a quote, interview, a press/media opportunity, or a partnership, please write to asad@newyorknarratives.com and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!
Awards and Recognition
In Fall 2023, NYN was selected as a winner in the Brooklyn Public Library’s annual PowerUP business plan competition. In the competition, participants had to submit a 20+ page business plan, and out of roughly 70 submissions, NYN qualified as a top 8 finalist, winning a merit award.
We are forever grateful to the BPL for supporting us and giving us the boost we need to do this work!
(Photos of PowerUP! competition awards ceremony by Gregg Richards of the BPL)
In Spring 2023, when NYN was barely a concept, Asad pitched the idea of a tour company called “Grassroots Gotham” to a walking tour incubator grant program offered by the Alliance for Downtown New York. The idea was selected as a runner-up, and won a free spot at TripSchool (a $999 value), a class on how to develop and operate a tour company.
We are grateful to the Downtown Alliance and TripSchool for their support and mentorship! You can read more about the incubator grant and winners here.
Press and Media
NYC's Mercantile Mayhem: Fermenting with Noma Projects, Chai Time, Fed Up Street Vendors, The Foxtrot Disaster and Jane's Walk Redux
“Remembering Little Syria: The First Arab Americans, Malcolm X’s Harlem: Walking the Autobiography and From Mecca to Manhattan: An Intro to Muslim New York (which is full, maybe check back for cancellations) are a few of the walks led by Asad Dandia. Dandia will soon launch his touring company New York Narratives and as you can see in the photo of Dandia interviewing Molly Crabapple, he always keeps the conversation lively.”
- Nina Roberts, April 24, 2024
Gothamist: Want to explore NYC? Here’s a list of 190 free walking tours happening next month.
“What’s really unique about these walking conversations is they’re given by regular New Yorkers,” said Elizabeth Goldstein, president of the Municipal Art Society, which organizes the event. This year’s edition takes place May 3-5 and includes offerings like “Greenpoint Polish History Walk,” “Urban Forest Care in Hell’s Kitchen” and “From Mecca to Manhattan: An Intro to Muslim New York.”
- Ryan Kailath, April 12, 2024
NYC's Mercantile Mayhem: Warming The Cockles of My Heart Edition
“I know several businesses that participated and won over the years, such as Asad Dandia, founder of New York Narratives. His walking tour company is slated to launch this spring, it focuses on some of the lesser-known city stories, from lower Manhattan’s Little Syria with only three remaining buildings, to Death Avenue AKA Hudson Yards.”
- Nina Roberts, March 03, 2024
BK Reader: Brooklyn Public Library Names Winners of Business Plan Contest
“Other winning ventures included New York Narratives (walking tour company), Empress by Emicia (art print company), Gina Andremise (jewelry brand), Eat the Invaders (artisan food company), and more.”
- BK Reader Staff, November 23, 2023
The Brooklyn Public Library was one of the first institutions to acknowledge, support, and fund us. We simply would not exist without them!
Our Partners
The Friends of the Lower West Side has provided us with mentorship; gifted us books, maps, and archival material; and, most importantly, given us the honor of inheriting their Lower West Side tour and legacy!
The Washington Street Historical Society has invested a great deal of time and effort to work with us, support us, and train us to lead our Little Syria tour with their blessing! You can check out their virtual tour for a preview.