From Celebration to Transition: Stories Shaping Our Community Right Now
As we move through March, we find ourselves reflecting on the people, partnerships, and places that continue to shape the work of Kultivate Labs. This moment holds both celebration and transition—an opportunity to uplift leaders, share what we’re learning, and acknowledge shifts within our community.
Honoring Women Leading in Community Spaces
In recognition of International Women’s Month, we want to take a moment to uplift a group of incredible women who have been instrumental in shaping the cultural and community landscape alongside Kultivate Labs this year.
Kristen Brillantes Reyes
(Sarap Shop)
Championing Filipino food culture and creating pathways for emerging culinary entrepreneurs.
Gina Rosales
(Make It Mariko | Brave New Spaces)
Driving forward creative production and helping activate spaces with intention and energy.
Deanna Sison
(Victory Hall | Mestiza)
Cultivating spaces that center culture, gathering, and shared experience.
Cheryl Ramirez
(Izzy and Wooks)
Creating vibrant, welcoming environments through food, hospitality, and community connection.
Susie Kagami
(KOHO)
Reimagining what accessible, community-rooted co-working can look like in Japantown and beyond.
Katy Birnbaum
(Into The Streets)
Leading large-scale cultural activations that bring people back into public spaces.
These leaders are not only building businesses—they are building spaces, creating opportunities, and strengthening the fabric of our communities.
We are grateful to be in community with each of these leaders and excited for what we continue to build together.
Reflections from Funding the Commons: Culture, Community, and AI
Recently, we had the honor of participating in FtC, where we stepped into a conversation that felt both urgent and deeply human: how communities are grappling with the rise of AI.
Rather than approaching AI with blind optimism, we chose to be real about what many are feeling—uncertainty, anxiety, and even fear.
Naming the Tension
Across communities, there is a growing concern:
Will AI replace human creativity?
Will culture be flattened or diluted?
Who gets to shape these tools—and who gets left out?
We leaned into these questions honestly, recognizing that these concerns are valid, especially for communities whose histories and identities have already been marginalized.
Reframing the Opportunity
At the same time, we explored a different possibility: what if AI could also be a tool for cultural preservation and amplification?
We highlighted the work of Kristian Kabuay, whose exploration of Baybayin and Filipino identity demonstrates how technology can help document, reinterpret, and share culture in new ways.
His work offers a glimpse into how AI and digital tools might:
Preserve endangered cultural knowledge
Expand access to cultural education
Inspire new forms of creative expression rooted in identity
a snippet of Kristian Kabuay’s slide deck introducing his voice / chat / baybayin AI applications
Our Contribution
During our talk, we shared the story of Kultivate Labs—how our work in building cultural districts, activating public spaces, and supporting creative entrepreneurs is fundamentally about protecting and evolving culture.
We emphasized that technology alone is not the answer—community is.
If AI is to play a role in the future, it must be shaped by the people, stories, and cultural contexts that give it meaning.
David Dao, Researcher at Protocol Labs, sharing his keynote about “Governing the Commons in the Intelligence Age”, March 14, 2026, Frontier Tower, Funding the Commons Festival
A Meaningful Exchange
What made the experience especially powerful was connecting with a community that wasn’t just excited about AI—but was actively questioning its impact on human flourishing.
It was an honor to contribute our perspective: that culture is not something to be disrupted or replaced—but something to be protected, carried forward, and reimagined—with intention.
SF Music Week Launch: A Strong Start
We’re also excited to share the successful launch of 2nd AnnualSF Music Week, which marked a powerful moment for San Francisco’s music and creative community.
The campaign generated over 500,000 views across social media, signaling strong interest and momentum behind the initiative.
SF Music Week Industry Summit Panels | Photos by: @sznphotography
We were especially honored to feature Ruby Ibarra as our keynote speaker—bringing depth, perspective, and a powerful voice that reflects the richness of the Bay Area’s cultural and musical landscape.
SF Music Week is about more than events—it’s about building infrastructure for artists, creating pathways for connection, and elevating the role of music in the cultural and economic future of San Francisco.
We’re just getting started.
G Circle / Uncle Tito Rooftop Series: MERIENDA & CHILLLL, Saturday, 3/28, Oakland, CA
Celebrating 10 Years of Uncle Tito
This year marks a major milestone for one of our longest-standing community partners: Uncle Tito.
Many in the community remember their early days as Straight-Up, when they first joined our SEED program. Since then, they’ve grown, evolved, and rebranded into the Uncle Tito we know today.
For over a decade, they’ve been part of the Kultivate Labs family—contributing to the energy, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of SOMA Pilipinas.
As they enter their next chapter, we are actively working to help them find a new home within the cultural district so they can continue to thrive.
SALAMAT: One Last 80s Dance Party at Executive Order | SOMA Fil-Am Night, Saturday, 03/21, San Francisco, CA
Closing of Executive Order
We also want to acknowledge the closing of Executive Order, a space that has meant a great deal to our community.
Over the years, Executive Order has hosted countless events, after-parties, and gatherings—serving as a hub for connection, celebration, and creativity.
While it’s always difficult to see a beloved space close, we are grateful for everything they’ve contributed and the memories created within those walls.
We wish their team the very best in whatever comes next and look forward to supporting their future endeavors.
Looking Ahead
Moments like this—where we celebrate leadership, reflect on our work, and acknowledge change—remind us that community is always evolving.
At Kultivate Labs, we remain committed to building spaces, supporting leaders, and fostering connections that strengthen our cultural ecosystem.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us.
Get Involved: Join Our Board
As we look ahead to the next chapter of our work, we are actively seeking new Board Members who believe in the power of culture, community, and creative entrepreneurship to shape San Francisco’s future.
We’re looking for individuals who can bring:
Strategic thinking and leadership
Women / LGBTQ perspectives
Architectural background a plus
Networks and resources that can help us grow sustainably
If you’re interested—or know someone who might be a strong fit—we’d love to connect.
Reach out to start the conversation.
— Desi Danganan
