Arts & Entertainment

Star of Brooklyn: Inna Trinidad

September 24, 2013 Editorial Staff
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INNA TRINIDAD

SOCIAL MEDIA ADMINISTRATOR, RAGAMUFFIN COMMITTEE

 

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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Inna Trinidad is an active resident of Bay Ridge, a community she chose to call home eight years ago.

“Deep down, I’ve always had a burning desire to help and make a difference,” she said.

The Bay Ridgeite serves on the Ragamuffin Committee as a Facebook and Twitter administrator. In addition, Trinidad fundraises for the parade’s gift distribution.

“With increased annual parade cost, we have to get more and more creative on raising sufficient funding to make sure that every child goes home with a gift,” she said.

Trinidad, a member of the Merchants of Third Avenue, is also in charge of “all things digital” for the Summer Stroll.

Following Hurricane Sandy, Trinidad spent two days with other volunteers cleaning up Staten Island’s New Dorp Beach, and in Coney Island, assisting the elderly in high rise apartments by checking in on them and providing them with supplies.

“It was heartbreaking to see those who were helpless, as Coney Island was one of the last places to receive blankets, food and water,” said Trinidad. “Both days shed a tremendous amount of humility and reminded us to be grateful for what we have.”

CAREER: Trinidad co-owns Kaleidoscope Toy Store, 8722 Third Avenue, with husband Paul.

The two wanted to take over a struggling store and “after learning some of the unfortunate events that the past owner had experienced, we pulled our wedding funds together and invested every penny into Kaleidoscope (where she worked during college) to make sure that it did not disappear,” Trinidad explained.

The owners are currently remodeling their storefront and will be launching an online store soon. They also plan to expand to other neighborhoods.

“Kaleidoscope has given us a great opportunity to see the kids within the community grow alongside our almost 14-year-old business,” said Trinidad.

PERSONAL LIFE: Migrating from Moscow to the U.S., Trinidad and her parents settled in Seagate. She attended the High School of Art and Design and then went on to study at the School of Visual Arts. Trinidad and her husband, who are expecting their first child in December, have no plans to leave the neighborhood where they first met.

The toy store owner described her biggest challenge as “finding time to do everything,” including visiting family and friends in Long Island and Philadelphia.

MOTIVATION: Trinidad attributes her motivation to her “friendstomers,” friends and customers, and an innate desire to help: “After all, we’re the pillars of our community and we need to do what we can to make sure it thrives continuously.”


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