In the latest installment of our Family Portraits series, meet Blanca Beltran, Daryl Dismond, Rokiatou Doumbia, and Brando Leynes—members of our fam at The Standard, High Line. We're happy to know them, and thankful to work alongside them. Say "hey" to them the next time you're there. You're part of our family, too.
BLANCA BELTRAN
Name: Blanca BeltranPeople say I’m…
Years at The Standard, High Line: 1.5 years
Position: Sales Associate at The Shop
From:
"I was born and raised here in Hell’s Kitchen, and my family’s from Ecuador."
Astrological Sign: Virgo
"I’m always laughing about something."
Common misconceptions about you:
"That I look serious sometimes, but I’m not. I’m really sweet. I don’t bite."
What quality do you most admire in others?
"I like people when they’re honest and humble."
Secret talent:
"I would say makeup. I’m also a poet. I write a lot of poetry, but I don’t perform as much as I used to. Not a lot of people know that."
Proudest “life” moment:
"I felt very accomplished when I finished college while pregnant. Also, last year I went to Peru—I visited a school there, and my girlfriend and I donated a bunch of school supplies to them. They didn’t even speak Spanish—they spoke the indigenous language of Quechua."
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
"I like to travel and go to different places to try new food, writing poetry, and photography."
Passion project:
"My photography. I’ve been following the moon every night and catching the moon in its different phases. I want to print them out and frame them. It’s going to be a special piece I put in my apartment, and I have some people interested in it for themselves, too!"
Favorite song of all time:
"Michael Jackson's 'Rock with You.'"
DARYL DISMOND
Name: Daryl DismondPeople say I’m…
Years at The Standard, High Line: 3 years
Position: Matre’d at The Standard Grill
From: Flint, MI
Astrological Sign: Libra
"Friendly and good-looking."
Common misconceptions about you:
"That I’m a gigolo."
What quality do you most admire in others?
"Kindness, generosity."
Secret talent:
"I’m a drummer."
Proudest “life” moment:
"Having a child, performing on Broadway in Salome with Al Pacino, and being a Big Ten champion in track when I was in college."
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
"Play tennis. Eat great food. Drink wine."
Passion project:
"Working on a TV show. Writing, producing."
Favorite song of all time:
"It’s impossible to pick my favorite, but a top ten is Marvin Gaye's 'What’s Going On?'”
ROKIATOU DOUMBIA
Name: Rokiatou DoumbiaPeople say I’m…
Years at The Standard, High Line: 4 years
Position: Prep Cook
From: West Africa
Astrological Sign: Pisces
"Very nice."
What quality do you most admire in others?
"When they are kind."
Secret talent:
"I’m a great dancer with my kids."
Proudest “life” moment:
"Having children."
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
"Spend time with my family and cook for them."
Passion project:
"Planning and saving for my trip to Mali to see my family."
Favorite song of all time:
"I love Beyoncé. Lemonade is good!"
BRANDO LEYNES
Name: Brando LeynesPeople say I’m…
Years at The Standard, High Line: 8 years
Position: Houseman
From: Queens, NY
Astrological Sign: Scorpio
"Hardworking, funny, kind, honest, and loyal."
Common misconceptions about you:
"That I’m a snob and I’m quiet."
What quality do you most admire in others?
"Intelligence and versatility."
Secret talent:
"I’m a handyman."
Proudest “life” moment:
"When my daughters graduated from college summa cum laude and cum laude."
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
"To be with my family and spend quality time with them."
Passion project:
"To have my own business."
Favorite song of all time:
“'Endless Love' by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie."
