Hy Local Guides, 
As we continue to celebrate diversity, community & belonging in this Pride Month 
, our journey moves forward with incredible momentum. Creating a world that is genuinely safe, welcoming & accessible requires continuous effort, and today, we are turning our spotlight 
toward another remarkable voice who is actively transforming how we connect with our surroundings and each other.
For this Pride with Local Guides, we are honouring a local guide who beautifully demonstrates that mapping isn’t just about collecting points - it is also about mapping with “affection” & building community bridges.
Meet Sarah
@SarahKa, a Level 
Local Guide from Brazil, has been a dedicated contributor on Google Maps since 2017, transforming how we explore through her participation in the Local Guides Summit 2017 & ConnectLIVE 2025 in New York. Recognized as an Inclusive Mapper of Guiding Star 2021 and an Accessibility Champion 
, she embodies the collaborative spirit that drives our community forward, always aiming to help people feel more confident and prepared when exploring new places through her reviews, photos, road edits & accessibility insights. She also was in Team TracHers 
, led by @Cecilita in this year’s TRAC campaign, initiated by @SholaIB with adding more than 1000 roads 
on Google Maps. Her vibrant contributions on Connect showcase a deep engagement with the community, including hosting discussions on accessibility , organizing food walks 
, achieving her first goal of 2026 
& sharing valuable insights on local culture 
, special day celebrations 
, community scavenger hunts 
& effective review writing 
. Furthermore, Sarah is highly active in organizing in-person meetups 
, facilitating virtual meetups 
& empowering local women-owned businesses .
Let’s get to know more about on how Sarah contributes on Google Maps:
- You have been a Local Guide since 2017. What do you think of the values of inclusivity among local guides ?
Answer: One of the things Sarah values most is that everyone is welcome to contribute, regardless of their background, language, culture, or abilities. She emphasizes that inclusivity is not only about who participates but also about who benefits from our contributions. Every accessibility detail added, every honest review written & every photo 
shared can help someone feel more comfortable and confident visiting a place. Sarah believes that Local Guides around the world bring different perspectives & together, they create a more complete and welcoming map.
- You often talk about mapping with “affection”. Is there a specific place in Brazil that you consider a safe space for being both inclusive and accessible
?
Answer: Sarah highlights several spots that hold this spirit, including Yanã Bar, Sapucaí Street, where you can find many bars and an amazing view, Mercado Novo, a great place to try delicious drinks and food & Galeria São Vicente, which is also wonderful for drinks 
and food 
.
- We all have that one “hidden gem” on Google Maps that we wish more people knew about. Can you share a favorite inclusive accessible spot that you discovered recently?
Answer: Sarah shares that the museum was highlighted by @Tiagoportilho during a scavenger hunt & added on Google Maps.
- As an Accessibility Champion , what are the small, often-overlooked details that make a space truly inclusive for all people?
Answer: Sarah believes some of the most important details are the least visible. These include clear signage, well-trained staff, accessible restrooms (doors and inside), good lighting, quiet spaces & menus that are easy to read. She also values accurate online information, the availability of both QR Code and physical menus, Wi-Fi 
& family spaces 
. Sarah emphasizes that inclusion is also about respect and communication; observing how visitors are treated is vital to feeling if a space is truly inclusive.
- You are passionate about highlighting and supporting women-led businesses. What specific qualities do you look for to highlight in your reviews ?
Answer: Sarah pays attention to how customers are welcomed and whether the space feels safe, comfortable & accessible to people from different backgrounds. She loves learning the story behind the business, especially if it is family-run. When writing reviews , she highlights unique details: traditions passed down, signature recipes, community initiatives, or accessibility features. Her goal is to help others discover places that are memorable for what makes them different from anywhere else. As she has shared in her insights on how to write meaningful reviews, she focuses on sharing information that genuinely helps others, ensuring every review acts as a helpful guide for the community.
- How do you see the local guides community coming together to make cities more welcoming for everyone
?
Answer: Sarah sees Brazilian Local Guides making cities 
more welcoming by sharing practical information that is often unavailable elsewhere, such as accessibility updates , road edits & community discussions 
. She has seen the community grow stronger through meet-ups and online conversations, which allow them to maintain connections and exchange experiences. She is encouraged by the increasing interest in these topics and hopes to see more in-person gatherings and collaborative projects in the near future.
Thank you Sarah, for your continued dedication to making our communities more open, accessible & inclusive for everyone. Let’s keep building a world that welcomes us all, one edit at a time.
Like Sarah, may we all continue to champion the spirit of affection, inclusivity & community in everything we do. Happy Pride Month .
to you for your thoughtful selection and for bringing inspiring stories like hers to the forefront 
You truly deserve this recognition. Through your story, I learned so much about your work, your values, and your commitment to making spaces more inclusive for everyone.
in your efforts to make the world a more inclusive place.
.
community & I am glad to highlight her journey and the amazing work she does. It is so inspiring to see the Brazilian community growing and more connected every day with the community.