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Black-Owned Brooklyn is a community-rooted publication documenting Black Brooklyn.
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04/11/2024

Happy Black Solidarity Day, Massive! Did you grow up celebrating this holiday?

First held on November 3, 1969, Black Solidarity Day is observed each year, strategically on the Monday before Election Day. While it has continued in pockets of African American and Caribbean communities across the U.S., its deepest roots are in New York City, especially Brooklyn, where the holiday originated.

Against the backdrop of the Black Power Movement, Panamanian-born activist, scholar, playwright and Brooklyn resident Carlos E. Russell conceived of Black Solidarity Day to protest systemic inequalities that persisted after the Civil Rights Movement. On this day, Black people were urged to take the day off from work and school, not shop at white-owned establishments, and gather to find meaningful solutions for their community’s future.

Thousands participated in the first Black Solidarity Day in 1969, and its observance gained momentum for decades. If you grew up attending Brooklyn public schools, you’ll recall that Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn Heights, Ocean Hill-Brownsville, Crown Heights and Flatbush school districts had Black Solidarity Day off for many years as an official part of the holiday calendar!

Designed to show the economic and social power of Black unity, the idea was inspired by the 1965 Douglas Turner Ward play “Day of Absence,” in which a Southern town is paralyzed by the sudden disappearance of its Black residents.

Dr. Russell’s legacy lives on through the powerful holiday he created. Before his passing in 2018, he also served as a professor and dean at Brooklyn College, as well as the Panamanian Ambassador for the U.N. On this Black Solidarity Day, his vision for Black self-determination and collective power remains as urgent and vital as ever.

PHOTOS
1 | Flyer, 1990
2-3 | Black Solidarity Parade, 1972 (Ron Tyson, The Daily Worker and The Daily World)
4 | New York Amsterdam News, 1969
5 | Flyer, 1979
6-7 | Black Solidarity Parade, 1972 (Ron Tyson, The Daily Worker and The Daily World)
8 | Flyer, 1989 (NYU Archives Collections)
9 | Flyer, 1970
10 | Portrait of Carlos E. Russell (Fernando Bramwell, The Daily Worker and The Daily World)

29/08/2024

Photos submitted by .torrence

“This was from the Brooklyn Million Youth March in 2003 on Fulton and Nostrand. At the time, I was 31 and a board member of Black Veterans for Social Justice. The organization’s founder, Baba Job Mashariki, was asked to speak to the youth, but he felt I would be better suited.

Several dignitaries were on the stage. Fred Hampton Jr. spoke right before me. But after hearing some of the revolutionary speakers, I noticed a disconnect — a lot of talk about what the youth weren’t doing compared to past generations, how the youth needed to be more active and take to the streets. I believe that every generation will do things their own way, and it’s not our place to ostracize or lambast them.

To remind everyone that we were once in their shoes, I remember starting my speech with the words of the George Benson/Whitney Houston song ‘The Greatest Love of All’: I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside. Give them a sense of pride to make it easier. Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be.” —Attika (.torrence)

We’d love to see your own memories! We’re looking for snapshots and stories that celebrate the unique spirit of Black Brooklyn. Share your archival photos at [email protected].

26/08/2024

Photos submitted by .halseystreet

“These photos were taken at a 1970s block party in Bedford-Stuyvesant, on Halsey Street and Ralph Avenue. I found them among family photos in my grandma’s house on Halsey Street. In these shots are my grandma and our next-door neighbor Ms. Powell.

My grandmother’s name is Annie Claude Stembridge, and she was originally from a rural town in Georgia called Sparta. My grandparents moved to Brooklyn in the mid-1950s as part of the Great Migration, taking risks and making sacrifices to build a better life. Their house on Halsey Street is a symbol of a dream come true. It is the nucleus of our family. It holds the archives; it is home.

My grandma and Ms. Powell were active members of the Block Association. She also owned a restaurant where the laundromat currently is, and she was a founding member of the community garden that still exists today.

Looking at these photos makes me feel nostalgic, like things will never be the same. I am reminded that I am a part of something bigger. I ask myself: What does it mean to uphold a legacy? Will we be forgotten? Who will share and protect our stories? How am I learning from the past and cultivating a future that honors my roots?” —Sydney (.halseystreet)

We’d love to see your own memories! We’re looking for snapshots and stories that celebrate the unique spirit of Black Brooklyn. Share your archival photos at [email protected].

23/08/2024

“I took this photo at Fort Greene Park in ‘82 or ‘83 at a rally for the Nation of Gods and Earths. We were all around 18 or 19. The rallies were like family reunions for us — a time to connect, elevate each other and spread knowledge.

Our style, which people now call hip hop, was just how we dressed. Brooklyn in those days was the greatest place on the planet. We watched hip hop grow from DJs playing in the streets to something bigger, but to us, it was an everyday part of our lives.

Some of those brothers in the photo aren’t with us anymore; we lost some after crack hit the scene. It fractured us, but for those of us who made it through, the Nation has remained a grounding force. It’s our culture, something that keeps us focused and protected.

I’ve had this picture for decades, and every now and then I reflect on it. I can’t say we were innocent. We were mischievous, we were developing, we were young men trying to gain our own identity. But we all traveled with each other in community. The best way I can describe it is that we were building.” —Cumar

We’d love to see your own memories! We’re looking for snapshots and stories that celebrate the unique spirit of Black Brooklyn. Share your archival photos at [email protected].

20/08/2024

There’s a special kind of magic in a Brooklyn summer. As the season winds down, we’re kicking off a photo series of summertime memories that capture the essence of our community.
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“Summer nights with the family. Bed-Stuy, around 1989-1990. Captured by my father, Robert Cave Sr., in front of my grandmother’s house on Quincy Street between Bedford and Franklin. This photo features my grandmother, my mother, aunts, uncles and cousins, though it’s only half of us. We gathered like this often, so it’s hard to tell the occasion, but judging by the plates and cups, I’d guess it was a barbecue. I’m standing on the steps in a white shirt and denim shorts.

The neighborhood back then was rough — broken sidewalks, broken glass, crack vials, graffiti everywhere — but I loved it. The atmosphere was loving. On our street there were so many families with kids the same age that it really felt like one huge family. The facades of brownstones still delight me.” —Eurila ()

We’d love to see your own memories! We’re looking for snapshots and stories that celebrate the unique spirit of Black Brooklyn. Share your archival photos at [email protected].

16/06/2024

Yesterday’s Juneteenth Food Festival was a dream.

We’re incredibly proud of our third year of partnering with to bring you an excellent lineup of Brooklyn’s most delicious food businesses, dynamic cultural performances and a super special artisan market.

But best of all was the intergenerational community we built as we ate, danced and celebrated together. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us. There are many more thank you’s (and photos!) coming your way, but for now, we hope you enjoy this glimpse of the beautiful day we shared.

Photos by and

12/06/2024

When we and our partners at envisioned this Saturday’s Juneteenth Food Festival, one goal was to showcase an incredible lineup of Black food and culture — and we’ve achieved just that!

We also sought to create an intergenerational space where our entire community — the cool kids, cherished elders, young families and all the in-betweens — can come together to commemorate Juneteenth. There is no place more fitting than historic Weeksville, a sanctuary that once stood as one of the largest free African American communities before the Civil War.

In addition to food from some of the best Black restaurants, pop-ups and food trucks, Saturday will feature a vibrant marketplace with local artisans and makers; performances by world champion double-dutch team ; a food demo and craft activities led by co-authors of “The Juneteenth Cookbook,” and ; dance workshops from q***r BIPOC art collective ; restorative yoga with ; life-sized games by .co and more; all with the legendary DJ collective on the 1s and 2s.

This Saturday, step into a world lovingly crafted for joy, reflection, celebration and leisure. For more details, tap the link in our bio. We can’t wait to see you there!

Photos by &

09/06/2024

Our Juneteenth Food Festival celebrates Black Brooklyn with more than 30 food vendors, and the event is grounded in rich African American culinary traditions. Get ready for fried fish and chicken, red beans and rice, cornbread, red velvet cake, homemade ice cream and, of course, barbecue. Holly Drew, chef and owner of , will bring a taste of Texas tradition with her slow-smoked brisket and other Southern-inspired delights.

RSVP for the Juneteenth Food Festival at the link in our bio!

07/06/2024

We’re excited to welcome back to this year’s Juneteenth Food Festival! As experts in “seafood with soul,” co-owners Gwendolyn Niles and Fifi Bell-Clanton have everything: steamed Alaskan snow crab legs, crab tacos, crab mac and cheese, crab cake sliders, crab tater tots and more. For the festival, they’ll focus on their famous crab, lobster and “clobster” rolls. Plus, in July they’re celebrating 10 years in business! 🎈Join us in congratulating Gwen and Fifi — and RSVP to the festival through the link in our bio!

06/06/2024

At our Juneteenth Food Festival on June 15 at Weeksville Heritage Center, prepare for abundant plant-based options from multiple vegan-friendly vendors. Quiaufa (key-AH-fa) Royes, chef and owner of , will be plating up full-flavored vegan dishes inspired by the soulful traditions of her South Carolina heritage.
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“I’m from Brooklyn — Brownsville originally — but my family’s from Sumter, South Carolina. I grew up cooking soul food with my aunts and grandmother, and now I translate these cultural dishes into my business.

When I first started the company, I was doing international cuisine in an attempt to make everyone happy. I called my business Chef Sherri’s Catering because it sounded more corporate — even though I’ve always gone by my middle name, Quiaufa. Nobody calls me Sherri. Eventually I decided to be more authentically me and serve what I like. I changed my business name to Quiaufa’s Kitchen, and now I do plant-based soul food. We can enjoy the food we grew up eating and put a twist on it. We don’t have to throw away our identity and history.

For the Juneteenth Food Festival, I’m definitely bringing our soul rolls. It’s vegan mac and cheese, black and white greens, and candied yams in an egg roll wrapper, then fried and served with maple hot sauce. It’s like Thanksgiving all wrapped together. I’m also thinking of doing either our crab cake sandwich made with hearts of palm and artichoke hearts; or the barbecue rib sandwich made from Impossible ground and rice, topped with our house-made sauce; as well as a grilled corn. And definitely our watermelon drink, so we’ll have a red drink for Juneteenth.”

RSVP for the Juneteenth Food Festival at the link in our bio!

28/05/2024

PART 2 of 2: At ’s DanceAfrica Bazaar this past weekend, cultural tradition met personal style for an abundance of looks celebrating individuality and our shared African heritage. Swipe through for Part 2 of a series. All photos by Laylah Amatullah Barrayn ()

28/05/2024

PART 1 of 2: DanceAfrica 2024 kicked off at this Memorial Day weekend, with performances highlighting the rich heritage of Cameroon, as well as its beloved bazaar featuring more than 150 vendors selling crafts, food and fashion. And the street style? Vibes on VIBES.

Among the sea of 30,000 beautiful people who came out, these are the looks we can’t get over. All photos by the incomparable Laylah Amatullah Barrayn ().

22/05/2024

📣 Calling All Volunteers! 📣

Help us make the 3rd Annual Juneteenth Food Festival the best one yet! We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join our team on June 15.

This is your chance to gain hands-on experience in running a large-scale event while contributing to a memorable community experience. Sign up for a shift at the link in our bio!

17/05/2024

Mark your calendars: and Jummy’s Picks by are joining forces again for our third annual Juneteenth Food Festival on Saturday, June 15th, from 11 am - 8 pm!

RSVP Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/juneteenth-food-festival-tickets-906937102287?aff=oddtdtcreator

This vibrant event is steeped in tradition. Food has been a central part of Juneteenth since its first observance in 1866, commemorating June 19, 1865 — when enslaved Texans received news of their freedom. The Juneteenth Food Festival brings together 30+ food businesses for a delicious celebration of Black cuisine, as well as a marketplace of apparel, accessories, books, self-care products and more, all from local Black brands.

Attendees will also enjoy music from the legendary Soul Summit DJ collective, double dutch with the Jazzy Jumpers, dance performances and workshops by Haus of Glitter, restorative yoga led by Sensate Wellness, art-making activities, food demos, book signings and more. We hope you’ll join us for an unforgettable day of Black food, culture, history and joy.

16/04/2024

Celebrate Black Maternal Health Week with a revisit to our 2020 story on . Founded in 2008 by Chanel-Porchia-Albert, the Bed-Stuy organization provides vital doula care and support for people of color and low-income families — ensuring better maternal health outcomes for all.
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“I was walking barefoot in Saratoga Park — and hugging trees. I don’t know if that’s a good idea, but that’s what I was doing,” says Chanel Porchia-Albert as she describes laboring with her first child in 2008, just before giving birth at her home in Bed-Stuy. “It was an eye-opening experience filled with positivity and self-awareness of my body.”

Chanel was so moved, three months later she started training to become a doula. She went on to create Ancient Song, offering full-spectrum doula services and birth education classes specifically for people of color and low-income families. In addition to supporting pregnant people with emotional support, information and advocacy, the organization also trains a workforce of doulas to address maternal health inequities.

Ancient Song was initially designed as a private business, until Chanel observed the shoddy treatment of her clients. “Medicaid patients were completely dismissed — waiting four to five hours for prenatal care, only to be seen for like 10 minutes,” she says. “I saw Child Protective Services used as a tool to get people to comply with medical interventions they didn’t want.”

Chanel offers doula services on a sliding scale depending on income. Services are free for those who otherwise can’t afford care. No family is turned away. Ancient Song doulas focus on birth as a human right, with a reproductive justice lens that affirms communities of color.

“Another component is helping people understand that we’re standing in the hope and resiliency of those who came before us,” Chanel says. “We’re here to affirm someone wanting to bring children into the world, and we focus on the joy around that, you know?” || 521 Halsey St. —By Jazmin Ali ()

23/03/2024

‎Show A long way from the block, Ep Ep. 94-The Sun Rises in The East—my conversation with Tayo and Cynthia Giwa - Mar 18, 2024

21/03/2024

Calling all Black chefs, food makers, crafters and creatives: and Jummy’s Picks by are bringing back the *Juneteenth Food Festival* for its third year on Sat, June 15th! We’re now accepting applications from culinary and craft vendors to join us in this vibrant celebration of Black food and culture. Spread the word, tag your favorite vendors, and APPLY to be a vendor to help us grow this year’s festival. Applications are due by April 5th: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScaS1-Cb0h1lGX4NM-FUhlBTpExAHNvZ02g2vS6GqHnuWU2Lw/viewform

31/01/2024

Join us on Thu, Feb. 8, for an evening at the Center for Brooklyn History that looks to our community’s past, while connecting its lessons to the present and future.

“The Legacy of The East, Brooklyn’s Center for Black Self-Determination” will dive deep into the movement of The East, a pan-African cultural collective that blossomed into a hub for education, creativity and activism in 1970s Brooklyn. Featuring clips from “The Sun Rises in The East” film, a panel of educators, community organizers and artists will discuss the parallels between past struggles and present-day activism — and chart a course for the future.

Moderated by Danielle Belton, editor-in-chief of HuffPost, the panel includes:
⭐️ Lumumba Akinwole-Bandele, director of community organizing & advocacy at the Alliance of Families for Justice (and former member of The East)
⭐️ Fela Barclift, founder & director of Little Sun People (and former member of The East)
⭐️ Zakiyah Ansari, interim executive director of the Alliance for Quality Education
⭐️ Paperboy Love Prince, artist, activist and presidential candidate
⭐️ Tayo Giwa, director of “The Sun Rises in The East” and co-creator of Black-Owned Brooklyn

Don't miss this unforgettable evening of reflection, inspiration and solidarity! RSVP: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/calendar/cbh-talk-legacy-east-center-for-brooklyn-20240208

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(1/2) Ever dreamed of a place where you can get lost in a good book, sip on a little something, and connect with kindred spirits? That dream is alive at Liz’s Book Bar (@lizsbookbar). Philly-born writer Maura Cheeks opened her bookstore-bar hybrid in Carroll Gardens in June, just four months after dropping her debut novel “Acts of Forgiveness.” With its blend of books, drinks from coffee to wine, and a vibrant lineup of events, Liz’s Book Bar is redefining the neighborhood gathering space. || 315 Smith St. #blackownedbrooklyn Photos: @curthoranesaunders for Black-Owned Brooklyn, @lizsbookbar, @lampblack_lit/@shotbyeliana

(1/2) Celebrate your next happy hour at Deià (@thedeianyc), an intimate cocktail bar with modern design, thoughtfully selected music and a “grown and sexy” atmosphere. Founded in February by Flatbush native Junn Joly, the space combines elements of Japanese listening lounges and Spanish tapas bars while maintaining that Little Caribbean vibe. || 642 Rogers Ave. #blackownedbrooklyn

For over six decades, Fulton Art Fair has been a mainstay of summer in Bed-Stuy. You might be familiar with the line of local artists displaying their work along the fence of Fulton Park, reliably for three weekends every June. But what about the story behind it? To illuminate the groundbreaking origins and enduring legacy of Fulton Art Fair, we repurposed raw interviews from various Black-Owned Brooklyn projects over the years, and wove them together with archival and current photos. Born from the vision of Bed-Stuy businesswoman Shirley Hawkins and renowned African American artists Jacob Lawrence and Ernest Crichlow, the fair is celebrating *66 years* this month! This year’s run closes after June 22-23, so don’t miss your chance to experience it this summer. We intentionally employed a cinematic style to tell this story with the stature and reverence it deserves. Too often, the contributions and rich traditions of our community are overlooked or taken for granted. We hope this video inspires you to stop, look closer, and learn more about this longstanding Black institution.

(1/2) Studio Dem (@studio_dem) is a vintage clothing store with a twist — in addition to pre-loved statement pieces, it also showcases new creations by Caribbean designers and artisans. Opened in May 2022 by Michelene Auguste, a model from Trinidad & Tobago, the Williamsburg shop is a vibrant experience that celebrates style, community and heritage. || 241 Wythe Ave. #blackownedbrooklyn

(1/2) Dorsey’s Fine Art Gallery (@dorseysfineartgallery) in Flatbush has been a cornerstone of Brooklyn’s art scene for more than five decades. Founded by Lawrence P. Dorsey in 1970, today the gallery is managed by his granddaughter Naima Wood, who is beautifully continuing the family’s legacy. || 553 Rogers Ave., Saturdays & Sundays 1-5 pm #blackownedbrooklyn

TOMORROW, Feb. 20, at 6:30 PM, our documentary “The Sun Rises in The East” is playing at @nyugallatin! After the film, stay for a panel discussion featuring Segun Shabaka and Malika Iman, former members of The East. Admission is free and open to all. RSVP link is in our bio! Taking us back to 1969, the film centers on The East, a Pan-African cultural organization that was founded by teens and young adults — and blossomed into an independent Black nation in the heart of Bed-Stuy. The East had their own Afrocentric school, clothing shop, bookstore, food co-op, restaurant, newspaper, jazz club, even a farm in Guyana. They had everything! The documentary chronicles how they did it, their challenges in staying afloat, and their enduring legacy of Black self-determination. Hope you’ll join us in celebrating this radical Black history. ❤️🖤💚

Still a few seats left for our screening of “The Sun Rises in The East” TONIGHT at @nitehawkcinema in Williamsburg! After the film, stay for a panel discussion moderated by culture writer @timmhotep. (Ticket link in bio.) Tonight’s film screening kicks off NYC Winter JazzFest (@nycwjf), which pays tribute to The East across 3 events this month. A Pan-African cultural organization founded in 1969 by young people in Bed-Stuy, The East blossomed into an independent Black nation in Central Brooklyn with more than a dozen of its own businesses — including a school, clothing shop, bookstore, food co-op, newsmagazine, even a farm in Guyana. The East was also host to amazing music, drawing world-famous artists to their performance venue and running an avant-garde jazz label. Check out @nycwjf’s full lineup of events celebrating the legacy of this influential yet little-remembered organization: ⭐️ TONIGHT at 7 pm: Screening of “The Sun Rises in The East” at @nitehawkcinema Williamsburg, followed by a panel discussion ⭐️ 1/13: As part of the festival’s Jazz Talks series, a panel discussion on the music of The East w/ Basir Mchawi, Ahmed Abdullah and Fela Barclift at @moxywilliamsburg, moderated by @_marcusjmoore ⭐️ 1/14: “A Night at The East” concert feat. Gary Bartz and Billy Hart, two original performers at The East, plus @shabakahutchings, @blackearthmuse, @cobratoof, @theofficialdavidmurray, Julius Rodríguez, Moor Mother, Charles Burnham, @djspinna and more at @crownhilltheatre Check out @nycwjf for more on these essential events, and hope to see you tonight!

We’re proud to kick off NYC Winter JazzFest tomorrow with a screening of our film “The Sun Rises in The East,” followed by a talkback, at the Williamsburg Nitehawk Cinema. (Ticket link in bio!) It’s the first of 3 @nycwjf events this month paying tribute to The East — a Black Brooklyn cultural collective founded by teens and young adults in 1969, which created more than a dozen of its own Bed-Stuy businesses and institutions, including a legendary avant-garde jazz club and record label. ⭐️ TOMORROW, 1/4: Screening of “The Sun Rises in The East” at @nitehawkcinema Williamsburg, followed by a panel discussion ⭐️ 1/13: As part of the festival’s Jazz Talks series, a panel discussion on the music of The East w/ Basir Mchawi, Ahmed Abdullah and Fela Barclift at @moxywilliamsburg ⭐️ 1/14: A concert feat. Gary Bartz and Billy Hart, two original performers at The East, plus Shabaka, Julius Rodríguez, Moor Mother, Nicole Mitchell, Elucid, David Murray, Charles Burnham, DJ Spinna & more at @crownhilltheatre Check out @nycwjf for more info on these essential events, and see you tomorrow! 🖤✊🏾

Happy New Year! We’re kicking off 2024 with NYC Winter JazzFest (@nycwjf). As part of a 3-day lineup celebrating the musical legacy of The East, THIS THURSDAY 1/4 at 7 pm at @nitehawkcinema in Williamsburg, we’re showing our documentary “The Sun Rises in The East.” After the film, join us for a talk with members of this pan-African cultural collective that flourished in 1970s Bed-Stuy. Tickets ($10) at the link in our bio. The celebration culminates with a concert on 1/14 at @crownhilltheatre that reimagines the legendary jazz performances that took place at The East. Stay tuned for details!

We’ve been quiet the past several weeks — giving ourselves some space and grace to enjoy the summer — but we’re still about our work in the community. And as we say in this @abcgma3 feature on Black-Owned Brooklyn, which aired today, there’s so much more we want to do (stay tuned)! Many thanks to GMA3 producer @skatecaliguire for sharing our story, and much love to @cafeconlibros_bk, @amanimarket.bk and @marcheruedix for being a part of it. 🖤 #blackownedbrooklyn #blackbusinessmonth

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