In honor of Black History Month the Fort Greene Association (FGA) produced a community collaborative art exhibit. The works of three local Fort Greene - Clinton Hill artists with ties to Pratt Institute are on display in a vacant storefront located at 395 Flatbush Avenue Extension, part of Metrotech BID. “When we were approached by the Fort Greene Association to collaborate on this project, we were happy to be involved. This is the type of installation that, not only, celebrates a rich heritage and history, but it brings art into the public realm by enlivening a retail corridor and exposing fine artists to a wider market” said Catherine Hickey, Director of Retail / Commercial Development, Metrotech BID.

Passersby are greeted by a tribute to Fredrick Douglas created for the FGA’s Black History Month Tribute by Ryan Jones, a Pratt Fine Arts student who has a strong interest in the community and public works. Jamillah Jennings, Pratt alumna whose work is inspired by music and dance has four pieces on display: “African-American Dancers, Forces of Nature - Diana Harvey, Jazz in Motion and Modern Dancer.” Pratt alumna Kikelomo Amusa-Shonubi created for the FGA’s tribute Economic Stimulus, 1620 to 1850, a piece that exhibits the slave trade routes commonly taken to the New World and encourages viewers to think about how slavery has affected all of us here in the western hemisphere.

Black History Month murals were also created on the windows of local businesses in Fort Greene. Josh Friedman created a mural called “We Never Stop” inspired by the novel “Black Boy” by Richard Wright which can be seen at Fort Greene SNAP, 324 Myrtle Avenue. An African textile inspired piece dedicated to Brenda Brunson-Bey was created by a talented group of diverse and developmentally disabled adults from Brooklyn Day Hab. part of AHRC org. which can be seen at Kiki’s Pet Spa & Boutique, 239 Dekalb Avenue.

“The Fort Greene Association’s Black History Month Art Exhibit is a community collaborative project that showcases the neighborhood’s dynamic talent and exhibit’s what makes Fort Greene so special and unique” said Lillian Jean-Baptiste, FGA Communications and Community Engagement Chair. “It is long overdue that the Fort Greene Association enters into the tradition of Black History Month. Our neighborhood, and in fact this very organization, is indebted to the accomplishments of African Americans who live and have lived in this vibrant neighborhood. This tradition will become a beacon and inspiration for future generations across racial lines. It is what Fort Greene is about” said Paul Palazzo, FGA Chairperson.

The FGA’s Black History exhibit is on display now until February 28, 2011. The works exhibited at 395 Flatbush Avenue Extension are for sale by the artists; a portion of the proceeds will be donated to fund a program created by the FGA to encourage local youth facing financial hardships to attend college.

The Fort Greene Association’s Black History Month Celebration Continues
The Fort Greene Association in partnership with Fort Greene-Clinton Hill Patch for the month of February has been honoring the contributions African Americans made in Fort Greene. Each day we’ve recognized those who’ve made significant contributions in and around Fort Greene, individuals who’ve committed selfless acts to help others as well as recognize pioneers who’ve paved the road for others.

Please take a moment to meet some of our Black History Month honorees:

James Davis: A Political Life Cut Short. In only two years serving the 35th District the former policeman left his mark on the neighborhood
http://fortgreene.patch.com/articles/james-davis-a-political-life-cut-short

Dr. Susan McKinney Steward: A Legendary Brooklyn Doctor - the first black woman to earn a medical degree in New York
http://fortgreene.patch.com/articles/dr-susan-mckinney-steward-a-legendary-brooklyn-doctor

Florence Timothy: A Lifelong Community Activist. Native of Trinidad and Tobago dedicated much of her life to Fort Greene
http://fortgreene.patch.com/articles/florence-timonthy-a-lifelong-community-activist

Mary Pinkett: The City’s First Black Councilwoman Represented Ft. Greene; Mary Pinkett had a 28-year career
http://fortgreene.patch.com/articles/the-citys-first-black-councilwoman-represented-ft-greene

Giving and Receiving
A Report from the FGA Grants Committee

Thanks to the entire Fort Greene community who made the Annual Holiday Raffle a success. As a result the FGA was able to purchase over $2000 worth of Pathmark gift cards, to share with our neighbors in need. The certificates which were distributed through Queen of All Saints Food Pantry, Fort Greene SNAP, Church of St. Michael and St. Edward & Sacred Heart Church, helped provide Holiday dinners for over 100 families.

I stood in line with some of the recipients the cold morning before Christmas when the Fort Greene Association dropped off some of the certificates at the Queen of All Saints Church Food Pantry. The group assembled was cold, significantly underdressed for the weather, but determined, like one young mother, that there be food on the table for her child. Others were older, seemed more beaten down by their circumstances and their need. I can not say enough what this initiative means to the neediest in our community.

The FGA extends a huge thank you to the retailers who generously gave gift certificates to their establishments. Thanks to everyone who joined us at the Holiday Party buying all those raffle tickets. To everyone who brought food stuffs to the Holiday Party, we collected 15 very full grocery bags which were also donated to the Queen of All Saints Food Pantry.

For the fifth year in a row, the FGA supported the Brooklyn Pitbulls Pop Warner football teams. This year Lloyd and a good part of the oldest group of athletes joined us for the November General Meeting. Congratulations to Lloyd on the amazing program that he has assembled. Each year several of his top athletes and scholars move on to the best high schools in New York, using their on field skills and the carryover discipline that it brings to their studies.

The FGA also supported and promoted a night at the Irondale Center for The Civilian’s production ‘In the Footprint’, the story of the fight David against Goliath fight of our neighborhoods against the Atlantic Yards project. It was a wonderful night of local theatre, telling an important story in our own words.

Mary Priebe
FGA Grants

Have you been following the Fort Greene Association’s Black History Month Celebration?

The Fort Greene Association in partnership with Fort Greene-Clinton Hill Patch for the month of February has been honoring the contributions African Americans made in Fort Greene. Each day we’ve recognized those who’ve made significant contributions in and around Fort Greene, individuals who’ve committed selfless acts to help others as well as recognize pioneers who’ve paved the road for others.

Please take a moment to meet some of our Black History Month honorees

Herbert Scott-Gibson, The Father Fort Greene’s Historic District

http://fortgreene.patch.com/articles/the-father-of-the-ft-greene-historic-district

Ruth West brought soul to DeKalb Avenue
http://fortgreene.patch.com/articles/ruth-west-brought-soul-to-dekalb

Ibone and Bilal Muhammad founded a group that put Fulton Street on the map, a hub of African-American culture throughout the 1990s
http://fortgreene.patch.com/articles/bogolan-put-fulton-on-the-map

Rasheik Trammell, young local violinist makes it big performing at

Carnegie Hall

http://fortgreene.patch.com/articles/from-the-projects-to-carnegie-hall-local-violinist-makes-it-big

Danny Mixon, homegrown jazz legend, a star in his own right -

played alongside the likes of Charles Mingus during his lengthy

career

http://fortgreene.patch.com/articles/danny-mixon-a-homegrown-jazz-legend

Leroy Campbell, drawing art from adversity

http://fortgreene.patch.com/articles/leroy-campbell-drawing-art-from-adversity

Dr. English brought black theater to Fort Greene - 91-year-old woman with a laundry list of accomplishments key to the neighborhood’s arts scene

Laurie Cumbo founded an innovative art museum in Fort Greene
http://fortgreene.patch.com/articles/the-mastermind-behind-mocada

http://fortgreene.patch.com/articles/sherman-jones-a-tireless-fighter-for-ft-greene

Brenda Bunson-Bey opened a clothing store that showcases African

style - Seeking ‘Tribal Truths’ Through Fashion

Please visit daily http://fortgreene.patch.com/columns/black-history-month-in-ft-greene to meet the FGA’s Black History Month Honorees.