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

4W: An Artistic Haven on Fulton, a vital space for local artists to showcase their talents for close to 20 years
http://fortgreene.patch.com/articles/4w-an-artistic-haven-on-fulton

Moshood: African Style and Pride, the clothing store was an early part of the Afro-centric scene on Fulton Street
http://fortgreene.patch.com/articles/moshood-african-style-and-pride

Richard Wright: Inspired by the Neighborhood, the legendary author wrote his masterpiece, “Native Son,” in Fort Greene Park.
http://fortgreene.patch.com/articles/richard-wright-inspired-by-the-neighborhood

Sadiq L. Bellamy: Founder of the Soul Summit, Bellamy created one of the neighborhood’s best events out of his love for the old music scene.
http://fortgreene.patch.com/articles/sadiq-l-bellamy-founder-of-the-soul-summit

Carol’s Daughter: Fort Greene’s Fragrance, Lisa Price’s line of products got their start in the neighborhood.
http://fortgreene.patch.com/articles/carols-daughter-fort-greenes-fragrance

The Fort Greene Association, Inc. is an all-volunteer organization, operating as a non-profit 501(c) (3) charitable organization that supports and works in concert with the many other fine organizations that make our community so special and vital.

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/fortgreeneassn / Fan us on Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/346m57v

In this month’s issue:
· Soon You’ll Be Able to Set Your Watch by it
- the Williamsburgh Savings Bank
· Snow Days - FGA Chair’s Notes
· FRESH Teens Summit Breaks New Ground
· FGA Black History Month Celebration
· FGA & SNAP Fort Greene’s Thanksgiving
- A special Thanksgiving dinner for residents of the Auburn Shelter
· FGA Committees - Many Ways to Get Involved in You Neighborhood
· Newscenes
- Please stop by and say hello to our new businesses and tell them we sent you!
· New Year, New Beginnings
- an invitation to this month’s FGA Neighborhood Mixer & Meeting

We invite you to follow the FGA on Twitter @FortGreeneAssn and become a Facebook Fan in order to receive daily instant updates.

WEB EXTRA !

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

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

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

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

Sherman Jones, a tireless fighter for Fort Greene

Brenda Bunson-Bey opened a clothing store that showcases African

Good Neighbors a project of the Fort Greene Association is off and running and is compiling a survey of Fort Greene and Clinton Hill residents over 50. Visit them and get in on the ground level or click below and take the survey online.

Give your tree to Fort Greene Park! - MulchFest 2011
Brought to you by The Fort Greene Association,
The Society for Clinton Hill, and the FGPC

-or-

If you take your tree or wreath down early, drop it off at the Willoughby & Washington Park Entrance starting Saturday, January 1.

On January 8 & 9 bring a bag and take some home for your garden, window box or tree pit. We’ll keep the rest in the park!

MulchFest Refreshments: Greene Grape Provisions

Fort Greeners,

How much does the community of Fort Greene mean to you?

At the Fort Greene Association it means a lot. That is why we’ve been working hard throughout the year providing services which hopefully made Fort Greene just that much better for you. Maybe you’ve received some valuable money saving information from our FGA eBlasts or Twitter and Facebook updates, attended one of our informative Neighborhood Meetings, or took advantage of our great FGA member discount at Crunch fitness. These are just a few of the things the FGA offers to connected Fort Greeners. Please strengthen that connection by making your much needed end-of-year tax deductible donation to the Fort Greene Association.

The Fort Greene Association is the clear strong voice of Fort Greene, getting its strength from its membership and the contributions they give. That strength gives the Fort Greene Association a greater voice with elected officials and government agencies on behalf of your neighborhood concerns. Keep your voice strong by donating today.

The FGA is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to getting things done for the people of Fort Greene. It is the heartbeat of the neighborhood, dedicated to making each new day better than the last for all Fort Greeners.

This year the FGA:

• Initiated the “Bring Back the Beat” campaign to encourage the return of beat cops to our local streets.
• Showcased some of the best homes and cultural organizations with our 30^th House Tour.
• Funded the Pit Bulls our local Pop Warner Football team, helping to keep kids in school, and on track, through sports.
• Brought you respected school consultants Joyce Szuflita and Robin Aronow to help clear some of the confusion surrounding the NYC school process.
• Published a pictorial history of the neighborhood Images of America: Fort Greene to illustrate this neighborhood’s great past and bright future.
• Threw the “best Holiday Party ever” with a special program for the children and a wonderful bash for the adults.
• Held a Town Hall where you spoke directly to NYC DOT and NYC Transportation Alternatives regarding the traffic issues in Fort Greene.
• Highlighted food issues in Fort Greene and co-sponsored Fresh Teens a food education program targeting local teenage school children.
• Invited you to Neighborhood Mixers where attendees met their neighbors and spoke with their local officials while tasting food and beverages provided by local restaurants and businesses.
• Provided free Green Fort Greene Clinton Hill anti-litter signs - which are in high demand at our meetings.
• Supported holiday food donations and toy drives for the families of Fort Greene’s Auburn Family Shelter
• Maybe made you smile as you went past Fowler Square decorated for the Holiday Season.
• And the list goes on….

Your donation is needed to support the work of the FGA, we can’t do it without you.

Here is a partial list of some of our ongoing initiatives:

• School Improvement - a program to insure Fort Greene’s children get the education they deserve and to educate Fort Greeners about the education opportunities found in our local schools.
• Pedestrian Street Lighting - a pilot program to re-evaluate and re-design the pedestrian and street lighting in Fort Greene to foster the safety of our local citizens and businesses.
• Green Fort Greene & Clinton Hill - one of our most successful campaigns dedicated to reducing the neighborhood’s carbon footprint. We’ve planted over 280 trees in the neighborhood, expanded tree beds, and in the spring will have 5000 daffodil bulbs in bloom.
• Fort Greene Historic District Extension - nearly complete, the newly expanded Historic District will protect more of our cherished neighborhood.
• Good Neighbors - patterned on the success of a similar program in Beacon Hill, Boston. Good Neighbors plans to establish a program whereby elderly Fort Greener’s can maintain a good quality of life in their own homes.

So help the FGA remain strong. Your tax deductible donation at any level will bring a full year of benefits to you and your neighborhood. Your donation matters, please be generous.

Serving Greater Fort Greene, Fort Greene Association

The Fort Greene Association, Inc., operates as a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. A copy of our latest financial report may be obtained by contacting the Office of the Attorney General, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.

Don’t miss this year’s Spectacular
Fort Greene Merchant Raffle
Generous Prizes of Gift Certificates for Dining, Shopping and Services right here in Fort Greene
Come prepared to be a winner at the Holiday Party but if you can’t make it purchase your tickets online.
All proceeds go to this year’s
Christmas dinners for the Needy.

The list of Local Participants is growing by the hour
The Fort Greene Association salutes the following for their participation:

Stay tuned for updates!

Tickets are 6 for $5