Bed-Stuy Brownstoners Celebrate 33 Years: Remembering the Past,

We often hear about the American Dream of homeownership being lost to many of us; or that it’s a thing of the past. There is a segment of Brooklyn, however, that would seriously beg to differ with those negative statements, because they’ve been keeping the dream and pride of homeownership alive for over 30 years now: The Brownstoners of Bedford-Stuyvesant, founded in the late 70′s by five Brooklynites, has the distinction of taking home-ownership to a whole ‘nuther level. Literally!
Bed-Stuy has long recognized the beauty and uniqueness of their historical brownstones. To say that members who formed the Bed-Stuy Brownstoners are very passionate about their homes is an understatement. These stately turn-of-the-century homes, many of which were built in the mid- to late 1800′s, and over 100 years old, have stood the test of time. There is nothing currently being constructed on any scale that even comes close to these wonderful homes.
While many of their neighbors were abandoning Bed-Stuy for “greener” pastures, the Brownstoners dug in their heels and began to demonstrate how truly wonderful their community, with lovely, stately classic examples of the finest in architectural design, really was.
The “Tour” was originally designed to familiarize, or reacquaint, residents with the wonderful treasures right in their own backyards instead of seeking them in other neighborhoods. What ensued is a love fest that has grown bigger and more popular each and every year.
This year’s Brownstone Tour can be considered a decided success. Not only because of the turnout, but because this year’s participants featured green conservation, as well as preservation techniques that focused more on recycling than destruction. Unlike the carnage of gut renovation that has become the method of most investors only interested in turning a fast buck, while putting glitzy (read cheap, substandard) fixtures in the buildings to entice the less well-educated buyer, these Bed-Stuy brownstones are exemplary in form and function, choosing quality over quantity.
As usual, ten beautiful homes were selected for this year’s tour. They ranged from single-family usage to a multifamily rental/residential property that had the tenant’s apartment every bit as fabulous as that of the owner.
With so much emphasis on green sustainability and recycling, the properties were selected as much for their exemplary incorporation of the latest principles in those areas as they were for their outstanding architectural integrity.
Many of these homes have been rescued from not-so-benign neglect and horrific deferred maintenance, and lovingly restored, or transformed into masterpieces of beauty, comfort and elegance. 276 Halsey Street’s unique reconfiguration of the basement by the removal of non-load bearing walls, from a bunch of dysfunctional boxy cinder-blocked rooms into an open, spacious, loft-like abode – complete with wide open walls, a working fireplace, bamboo flooring, a walk-in bath tub (to accommodate the wheel chair-bound co-owner), and a huge bedroom to die for! To top it all off, Chana, a design/build specialist, opened the back wall of the basement and installed a picture window in order to give a full view and access to a landscaped backyard!! No longer the dungeon-like atmosphere, the former basement, which ran the entire length of the house, gave everything a sense of expansiveness.
However, it was not the only eye-opener. The parlor floor combined the traditional with the new – blending bamboo flooring with the original classic parquet. Opening the area between the kitchen and the living room gave it more of an expansive feel. The restoration of the wood to its original glory via various stripping methods, revealing the craftsmanship that made this home a treasure back in the day and a masterpiece today. By the way, did I mention that they have a royal blue bathroom, a laundry center with matching royal blue washer and dryer; that the original cupboard that was built into the wall in the basement remains intact? Or that the original beveled glass, a sign of true original craftsmanship, is still part of the cupboard? Did I also mention that the original radiators – both decorative and efficient for delivering heat – were intact? As opposed to cheap baseboard heat, modernized radiators deliver steam heat, still the best and most cost-effective method of home heating.
Putnam Ave. likewise, blended the traditional with the modern, as the Pratt family, its owner, loves to point out. Somehow or other, they were able to move the original mantle piece from the kitchen to the living room; no small feat when you realize that it’s marble and cast iron! Now, that alone took some real imagination and creativity. That done, they opened up the space between the parlor and the kitchen, giving space to include a marble island kitchen. Hidden behind the original cabinetry woodwork is a powder room on one side, a pantry on the other side, and a decorative display cabinet in the center. By the way, the original floor-to-ceiling wooden cabinet was hidden under four coats of ugly paint, which the owners painstakingly and meticulously stripped away using heat guns, citrus strippers and other eco-friendly materials. The latest in appliances are also incorporated in the kitchen, which is designed for entertaining as well as cooking.
The lower level (formerly the basement) has been transformed into a master suite and a room for their young sons – a very precocious three-year-old who couldn’t wait to take everyone to show them his room, and to introduce them to his rocking horse “Clarence.”
The hallway leading past his bedroom to the backyard takes you into a combination entertainment area and play yard for the boys. It was designed for the family by Open House NYC, and consists of a patio made of bluestone, wisteria and pear trees, and lighting that comes on at night to illuminate the area.
Decatur St., which likewise, made very creative use of the basement, had the closet of a lifetime with shoe racks on one wall, compartmentalized spaces for suits, and other items. Owner Christopher Montgomery, the genius behind the concept and a migrant from DC, fell in love with the property and made it into a masterpiece after having gotten rid of the walls that had the basement level divided up to small, useless pocket rooms. The aforementioned closet, itself the size of a small bedroom, actually leads from his master bedroom into a massive bathroom with a 100-jet shower. Talk about sumptuous! But follow the hall past his suite to the zen garden in his backyard and you see why everything is so peaceful, tranquil and gracious.
Make no mistake, transforming these beautiful homes from eyesores into treasures can be quite costly. And, indeed, some of the owners have dug deep into the family coffers to come up with the finances to make it happen. However, most of the owners offset the costs by utilizing sweat equity and the principles of recycling to bring their homes from ancient history into the modern world. Rather than just allowing outside architects or designers to do their homes, they were hands-on, utilizing their own ingenuity. That’s not to say that some didn’t get burned by “jacklegs” who made matters a lot worse before they got better, or that, in one instance, the work was done by contractors; but for most of these properties, the work was done by the owners and their families themselves. Nor were they penny-wise and pound-foolish, either. Where expertise or technology was required, they sought the appropriate licensed technicians to do the work properly -i.e., plumbing, wiring, roofing – avoiding serious problems down the road while at the same time reserving the decorative work for themselves.
In many instances, this meant coming home from work and putting on (or stripping off) that extra coat of paint themselves; it meant stripping the paint and finishing floors instead of sitting in front of the TV. It meant using the money to get the correct appliances rather than cheap appliances from department stores, taking a trip or buying a car. Each and every homeowner would say that it was definitely worth it, and they would definitely do it again.

State Senator Kevin Parker’s Recommendation to MWBE’s After New Bill Signed into Law

On July 15, 2010, Governor David Paterson made history in New York by signing into law the first comprehensive legislation for the inclusion of Minority and Women Business Enterprises in the bid and business process throughout the state.  It is now a law of the land, and will have a broad generative effect across the board for enhancing and empowering Black-and minority-owned businesses.  Historically speaking, these businesses have been marginalized, or not included at all in many of the major multimillion-dollar contracts leD by City and State government.

Major vendors have come into the area and have been able to establish businesses without including local businesses, contractorS or services.  With the signing of the bill, the dynamic has changed.  The implications for Brooklyn’s minority business enterprises is tremendous.

State Senator Kevin Parker, of Brooklyn’s 21st Senatorial District, which encompasses Flatbush, Ditmas Park, Midwood and other areas,  took time to spell out the details and the impact these four new bills will have on Black-and minority-owned businesses in Brooklyn and throughout the state. 

What follows is a brief interview with the senator, immediately after Governor David Paterson’s historic signing of the bill into law:

GDW: What’s the significance of this bill?  And what does this mean for us in Brooklyn?

KP:  Well, it’s actually a package of four bills, three of which deal with something called 15A, which deals with procurement for the state of New York.  And the fourth bill actually deals with the Emerging Managers bill which now, for the first time, allows Blacks, Latino, women and Asians who are engaged in financial services, to now have a program that requires the state to give them their due.

To further put that in perspective, Senator Parker compared New York’s budget with the rest of the world: “Right now, the state of New York is the third- largest budget in the entire country.  First is the Federal Government’s budget, [second] the state of California, then the state of New York.  Out of that $136 billion that we’re going to spend this year in the state of New York, between $25 and $30 billion is procured out for everything from paper clips to large construction projects.  And so, historically, African-Americans, Latinos, women and Asians have had very, very, very small percentages — actually less than two percent totally  — of that money.  This is now going to expand the process — the process has existed for a while — but this will expand the process by which MWBE’s get access to those state contracts.”

GDW:  Brooklyn is the entrepreneurial capital of New York.  More people actually have their own small businesses. Specifically, what kinds of things are you going to do in Brooklyn to ensure those people are involved?

KP:  Well this is the first time that we’re connecting Wall Street to Main Street. Literally, Wall Street to the Main Streets of my community.  The Church Avenues, the Flatbush Avenues, the Nostrand Avenues.  And so, one,  there are going to be a lot of programs vis à vis every agency.  So from the Department of Transportation to the Empire State Development Corporation will be having programs.  A lot of elected officials, including myself, are doing press conferences, press releases and notices, and mailers to our community to let them know what’s going on.

GDW:  Is there anything that the other side of the community needs to do.  In other words, those people who are just getting into the fray and have never been certified as an MWBE can do?

KP:  Well, I think that what the people should be doing is reaching out to the agency, particularly to the Empire State Development Corporation.

Senator Parker is known for encouraging local small business growth with the creation of Building Blocks Local Development Corporation.  He has also hosted three business development forums throughout the district, so his sense of commitment to business development is already established.

That said, he offered several recommendations to MWBE’s  who stand to benefit from this new legislation:

KP:  There are really a number of things that people need to do.  I have five quick tips:

One, people need to get their paperwork straight.  Your personal financials; if you have a business already, get your business finances together and make sure you have a good business plan.

Two, research the opportunities that are available with the state.  Whether you’re selling furniture, there’s the Department of Education, you may want to look at the Health Department; if you do construction, you may want to talk with the Thruway Authority and the Dept. of Transportation; you can research and see who is your best opportunity to do business with.

The Third thing you want to make sure that you do is to get certified.  There’s a certification process with the state.

GDW:  Having worked as a minority business liaison in the past, I have to ask you has that process been streamlined?  It used to take forever.

KP: It has been.  It’s now a two-day process — it used to be a very long process, we’ve streamlined it.  I think it’s a one-page form now.  But it’s much easier.  And then last, make sure you reach out to your elected officials.  So, whether it’s myself or your assembly or city council person, they will have information on how minority—and women—owned businesses are working; and how you get your best access back to those opportunities.

KP: The important point is that we provide transparency to the process, accountability to the process; and more importantly, enforcement to make sure that people who were not in compliance with it are taken to task. The signing of this bill by the governor today is an acknowledgment that labor market discrimination exists in the state of New  York.  And that we, in fact, need to address it.  The way to address it is to make sure that Black and Latino, Asian and Women—Owned Businesses have more capacity to do hiring by giving them more business opportunities.  More business opportunities equates to more employment opportunities in all of our communities.

If you are interested in additional information on the Minority and Women Business Enterprises, contact the Empire State Development Corporation at www.empire.state.ny.us, or Senator Kevin Parker’s office at (718) 629-6401.

For a more in depth report on the MWBE and its impact, log on to my Blog:  http://www.gloriadulanwilson.blogspot.com

The Phenomenal Event

Back in the day,The Impressions with Curtis Mayfield sang a song entitled “Too Much Love” which said in part, “never in this world can there be too much love.” And I certainly felt that sentiment was expressed over and over again at the PHENOMENAL WOMEN IN MEDIA Awards ceremony held at the Eubie Blake Auditorium in Brooklyn’s, Von King Park. Wow! From the moment you stepped through the door, you were treated like royalty. Adults and youth alike were all there to make sure you had the best experience and most enjoyable time ever.
And so I did, and so we did!!

Phenomenal Women of Our Time: Stars in the world of media and community service were honored at the Third Annual March Women’s History Month Awards and Brunch, Monday, March 29 at the Herbert Von King Park Cultural Arts Center in Bedford Stuyvesant. Seated center, Civil Rights pioneer and Freedomways editor Esther Cooper Jackson, 92, and Prospect Park Administrator Tupper W. Thomas were the 2010 Hattie Carthan Award honorees. The work and milestone achievements of 25 phenomenal women, including journalists, writers, authors, reporters, news publicists, broadcasters, out-reachers, media information specialists that, as Von King Park manager Lemuel Mial said, “connects us with the stories that matter to all of us,” were celebrated and applauded. Borough President Marty Markowitz issued a Proclamation declaring the day, Von King Park Phenomenal Women’s History Month Day. These queens of New York City media include, standing, left to right: Susan McHenry, founding editor, Black Issues Book Review; Claud Leandro, Program Director, One Caribbean Radio; Carolyn Butts, President, African Voices Communications, Inc; Sarah Frazier, Communications and Media Relations, NYC Parks & Recreation; Maitefa Angaza, Editor, African Voices Magazine; Victoria Horsford, journalist and PR management consultant; Gayle DeWees, journalist, NY Daily News; Janel Gross, Managing Editor, Afro Times; Petra Symister, Founder, Bed-Stuy Blog; Dr. Teresa Taylor-Williams, Publisher, NY Trend newspaper; Monique Greenwood, former Essence editor-in-chief; Stacy-Ann Gooden, weather anchor, News 12 Brooklyn; Lupe Todd, Vice President, Goerge Arzt Communications; Rosalind McLymont, editor-in-chief, The Network Journal; Margot Jordan, global photo journalist; and Faybiene Miranda, co-host, Global Medicine Review, WBAI; and seated, from left to right: Nayaba Arinde, editor-in-chief, NY Amsterdam News; Dr. Brenda Greene, Host, Writers on Writing, WNYE; Aminisha Black, The Parents’ Notebook columnist, Our Time Press; Esther Cooper Jackson, Managing Editor, Freedomways and Civil Rights pioneer; Prospect Park Administrator and spokesperson, Tupper W. Thomas; Gloria Dulan-Wilson, feature writer and reporter; Joanne Cheatham, publisher of Pure Jazz Magazine and Fern Gillespie, journalist and national media consultant. “We honor you,” said event co-host Graham Weatherspoon,” because you honor us. You are the heartbeat of the community, the rhythm, the pulse.”

You see, I, along with 24 other Phenomenal Women (I really like the sound of that – PHENOMENAL) were honored by Our Time Press and Herbert Von King Park Cultural Arts Center for our various roles in the realm of the media and its impact and influence we’ve had in keeping our base – the Black community, i.e., YOU, informed on issues of impact and importance to you – in such a way that it doesn’t insult you, but (hopefully) inspires you to action, give you an alternative to the propaganda being spewed out at you via the mainstream market tabloids.
Each of the recipients was a diva in her own right. Each had a mark of distinction in the Black community. And, I daresay, we take the time to read each other because we respect each other’s work. You see, we don’t see each other as competitors because Black news venues can’t afford to compete against each other, and at the same time try to deal with the onslaught of distortions, lies and disrespect routinely found in the mainstream media. We have to be collaborative in our approach, or you’ll never get the truth. We are not here to be a miniature image of the same paper that’s been insulting you all these years. We take issue with the kinds of information, the tone of the article, the content. But we are likewise not here to criticize the mainstream press (that is unless they are so blatantly racist that something has to be said).
We are here to give you the NEWS about us as a people regardless of where we are and who we are. We don’t just cover the rich and famous, the gifted and talented, the superstar artist, athlete, politician, we also write about issues that affect everyday African-American men, women, children, workers, educators, ministers, homemakers, families.
So far, none of us have won a Pulitzer – doesn’t mean we can’t or that we don’t want to. There were also plenty of award winners amongst us, already recognized for their prodigious body of work.
I, however, must confess that this is the first time that I was so honored, by being feted by peers and people in the community. It was the first time that I was the subject of the award, instead of covering someone who was. It was the first time that I had to stand still for the paparazzi instead of being part of those who were taking the endless photos of everything I did, every move I made. Wow!!! So that’s what it feels like.
So, before I go any further, please allow me to say to Bernice Green, David Greaves, Graham Weatherspoon, Mr. and Mrs. Lemuel and Charlotte Renee Mial; Our Time Press, Von King Park THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! With all the heartfelt sincerity and love I can muster. You yourselves are such a blessing in this world, what an honor! And I know that this appreciation is expressed, not just for myself, but for the women who were also so honored and revered on that Monday, March 29, 2010.

Mrs. Esther Cooper-Jackson with Gloria Dulan-Wilson at the honoree reception before the awards. Photo: Barry L. Mason

To cap off this wonderful day, we had the honor of meeting and being photographed with the grande dame of media and publiations, Mrs. Esther Cooper-Jackson, who served as editor of FREEDOMWAYS for 25 years from 1961 through 1986. The Alabama native, who is a delight to talk with, has a knowledge, understanding and love of Black history that goes far beyond just the publication of the quarterly publication into the very soul of what makes us who we are. I had the distinct honor to have an all-too-brief conversation with this esteemed, teeny little lady who, at 92, continues to hold her own in the world of contemporary knowledge. She brought her best friend, who just celebrated her 95th birthday, as her special guest for the PHENOMENAL WOMEN IN MEDIA AWARDS CEREMONY. Inspirational to those who realize that if we do it right, we might just make it to that age, and look that good, as well.
The women pictured on page 5 are the PHENOMENAL MEDIA WOMEN I had the honor of sharing the stage with. These are the women who have accomplished so much in their lives individually and collectively.

The Phenomenal Woman statuette, one of the gift bag surprises for the awardees, was formed in the kilns of the Herbert Von King Cultural Arts Center, under the guidance of John Llanos. Photo: Ammar Chughtai

Each of us received a statuette of a Black woman who depicted both our African and African-American Roots (Routes), as well as a hand-cast “envelope” with each of our names on it; as well as some wonderful beauty products produced by Jahbulant (347-834-0266 /you gotta try their stuff, it’s fantastic); and corporate products donated by Pepperidge Farms (thanks for their support).      

By Gloria Dulan Wilson