By Bernice Elizabeth Green
Many thousands of trees grow in Brooklyn, and the most famous of them all is rooted in Bedford Stuyvesant on Lafayette Avenue in front of a three-building complex, The Magnolia Tree Earth Center of Beford Stuyvesant.
In addition to its status as New York City’s only “Living Landmark,” the tree boasts singular distinction as the hallmark of Brooklyn’s first grassroots-originated green movement, one started by the urban ecology pioneer and former neighborhood resident, Hattie Carthan (1901-1984).
At the Earth Center’s annual evening fundraiser last week, Center Board Chair Wayne Devonish told supporters, “She started planting trees in the neighborhood in 1964 and succeeded in encouraging the neighborhood to plant more than 1500 trees—most still standing.”
Carthan’s work continues to this day with gardening programs, workshops, and cultural events in partnership with schools, medical institutions, block associations, churches, civic organizations, cultural institutions, and more.
That work is evidenced in another way and is very familiar to Carthan when she actively sought donations for her dream to create an ecology center for the community. Devonish noted that community organizations and philanthropic groups work together to provide support and resources, which, in effect, help a neighbor.
Without them, there would not have been the $350,000 raised to remove the scaffolding, omnipresent for 10 years, that covered the front of the building, limiting easy access by children and older adults — although programs continued. Without voluntarism, there would not be Magnoli programs that served young mothers and families, and gardening projects.
The Brownstoners of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Eric Edwards, the Cultural Museum of African Art (CMAA), community activist T. J. Wilson of Community Board 3, and the Mellon Foundation were acknowledged with awards for their friendships and support.
Donations or awards from 500 Men Making a Difference, The Bed Stuy Lion Club, and State Senator Kevin Parker helped Magnolia reach this year’s goal. (The organization is still seeking much-needed funds to complete much-needed work.)
“Why are we here?” asked The Rev. Dr. Divine Pryor, the fundraising event’s spirited host. “For the children and the children unborn,” he answered. It gets down to “caring” about the Earth, he said. “And respecting the environment,” and us paying attention to “what toxic things we take in and what comes out.” He revealed, “I will walk three blocks to get to a garbage can before I throw something on the ground.”
Astor Cousins of the MTEC Board agreed on the importance of lifestyle and values. “We must take care of the earth and do what is necessary to preserve our institutions for the next generation. It is about our children’s future. We have a responsibility to preserve what we have now.
That directive extends to being attentive to civic responsibility and perhaps fighting for changes that are needed to improve our systems, said some speakers, noting it’s the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink and being actively involved, through such organizations as Magnolia Earth Center, in fighting the toxicities. In an allusion to Magnolia as a knowledge depot, Attorney Renee Turner, head of the pioneer Brownstoners of Bedford-Stuyvesant, mentioned the housing crisis and the extensive work the Brownstoners were doing to inform the community about the impending Tax Lien.
The Cultural Museum of African Arts and the Magnolia Tree Earth Center are strongly linked by kinship. Eric Edwards, CMAA founder, tightened the link when he elaborated on how young people will make soul connections to their gifts and artistry through both community-grown and inspired organizations.
An exuberant Lottie D. Shannon, head of the Lions Club of Bedford-Stuyvesant, proudly described how her organization came to fund the exterior mural rehab work by artist Joe Grant on Central Brooklyn’s largest depiction of Mrs. Carthan.
The Lions gave a $5,000 donation; the 500 Men donated $1,000, and Sen Parker contributed $250,000. The Parker funds will go to the completion of the construction. But more is needed. Wayne Devonish assured, “This space will not go the way of luxury housing; it will be a community space and remain a community space.
The Hon. Ed Towns heads Magnolia’s Save the Tree committee. Dr. Safiye Bandele, Alfie French, and Al Wiltshire comprise the Advisory Board. Contact Mr. Devonish at (917) 297-2365 to donate to the Magnolia Tree Earth Center.
(Note to readers. Magnolia Honorees T.J. Wilson, Community Board #3, Parks & Recreation Committee chair, and History Professor Kobie Coleman of Brooklyn College, are scheduled for interviews in an upcoming issue of Our Time Press.)