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Saturday, January 12th

The Roots of Rap Book Launch / Exhibition Richard Beavers Gallery, 408 Marcus Garvey Blvd., 6-9PM, FREE. Celebrate the launch of this stunning, rhyming, triple-timing picture book and exhibition. “The Roots of Rap,” by veteran author Carole Boston Weatherford, is illustrated by noted artist Frank Morrison. Original art from the book will be exhibited, books will be available for purchase and the author will be signing copies. Refreshments will be served. Register at Eventbrite.

A Special Report Back in the Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal The People’s Forum, 320 W. 37th St., 3PM, FREE. Hear about momentous new developments in the Mumia Abu-Jamal Case. For the first time in 37 years, he’s won a favorable ruling in Philadelphia by allowing him to present evidence of innocence. This event features five powerful voices discussing these developments, the history of the case and what’s necessary to secure Mumia’s freedom. Speakers include: Mumia’s attorney Judith Ritter, Pam Africa, longstanding activist in this movement, Johann Fernandez, filmmaker and specialist in the case and journalist Glen Ford, founder of Black Agenda Report.

Sunday, January 13th 

The Roots of Rap Children’s Book-Signing Richard Beavers Gallery, 408 Marcus Garvey Blvd., 3-5PM, FREE. Kids will learn about how rap evolved from folktales, spirituals and poetry to the showmanship of James Brown, graffiti art and break-dancing. Written in lyrical rhythm by award-winning author and poet Carole Boston Weatherford with flowing, vibrant illustrations by Frank Morrison, with a foreword by Swizz Beatz. Register at Eventbrite.

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Monday, January 14th

Ocean Hill-Brownsville Strike

Brooklyn Fifty Years and Counting: Lessons from the Ocean Hill-Brownsville Teachers Brooklyn Historical Society, 128 Pierrepont St., 6:30-8PM (doors @ 6), $5. In 1968-69, the local Ocean Hill-Brownsville community, in an effort to gain self-determination, clashed with the United Federation of Teachers, resulting in a citywide strike. Hear Charles Isaacs, former teacher and author of Inside Ocean Hill–Brownsville: A Teacher’s Education, 1968-69, and Monifa Edwards, 1969 valedictorian at JHS 271, where the movement began. Joining them is Heather Lewis, author of New York City Public Schools from Brownsville to Bloomberg: The Community Control Movement and its Legacy. Moderated by Mark Winston Griffith, Executive Director of Brooklyn Movement Center. 

Tuesday, January 15th

FREE Legal Services for All: Veterans’ Issues Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon St., Every Tuesday 9AM-12PM, FREE. The Office of Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams partners each week with the Veteran Advocacy Project’s Urban Justice Center to provide free legal assistance to veterans. Get help with housing issues, benefits and other VA Claims, discharge updates and more. Appointments are required. Call 718-802-3777.

Wednesday, January 16th

Race and Gender in American Politics Brooklyn Historical Society, 128 Pierrepont St., 6:30-8PM (doors @ 6), $5. Christina Greer, author of Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration and the Pursuit of the American Dream; Tsedale M. Melaku, author of the forthcoming, You Don’t Look Like a Lawyer: Black Women and Systemic-Gendered Racism; and author Jamila Michener, (Fragmented Democracy: Medicaid, Federalism and Unequal Politics), reflect on the successes (and setbacks) of women and people of color as candidates, and evolving participation and representation in American politics.

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Gallery Tour – Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway (meet in the Rubin lobby), 2-3PM, FREE w/museum admission, which is a suggested donation. Join a Museum Guide for a tour of this remarkable special exhibition featuring paintings, drawings, collage, sculpture and photography by some of the most brilliant and inspired artists of the time.

Thursday, January 17th

“Brooklyn Vanguard” Opening Reception Hudson Guild, 441 W. 26th St., Manhattan, 6-7:30PM, FREE. Curated by visual artist Danny Simmons, this exhibition honors some of the broad shoulders a new generation of Black Art Stars stood firmly upon. Join in the celebration of cherished cultural warriors. Featuring work by (among others): Jamilah Ausby, Che Baraka, Ramona Candy, Mary Chang, Jimmy James Greene, Myrah Brown Green, Kathleen Hayek, MLJ Johnson, Anders Knutson, Karl McIntosh, Otto Neals, Deborah Singletary and Ken Wright. The show is up until 2/27. Contact Hudson Guild for hours.

Saturday, January 19th

Small Business Expo First Baptist Church of Crown Heights Fellowship Hall, 450 Eastern Parkway, 10AM-2PM, FREE. Don’t miss this year’s expo, where you might win a free raffle and have great choices of Valentine’s Day gifts to purchase. The event features a marketplace with a variety of vendors showcasing and selling edible creations for special events, customized floral arrangements, beautiful vegan nail paint, photography, men’s jewelry, Afrocentric printed apparel, housewares, telecommunication services and much more. RSVP at Eventbrite. Vendor registration ends at noon on 1/15: contact Natalie at FBCCHsmallbusinessexpo@gmail.com.

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Sunday, January 20th

Cultural Caravan Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Plaza, 1368 Fulton St., 1st Fl., 3-7PM, FREE (donations accepted). The public is invited to join in this celebration of Dr. King and panel discussion on:” 400 Years Later (1619-2019): “Reflecting Back and Moving Forward.” The panel, to be moderated by CCPTV host and founder Louise Dente, will feature WBAI 99.5 FM radio host and producer Bob Law, WBLS 107.5 FM host Ann Tripp and Our Time Press publisher David Greaves. Other invited panelists will be confirmed. A Special Recognition Award will be given to Kwame Brathwaite, Sr., renowned photo documentarian of the Black is Beautiful Movement. For information call 347-804-5810.

Monday, January 21st

MLK on call

 

 

 

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Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, 30 Lafayette Ave., 10:30AM, FREE tickets distributed first-come, first-seated, starting at 8AM. This annual community event features civic leaders and a keynote address by “Me Too” movement founder Tarana Burke. Enjoy the music of The Brooklyn Interdenominational Choir and Oddisee & Good Company. Borough President Eric L. Adams is the Master of Ceremony. Following the film attend (at 1PM) the free screening of Dolores, a documentary about Latina activist Dolores Huerta. For info contact Sarah Garvey at 718-724-8025.

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Friday, February 15th

Deadline to Apply for a Community Board Seat Consider joining one of Brooklyn’s 18 community boards, which are the epicenter of grassroots democracy in our borough. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age to qualify, you must live, work in or have a professional or other significant interest in that board’s district. To submit an application online, visit brooklyn-usa.org.

Brooklyn Vanguard art by
Lamerol A. Gatewood

 

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