Our Time PressThe Local Paper with the Global View

By Victoria Horsford
The good news is that African-American Brooklynite architect/businessman Carlton Brown of Full Spectrum, was named developer of the $85 million Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) cultural district’s residential tower and dance space in Downtown Brooklyn on land owned by NYC.  Full Spectrum’s Brown has crossed the real estate divide, which has excluded NYC’s  people of color from big-league real estate development participation. This is a quantum leap!  Construction of the BAM tower begins next spring.
Last month’s landmark announcement about the Brown/BAM project had lots of chefs stirring the pot:  the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, NYC Housing Preservation and Development,  NYC Councilwoman Letitia James  and a constellation of Brooklyn groups advocating for a Brooklynite developer as opposed to Manhattan moguls who monopolize most big  NYC real estate deals.  The history of the  $300 million Downtown Brooklyn renovation is long and rife with political undertones and bureaucratic stagnation. The announcement begs more than a few questions. Who is Carlton Brown? What is Full Spectrum? How did Brown’s Full Spectrum team, whose original proposal was rejected in 2006, eclipsed the competition.
Co-founded in 1988  by Carlton Brown, COO, and Walter Edwards, CEO, Full Spectrum is a Harlem-based, African-American-owned sustainable real estate company which focuses on the development of mixed-use, mixed-income green buildings in emerging urban markets.  Brown, architect and green leader, says,  “Full Spectrum’s two Harlem condominium buildings, at 1400 Fifth Avenue and the Kalahari Harlem, on West 116th Street, under construction, exemplify our mission.” He adds: “1400 Fifth,  which was first occupied in 2004, is our flagship mixed-income residential green building,  and it gave us lots of national visibility to do something different and helped broaden our client business base, which now includes Jackson, Mississippi, where Full Spectrum has an office, and where it is developing 4500 homes and in New Orleans, Louisiana, where we will  develop 275 hotel rooms, 200 condos and 200 homes.  Our out-of-town business is directly related to our philosophy and strategic approach to work, something to which  municipal leaders across the country resonate.  All  of our buildings will be green and cost-effective.”
Full Spectrum, along with a variety of partners, is becoming a household word, which  has developed  both residential and commercial real estate properties from a facility upgrade at the UN Plaza Hotel to project management at Jacobi Hospital and at the Trenton Town Center in New Jersey. We were a consultant to  The Solarium in Battery Park City, Manhattan, best  known as one of the nation’s first environmentally sustainable residential buildings.
The Full Spectrum’s management philosophy and practices are indistinguishable from Carlton Brown’s. An affable, scholarly, pragmatic manager, Brown is the ultimate multitasker who can conduct an in-office interview while teleconferencing in another city and mapping real estate strategies for yet another city.  A 30-year-plus Brooklyn resident who is married with children, Brown is a member in good standing within  the borough’s  rich, vibrant African-American cultural community. He chairs the nonprofit ARTS 651, a local organization which focuses on art produced  by descendants of  enslaved Africans, lectures at Pratt Institute, and in 1990 led  a multidisciplinary group which developed an approach for sustainable development projects for Cape Verde, a West African nation.
Born in Charlotte, NC, Brown  was raised in  Jackson, Mississippi, where his parents were professors who taught chemistry and choreography at Jackson State University, an HBCU and  who were active in the civil rights movement.  “Our family engaged in the world of ideas beyond the reality of  Mississippi in the 50s and 60s,” says Brown. He graduated from Princeton, where he majored in Architecture and city planning and wrote a thesis on “Neo-African Architecture,” about the historic impact of 400 years of European dominance of African  peoples and Black architecture imperatives, which should be more African referential and less duplicative of Western influences.
In 1976,  ATT hired Brown as a district manager for its NY real estate group, where he acquired experience in  corporate planning, site acquisition, facilities development, project design and leasing for high-performance labs, data centers and office facilities. During his decade-long  ATT tenure, he directed the development and construction of more than $2 billion in real estate property for the corporation. He also studied real estate finance at NYU.
When Carlton Brown, former American Institute of Architects board member, starts talking about architecture, he gets an adrenalin rush. He defines himself by his Africanness, saying, “That’s who I am and that’s how I process words.”  He insists that most people misunderstand architects.  “Architecture,” he concedes,  “is about the power of the elite and the ruling classes and their ability to finance buildings and erect monuments to themselves.” He laments that Blacks in general do not enjoy that access. He says:  “Architects are not just designers, as some conjecture who are on steroids, we are the stewards of the earth’s resources, stewards of environmental health,” which would explain his attraction to greening. He admits that architecture is about pattern, color, shape and texture. “For the  Kalahari Harlem, we hired African-American architect John Travis who deftly introduced numerous African references to the design model such as Adrinka and southern African symbols. He enthuses, “We wanted a distinctive building which would introduce pattern and color in a way unusual for NYC.”
Brown  is ecstatic about being named developer of the “jewel in the crown” portion of   the rejuvenated BAM  cultural district project, its residential tower,  which encompasses 187 units of mixed-income housing, half of which are designated for low-to moderate-income tenants. Full Spectrum will work with two architectural groups on the BAM residential tower, the Germany-based Behnisch Architects and the New York-based Studio MDA. In explaining the  tower’s architectural  design scheme, he recommends “envisioning Downtown Brooklyn as a horizontal community turned on its end, 5 cantilevered blocks of apartments which allows natural light and abundant air to circulate.”  He adds, “We haven’t  determined which African design scheme will interplay with the basics.”   Brown’s  big challenge is securing financing for the behemoth  Downtown Brooklyn real estate project.  He allows, tongue in cheek,  that being named developer was the easy part, phase one of a multilayered process.
It appears that Full Spectrum has much to celebrate as it approaches 2008, its  20th Anniversary!

(Editors Note: For a future issue, Our Time Press will be asking many downtown Brooklyn developers, how their contractor/workforce profile measures against the local standard of the Community Benefits Agreement with Forest City Ratner.)

Students and parents alike are incensed by the random search that took place on Tuesday morning at Benjamin Banneker Academic High School.
 According to one student, who agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity, school safety officers began to shout at students as they entered the school that morning.  The student said that the officers told them to remove any electronic devices and metal objects from their clothing and backpacks.  They were then instructed to walk in a line and swipe their ID cards to gain entry to the school.  As they walked into the school, school safety officers ran a handheld device along the sides of the students’ bodies.  The device, which beeps if any sort of metal is detected, was used to determine if the students had any objects that are banned by the school.
 The student said that knives were found on some males during the search.  However, she also said that some students were forcibly searched.  “The school safety officers shoved some people against the wall and searched them when they didn’t beep,” she said.  “When they [school safety officers] were throwing people’s stuff into the box, they broke one girl’s sidekick.”  The student also said that she feels some of the females were searched inappropriately.  She also reported that the assistant principal and two deans were present during the search, but they did not intervene.
 Principal Darryl Rock, who was not in the building when the search took place, said that the random search had nothing to do with Banneker.  “Random searches are mandated by the mayor’s office,” he said.  An official with the Department of Education’s Office of School Intervention and Development said that random searches are regulated by the chancellor’s office and requested by principals and school safety officers.  “School safety officers request random searches depending on a particular situation at a school,” she said.
 The Banneker student noted that the random search happened shortly after a robbery occurred in the school.  She said that a student was robbed but is unsure about what was stolen.  She also said that the robber, a fellow Banneker student, was suspended by Rock.  Additionally, she reported that Rock sent police officers to the robber’s house because he threatened the principal’s life.  This incident, the student said, caused Rock to announce on the PA system that the homecoming dance was cancelled.  Rock said that the random search is not related to the dance’s cancellation and denies that the robbery ever took place.
 The student’s mother is disturbed about the search.  “I am not upset that the search took place,” she said.  “I am more concerned about the manner in which it was handled.”  She, like her daughter, is suspicious that the search took place soon after the robbery.
 On Thursday, November 29, there will be a meeting between the school safety officers and the parents to discuss the search.  The meeting will take place at Banneker from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

By Mary Alice Miller
Councilman Charles Barron and his wife Inez celebrated their Silver Anniversary at the House of the Lord Church. Rev. Herbert Daughtry, who married them 25 years ago, led the rededication of their vows. Five hundred people, including family, friends, public servants and allies in community service  came out to witness the event.
Inez Barron believes marriage is a “relationship that publicly acknowledges a commitment that two people have for each other. It required a lot of give-and-take, a lot of sacrifice, introspection and reflection. We believe God has sanctioned our marriage and it is our responsibility to make it work.”
According to Inez, there are many benefits to marriage. “You have someone who is always in your corner, always has your back. What keeps us together is humor and the good times. Charles is a very intelligent man with good ideas. He was particularly supportive during the stressful time when I was a school principal.”
Inez said  when they got together, “There was no issue with male- female roles. We both were strong-headed and independent. It was a process, but we are mutually supportive of each other.”
Charles Barron proudly declares he is “a happily married Black man. Marrying Inez is the best thing I have ever done. She is the love of my life. She is the greatest supporter of my work. I would not be where I am without her.”
Regarding why he married Inez, Barron said, “She is a great leader, a great teacher. She is the most beautiful African woman I have seen. Her smile alone can stop me cold in my tracks.”
Barron goes on to reflect upon the value of marriage for Black men. According to Barron, “Black manhood is not complete without becoming a great father and a great husband.”
In order to become a great father and husband, Barron suggests first that Black men spend time with themselves. “For 2 years, I did not date. I got to know Charles. I learned my strengths and weaknesses. I learned to be alone, but not lonely.”
Barron’s second suggestion is for “Black men to get to know Black women. Get to know the true purpose of  a Black woman. A woman is not to be dominated or controlled. She is not to be used just for her body. Black men must come straight with Black women. A Black man has never ‘gotten over’ on a Black woman. She just lets you think that you did.”
Barron says  he does not believe in stereotypical sex roles. “Male and female complement each other. The best marriage occurs when two whole people come together to form a union out of love.” (Barron does not believe Inez is his better half, or that he is half of her.)
Barron’s last suggestion for Black men is to “do the work to stay together. Work to maintain the flame, work to keep the humor” in your marriage.”
 Barron recalls in his 25 years of marriage, during the first two years, they had arguments. The last twenty-three have been nothing but peace.  Barron attributes this to the fact that they both “have a life.”
Charles and Inez Barron are living examples of commitment to their marriage, family and community.

By Patricia Robinson

Six years ago at a family dinner, Paul Grosvenor shared with his family that he wanted to become a singer. His uncle, Peterson Grosvenor, advised Paul’s parents to take him to the Patricia F. Robinson Music Studio where his daughter Erika studied piano and voice. That was the beginning of Paul’s awesome development from an adolescent tenor to a profoundly gifted bass baritone.
After mastering his vocal foundation with Mrs. Robinson, Paul quickly advanced to study with the studios classical vocal coach, Kurt Faussette, who helped Paul find and master his baritone voice. At the tender age of 14, Paul recorded his first CD accompanied by Kurt Faussette which consists of French, English and Italian arias, German lieder, show tunes, spirituals and more.    

        
 Paul entered La Guardia H.S. where he is further developing while studying jazz piano with Richard Parker at the music studio.
 The continuous support Paul receives from his parents (Paul Sr. and Kathy) has been the key factor in Paul’s success as well as the success of the music studio. Paul’s parents sit on the Board of Directors and work diligently towards the success of the music studio. They are proof that parent participation is the key element of success.
Paul is a member of the Black Student Union Opera Workshop, Gospel Chorus and Jazz Ensemble at La Guardia, and the Youth President of Mu-Te Or’s youth branch (Brooklyn Branch of the Association of Negro Musicians).
We are so proud of Paul and are looking forward to him being the next Luther. He has that same kind of vocal quality.

By Mary Alice Miller

“Prisons are the best schools to learn to be better criminals. Our brightest gang members shouldn’t go.” These remarks were part of a presentation from Deanna Rodriguez during a recent forum at Medgar Evers College entitled An International Perspective: Gangs and Crime. Rodriguez, Chief of the Gang Bureau within the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, gave a spirited presentation.
Rodriguez began with a history of gangs in the United States. Rodriguez said Irish, not Blacks and Latinos, are responsible for this country’s gang culture. She told of teasing DA Hynes that the Irish were to blame for gangs, after having brought them to America. She pointed out that Native Americans did not have gangs, and referred to the movie Gangs of NY  for a historical perspective.
According to Rodriguez, some immigrants came to this country with criminality in their minds and backgrounds. Rodriguez said  “America is to blame” for the increase in Latino gang criminality which was brought here, in particular, MS 13. Rodriguez said the United States “went to El Salvador and trained them.”
Describing the situation in NYC, Rodriguez told the audience gangs are not just in the projects. “Gang recruitment takes place in Catholic schools. Gang recruitment takes place in prep schools, elite prep schools.” Rodriguez said gangs are strong; gang leaders are “running things from top prep schools.” According to Rodriguez, our “brightest” students are being recruited into gangs.
Rodriguez’ definition of a gang is “a group of people who operate together to commit crimes.”
From Rodriguez’ perspective, prison is not the answer. “Prisons are schools to learn better criminality.” Rodriguez’ recommendation is to divert our “brightest” gang members into alternative-to-prison programs.
Puzzled whether prison is punishment for crime, and whether no one should be sentenced to prisons since according to Rodriguez, they are “schools” to learn better criminality, a call was placed to the DA’s office for clarification of official policy.
Sandy Silverstein, in the DA’s Public Relations office, offered this explanation: Rodriguez meant to say gangs are not just affecting the poor. Silverstein went on to say, “Almost all defendants who were put into alternative sentencing were Black and Latino.”
Silverstein said “The DA’s office believes in alternative sentencing,” and pointed out some crime prevention initiatives, such as Treatment Alternatives for Dually Diagnosed Defendants (TADDD).
Silverstein added, “Gangs are more organized. Many gang leaders are already in prison. Members are recruited within prison, or are already gang members when they enter prison.”
Silverstein further explained there is no difference between how gang members in public school and in Catholic and elite prep schools are prosecuted. They would all be treated the same way.