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Block Parties Spread Love The Brooklyn Way

Pojanee Fleury
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Block Parties Spread Love The Brooklyn Way

by Pojanee Fleury
I had the pleasure of contributing to Our Time Press’ summer long series covering Brooklyn’s block parties. Not only did I have a great time – as the joy in the air was absolutely contagious – but I learned something very important, Brooklyn is not the one sided picture painted by the news or pop culture. I truly began to understand what Biggie meant in his infamous line, “Spread love, that’s the Brooklyn way.”


Although certain areas of Brooklyn are associated with crime and violence, I witnessed residents love and care for their block. They were focused on building community, not just living on a street in Brooklyn. They viewed the whole block as a space they could have an effect on not just for themselves but for the most important people on the block- the children.

All block associations’ representatives spoke to me about how important it was for the children to play freely on their blocks. In a busy city, you are taught from a young age to beware of the street. Having a day where children don’t have to worry about that, connects young people to a safe environment on their block creating a sense of security that fosters community and belonging. When children grow up in thoughtfully created safe spaces, they can thrive socially and emotionally, supported by adults in their family and along their street who are committed to making it possible.


Covering these neighborhood celebrations has been an eye-opening journey into the heart of what makes Brooklyn special. From the most humble gatherings to elaborate events with multiple bouncy castles and professional sound systems, each block party shared one thing in common: the commitment to building positive community bonds. A new picture of Brooklyn emerges in this landscape, one that is full of hope and togetherness.


Jane Wright, the co-president of the 400 Bainbridge Block Association, explained that when people rent from her, she automatically enrolls them in the block association. She said, “they should be residents of the block, part of the community, not just renters.” I had never thought of this, I am guilty of living on blocks in the city; coming and going without even knowing a single person’s name. Wright is an incredible community organizer, shifting the concept of living on a block to residing in a neighborhood.


The dedication of block association members is truly remarkable. Volunteering for months to secure permits, coordinate with local businesses, and organize everything from waste disposal to entertainment. They fundraise for supplies and work together to make the best of the resources they have. Their commitment stands on the shoulders of community leaders like Herbert Von King, the longtime activist and educator who understood that strong neighborhoods are built one relationship at a time. A park in the heart of Bed-Stuy bears his name to honor his legacy. The park has become a central gathering place, hosting everything from family picnics to community festivals. It serves as a reminder of Von King’s vision, where shared spaces foster connection and collaboration.


In a city that can feel overwhelming and impersonal, Brooklyn’s block parties remind us that community can be built one block at a time. I am so grateful that Our Time Press recognized these invaluable community institutions, giving them the spotlight they deserve. While we could not cover all of them, they all deserve to be commended. It is this collective effort that demonstrates the true spirit of Brooklyn—one built on resilience, care, and a shared commitment to uplifting one another.


As Putnam Howard Garden Block Association President, Cammy, said, “this is what reduces crime in the neighborhoods. Knowing each other, walking the block and looking out for each other. It makes a difference.”


Rismia Johnson, president of the First Quincy Street Block Association said the importance of bringing everyone together is, “the Brooklyn way to spread love.”
So the next time you hear music drifting from a blocked-off street in Brooklyn, take a moment to appreciate what’s really happening. You’re witnessing community in action, tradition being upheld, and Brooklyn love in practice.

  • photos by Pojanee Fleury

Equal Earth Map Better Represents Africa than Mercator

Kazembe Batts
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Equal Earth Map Better Represents Africa than Mercator

By Jeffery Kazembe Batts
IG: @kazbatts
Fall is approaching, and school is back in session. While many prepare to start learning in academic institutions, most of the world has already been miseducated about basic geography. “Africa No Filter” and “Speak Up Africa”, along with the African Union, are working to change common knowledge about the size of the various continents, with a “Correct the Map Campaign”. For centuries, the world has been misled about the relative size of the seven continents commonly recognized as Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America.

Africa and South America are shrunk in the widely used Mercator projection maps. AU Deputy Chairperson Selma Malika Haddadi told Reuters that the Mercator map falsely portrays Africa as “marginal.” The African Union plans to address this misleading view of the planet at an upcoming African Union summit.


In 1569, Flemish geographer and cartographer Gerardus Mercator created the map that bears his name. The map was a boast to sailors during the age of European colonial expansion. A viewer of the Mercator projection map would think that Greenland, which covers less than one million square miles, is about the same size as Africa, which is almost 12 million square miles in area. Since a sphere can’t be accurately displayed on a two-dimensional paper, all maps of Earth have deficiencies. Besides the Mercator projection, there are other maps such as the Gall-Peters projection, the Robinson projection, and the Natural Earth projection.


In 2018, Bojan Savric, Bernhard Jenny, and Tom Patterson invented the Equal Earth projection map, with curved sides that more accurately represent the size of the continents. This is the map that current cartographers and truth believers have rallied around. “Maps shape how we see the world and also how power is perceived.

So, by correcting the map, we also correct the global narrative about Africa,” said deputy executive director of Speak Up, Fara Ndiaye. “It may seem to be just a map, but in reality, it’s not. It marginalizes Africa.” Shared deputy chairwoman of the African Union’s executive arm, Selma Malika Haddadi. Focusing on the need for accurate maps is part of the African Union and pan-Africanist to reclaim Africa’s rightful place on the world stage.


As the semester begins check your children’s textbooks for accurate information. Review the maps that you have in your home and are familiar with. Google Maps uses a 3D globe on its desktop version, but the mobile app still uses the Mercator projection. At a time when Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida and President Trump are doing all they can to undermine education in general and Black history and studies in particular, truth must be the focus. Africa is the world’s second-largest continent, and maps and teaching must reflect this fact.

West Indian Labor Day Parade Marks 58th Year With Culture, Color, and Political Presence

Editor, Our Time Press
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West Indian Labor Day Parade Marks 58th Year With Culture, Color, and Political Presence

By Lyndon Taylor
The 58th staging of the annual West Indian Labor Day Parade transformed Eastern Parkway into a sea of color, music, and culture on Labor Day, as more than 2.5 million revelers came out to celebrate Caribbean heritage.


The festivities began earlier in the day with an invitation-only breakfast, which brought together a wide cross-section of leaders — among them Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, members of Congress, mayoral hopefuls, state and city officials, business leaders, nonprofit organizations, labor unions, clergy, and representatives of civil society.


In her remarks, Governor Hochul struck a balance between celebration and resolve. Acknowledging the anxiety surrounding the new federal Administration, she told attendees:
“Today we’re here to celebrate, tomorrow get back up and fight like hell saying they’re not going to separate our families and children.”


The Governor reaffirmed her commitment to the Caribbean-American community, pledging to honor and expand its contributions to New York. “We’re going to continue to embrace the incredible culture, the customs and the cuisine of the Caribbean,” she said. “We’ll continue focusing on trade relationships, sending more teams from Empire State Development to the islands to help give them a catalyst in dollars and resources to be successful.”


NYS Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, a longtime supporter of the parade, underscored its significance in an interview with Our Time Press: “The West Indian Labor Day Parade is significant as New York City is home to one of the largest concentrations of Caribbean Americans in the country and such a dynamic part of NYC, contributing to the arts and culture, entrepreneurship, and the business community.”


For DiNapoli, the annual event is also symbolic. “It’s a moment to say goodbye to the Summer and hello to the Fall,” he added.


This year’s parade carried an added layer of political energy, with 2025 being an election year. Alongside Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams, the parade and breakfast drew a host of elected officials and candidates, including Mayoral contender Zoran Mandani, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, and Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke.


WIADCA President Roger Archibald welcomed the heightened interest, noting:
“The growing presence of elected officials is indicative of the value that Caribbean-Americans bring to the table. They value our support.”


By mid-morning, Eastern Parkway was alive with masqueraders in elaborate costumes, steelpan and soca bands, and revelers representing islands across the Caribbean. The annual tradition — equal parts cultural showcase and political stage — once again affirmed its place as one of New York City’s most vibrant celebrations, uniting community pride with calls for resilience and recognition.

All photos by Nathaniel Adams

Make or Break

Eddie Castro
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Make or Break

By Eddie Castro
September is here. The 90-degree days and Pina colada days will be replaced with Fall leaves and Pumpkin Spice flavored products. For the New York Yankees, September is going to be a very pivotal month for the team as far as where they will stand in the playoff picture.

The team’s offense has gotten better to go along with receiving length from their starting rotation albeit their recent 7-game winning streak featured some of the worst teams in the league. As we go to press, The Yankees will be tested this month especially the first games coming against teams who are expected to make the playoffs in the American League.

The team drew some luck during their seven-game winning streak as they’ve gotten closer to stealing the American League East crown from the Toronto Blue Jays who have struggled of late. Before the Yankees began their three-game set against the Washington Nationals, they were six games behind the Blue Jays for first place in the AL East and a game behind the Boston Red Sox for the first seed in the AL Wild Card.

After sweeping the Nationals and taking three out of for games against the White Sox, the Yankees are now a game up on the Red Sox for the first Wild Card spot and 2 ½ games behind Toronto.


Players like Giancarlo Stanton, Cody Bellinger, Jazz Chisholm and Trent Grisham have caught fire with their bats and have led the way for the Yankees winning ways of late. The scary part is that their best player Aaron Judge hasn’t really got going, but it is important to point out, he has hit a home run in three straight games so maybe that is a sign of another possible hot September for the captain.

In the month of August, the team hit a total of 59 home runs which marked the second-highest total for the month in franchise history.

The pitching has been dominant during this stretch with the starting rotation collectively pitching to an ERA of 1.33 which marked the best in baseball and posting a 6-0 record. The success as far as the pitching has been led by Carlos Rodon and their rookie pitcher Cam Schlittler. Rodon has been a stabilizing force for a rotation that has been decimated by injury.

Rodon was the catalyst that stopped the bleeding for the team salvaging the fourth game in a recent series against the Red Sox. He the followed up that performance with another solid one in Chicago. Cam Schlittler could possibly be the breath of fresh air the team has been looking for all season. In the first nine starts, Schlittler has posted an ERA of 2.61 giving up just one run in a 18.2 inning stretch striking out 24 batters.


The one big question that the team will be able to answer for Yankees fans is are they good enough to win the American League Pennant and return to the World Series? The next 12 games features three games against the Houston Astros, a huge three game set at the stadium against the Blue Jays, 3 against the best team in the American League in the Detroit Tigers and another 3 in Boston.

The team must prove that their offense can also be productive against the best teams in the league. The upcoming stretch will determine if the Yankees have a realistic shot to grab another AL East crown or them fighting for one of the three Wild Card spots. This time of year is usually where the best players step up. In this case, the man that wears No.99 for the Yankees will be right in the middle of whether this Yankee team is indeed for real. We shall see just what version of the Yankees will show up during the next four series.


Sports Notes: (Football) The NFL season is finally here! If you can’t wait for your New York teams to play on Sunday, you can catch the actual 2025-26 season Kickoff tonight as the defending Champion Philadelphia Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys tonight. The Jets will welcome back a familiar face as Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers head to MetLife stadium to battle the New York Jets in quarterback Justin Fields and Head Coach Aaron Glenn Jets debut. The New York Giants head to Washington to play the Commanders on Sunday afternoon.

Come get ready for the NFL kickoff season with me and tune in tonight for another exciting episode of Sports Talk With Eddie tonight at 5pm on the Our Time Press You Tube channel.

More Than a Moment, A Movement

Editor, Our Time Press
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More Than a Moment, A Movement

Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. is remembered as the architect of the historic August 28,1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (also known as the Great March on Washington). He also is celebrated for his “I Have a Dream” speech — considered one of the greatest of the 20th century. King inspired the 250,000 of all ages who experienced the moment in D.C. and millions who watched him on television.

Yet, he always remembered the towns, neighborhoods, villages, community centers, small churches, where he continued to speak out for freedom, voter registration, economic equity, Civil Rights and more. In this photo, taken two years after the March on Washington, he is seen at a gathering in Cleveland, Ohio, delivering messages to audiences, large and small. He visited the city a dozen times, it is reported, from 1956-1967.

His presence was a factor in helping Carl B. Stokes become the first Black mayor of large city. King continues to inspire leaders as evidenced by today’s March on Wall Street captained by internationally known Rev. Al Sharpton yesterday’s Solidarity with Brooklyn’s Haitian immigrants-in-crisis spearheaded by Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso’s rally.

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