Our Time PressThe Local Paper with the Global View

Last month, the Brooklyn Public Library announced the establishment of the first public musical instrument lending library in New York City.

The Central Library is offering adult library patrons, at no cost, violins, guitars, ukuleles, keyboard, drum ads and music stands for a period of two months. Only requirements: a current BPL library card and less than $15 in library fines.

Now, just a few short weeks later, due to high demand, every last one of the library’s musical instrument

s are currently unavailable.

BPL’s Musical Instrument Lending Library was designed in partnership with The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. So, to find out whether an instrument is available to borrow, and get on the waiting list, e-mail musicloan@bklynlibrary.org with your request.

The American Library Association’s 2014 Public Library Data Service Statistical Report ranked BPL third in the nation among public libraries for public programs offered and program attendance.

Books & Beats Program Aims to Combat Summer Slide and Encourage Students to Read

Brooklyn, NY—Brooklyn Public Library kicked off its 2018 Summer Reading Program this month on Saturday, hosting over 75 musical performances and activities throughout the weekend and encouraging students to visit neighborhood libraries over the summer.

It is estimated that summer breaks cause the average student to lose up to one month of instruction per year, with students from low-income families disproportionately affected.

Children of all ages can enter a drawing for a grand prize: a set of books specially curated for 13 lucky winners. Eligible activities include posting a book review, checking out a library book or attending one of approximately 13,000 library programs offered over the summer.

Children and families will be able to track their summer reading using Beanstack, an online mobile-first program which encourages and tracks reading. Writing a review qualifies kids to enter a random drawing for a pair of Bluetooth headphones (or a set of picture books for young children).

Last year, the Summer Reading Program provided 142,000 participants with book lists, literacy-building activities, engaging games and competitive reading challenges. Over 232,000 people attended Summer Reading Programs in 2017.

“Reading is the foundation for learning and academic success,” said National Grid Foundation Board member Reverend Gary V. Simpson, pastor of Historic Concord Baptist Church of Christ. “We are delighted to support Brooklyn Public Library’s 2018 Summer Reading Program.”

To sign up and learn more about summer reading, visit: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/summer-reading.

Meet the Musically Inclined Kanneh-Mason Family

British cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, 19, started playing cello at age six and came into the global spotlight last May when he performed at the Roya

l Wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. But the offstage story of this young musician who counts Bob Marley as an idol, is one to be spotlighted, too. His parents, Dr. Kadia Kanneh-Mason and Stuart Mason, spent “every penny of (their) money on music for the seven children,” according to Ms. Kanneh-Mason in 2016. They used borrowed instruments until a wealthy donor stepped in. “What do other families do?” she asked a Daily Mail writer, noting that one of Sheku’s strings could cost as much as $110, and a cello bow $2,000. It appears the Kanneh-Mason family will not have that worry moving forward. For more information, visit Sheku’s official website: shekukannehmason.com.

“Dekawowo!” (Solidarity!) is the call to gather as the 47^th Annual International African Arts Festival (IAAF) claims Saturday, June 30^th – Wednesday, July 4^th at beautiful Commodore Barry Park in Fort Greene as the place and dates during which it will once again steal hearts and lift spirits. From 10am till 9pm each day, rain or shine, those fortunate enough to make their way to the IAAF will take part in a cultural gathering that’s been at the forefront of summer fun since 1971, when it started out as a block party to commemorate the end of the school year for Uhuru Sasa Shule (Freedom Now School).

The event, then named the African Street Carnival, was held on Claver Place, which just earlier this week was co-named “Jitu Weusi Way,” after the founder/leader of The EAST, a Black cultural nationalist organization that created the school for the children of its members and for families in the community. One might be tempted to call this first one a “humble little block party,” but it was never that. It was an inaugural event emerging brash and beautiful, with stellar live jazz, electrifying African dance, wildly creative African style, beautiful faces, delicious food and joyful people. It almost immediately outgrew its location, moving to Boys and Girls High School for decades, and eventually to its current location.

This 47^th year offers a great lineup, as always, this time with the inclusion of the First Annual African Documentary Film Festival, of which Weusi would surely be proud. Festivalgoers will enjoy a fantastic schedule of music and dance performances and workshops, an outdoor party with a DJ, a traditional African worship ceremony, fashion and natural hair shows, childrens’ events, a symposium, and more. Not to mention the merchants from across the globe selling paintings and sculpture, musical instruments, crafts, jewelry, culturally-inspired clothing, food, and more. See more information in this issue of OTP and visit The Festival’s website for schedule details. (www.iaafestival.org, or call 718-638-6700). The Festival is open 10am to 9pm each day, rain or shine, with a $5 suggested donation for adults and $2 for children.

As always, community support is critical for The Festival. Some people have assumed that the IAAF must have had deep funding to keep things going all these years. They see a continuing success in terms of attendance, programming and beautiful energy and assume that there is a secret pot of money somewhere.

But that was not the case. The community’s financial support during the Boys and Girls High years allowed for high-profile entertainment in the eighties and nineties. Gil Scott-Heron, Eddie Palmieri, Sun Ra, Lauryn Hill, Hezekiah Walker’s Love Fellowship Choir, Roy Ayers, Black Star and India Arie were among the many who performed for The Festival crowd. And Fela, Burning Spear, The Mighty Sparrow, Third World and others were flown in from across the world to captivate audiences.

Although The Festival still has fabulous entertainment, it can no longer afford the more expensive bookings it could at Boys and Girls High, when there was a low, but set, entrance fee. Each person who entered contributed to keeping it thriving. But when the school grounds were no longer available, the financial picture changed dramatically.

Because the IAAF is now held at a public park, it cannot charge admission, but ask only for a suggested donation. Although that amount hasn’t changed in decades, many people still decline to contribute. Some will put a single dollar in the box. Many walk by without contributing at all, although the suggested donation allows access to the grounds for almost 12 hours. Meanwhile, if someone sees a show at the Blue Note, he or she may be charged $65 and asked to leave when the first set is over. The Black consciousness movements at the time of The Festival’s inception were committed to supporting community endeavors. It’s hoped that we can once again safeguard what’s important by being responsible cultural consumers.

The IAAF remains one of the safest places to go for entertainment. Children can freely play on the grounds and there has never been people running from gunfire or the threat of stampeding crowds in response to other forms of violence. Instead, The Festival is known for the great happenings, like a child being born there, a wedding taking place and Stevie Wonder touring the event. It’s occasions like these, along with the everyday goodness of the vibes that keep Mark Scott and his family returning each year.

“My wife and I have been coming for about 18 years,” said Scott. “Our son was probably a little older than one year when we first started vending our business KhemitKids at the festival. We knew we needed the social, cultural and economic support that festival offered. It’s an incubator for all the things we need to grow our community. It provides safety for our ideas, nurtures our intergenerational relationships and continuity for our economy.”

Shukuru Sanders was an early member of The EAST and remembers the early events. She’s lived in California for decades now, but comes back to enjoy The Festival whenever she can. And for her, The Festival is, first and foremost, the people.

“I just love the Festival!” Sanders said. “I love coming to see family and friends,” Sanders said. “One of the smartest moves Jitu ever made, was when it came time to characterize our group, he said it was gonna be a family. To me, that was so important, because it changed the dynamic of how we all related to each other. Even though organization is very important, as a family it was even stronger.”

Bro. Kahamu is a longtime volunteer at The Festival and once vended there, selling books and Mama Abimbola’s famous carrot cakes.

“This is an example of the great work Jitu Weusi did for the community and I try to do whatever I can to help keep it going,” he said. “I work at the gate, greet the people when they come in and ask them for their donations. I’ve worked various volunteer positions there for about 40 years, I also attend various events around the city leading up to The Festival where I think large crowds of Black people are likely to be, and I distribute flyers to help publicize.”

Those who know and love the IAAF can help to spread the word as well and perhaps bring someone who’s never been. Commodore Barry Park is located on Navy Street, downtown Brooklyn between Park and Flushing Avenues.

Last week, Senator Montgomery congratulated DREAMS YouthBuild at their 10^th anniversary and commencement ceremony at Antioch Baptist Church.

YouthBuild is a comprehensive program for unemployed, out-of-school youth ages 17-24, to obtain high school equivalency diplomas, job and leadership skills, secure employment, and go on to college or vocational school. It is also one of the most effective and successful youth diversion programs in New York State. Additionally, Youthbuild students deliver hundreds of hours of community service while producing and preserving affordable housing in their communities. Since 1994, 41,000 units of affordable housing have been produced or upgraded by 150,000 YouthBuild students across the US. Over 5,000 of those students have been New Yorkers.

“Raise the Age is more than a slogan, it’s about creating pathways for all of our young people to succeed. YouthBuild is a major part of that opportunity pipeline. Young men and women who are out of school and out of work are particularly susceptible to getting caught up in the criminal justice system, even though they have all the potential in the world,” said Senator Velmanette Montgomery. “We don’t do nearly enough in our state for young people. However, YouthBuild does it right. We need this program, we need to talk about it and support it and expand it. This is why I introduced the New York State YouthBuild Act.”

After addressing YouthBuild graduates, Senator Montgomery joined Reverend Robert M. Waterman, Pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, for a walkthrough of the landmarked adjoining brownstone owned by the church. Under the supervision of Construction Supervisor Dathan Freeman, YouthBuild students honed their skills by renovating the aging brownstone from the ground floor up. This included deep fixes such as the gut renovation of bathrooms, the relocation of pipes and water lines, electrical upgrades and building cabinetry. They also skim coated and repainted the walls, retiled floors, installed hard wood floors and installed new windows.

“During the beginning not knowing how to do many things at first was extremely challenging, but the process and experience of learning the different trades became one of my biggest accomplishments” expressed Cailan Lee Riviears, a YouthBuild student who worked on the project.

“This project was instrumental in introducing YouthBuild students to the history of brownstones and the intricacies of renovation and restoration. As they restore this brownstone and give it a second chance, their lives are also being restored through the YouthBuild program,” said Reverend Robert M. Waterman. “I was more than happy to turn over Antioch Baptist Church’s Neighborhood House to give them the opportunity they needed to be successful.”

“Rehabbing the Neighborhood House at the historic landmarked 100-year old Antioch Baptist Church of Brooklyn instills a sense of pride and accomplishment to the DREAMS YouthBuild students who reside in the Bedford Stuyvesant community,” shared Ditashiah Kohn, Director of YouthBuild Programs.

Nonprofit organizations who are interested in having DREAMS students take on a project in the community may contact the Director, Ditashiah Kohn at 718-455-4308 or dkohn@shfinc.org.

-Submitted by Shakti Robbins-Cubas