Juneteenth is… an annual commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. Though the Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves was signed January 1, 1863, enslaved African Americans in Galveston Bay, Texas learned of their freedom from the Union Army, June 19, 1865, after the Emancipation Proclamation was announced. Juneteenth is the longest standing African American holiday observed in the United States.
By Sandra Tharas Brooklyn Children’s Museum (BCM) and community partners will host their annual Juneteenth celebration on Thursday, June 19 in Brower Park. The family-friendly event, themed “Still We Rise” in tribute to Maya Angelou’s powerful poem of resilience and determination, will feature live performances, interactive activities, and community engagement from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
The special commemoration will be presented in partnership with Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, Friends of Brower Park, Brooklyn Public Library – Brower Park Library, the Crown Heights North Association, Council Member Chi Osse, and Repair the World Brooklyn. Juneteenth offers the opportunity to acknowledge hard truths from U.S. history, celebrate the liberation of the enslaved ancestors of African Americans, and work together to advance racial healing, equity, and justice in our communities.
The celebration will take place at Shirley Chisholm Circle in Brower Park and is free and open to all. Brooklyn Children’s Museum will be open for regular admission from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, and free starting at 2:00 pm as part of its weekly Community Access Thursday hours, sponsored by Amazon.
From 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, visitors can enjoy:
-Performances by Brooklyn United Marching Band and Brooklyn Conservatory of Music
-Line dance workshops led by STooPS
-Bookmobile and storytime from Brooklyn Public Library
-Free book giveaway from Brooklyn Book Bodega
-Planting activities with Field Meridians
-A special bookmaking and quilting project led by Brooklyn Children’s Museum, inspired by the historic African American quilting community of Gee’s Bend
-Choral performances by the Brooklyn Interdenominational Choir
“Juneteenth is about celebrating freedom, family, and the importance of our resilient communities,” says Atiba T. Edwards, President and CEO of Brooklyn Children’s Museum. “At BCM, we love bringing people together. Our annual Juneteenth celebration in Brower Park is exactly what community looks like – people learning together, sharing experiences, and creating the kind of connections that make our neighborhood stronger.”
“The Friends of Brower Park is so grateful to have the support of our community partners to be able to bring back Juneteenth in Brower Park,” says Marva Henry, President of Friends of Brower Park.
by Cinque Brath My father was not recognized for his unique parenting motif, except for the occasional Father’s Day card, but Elombe Brath was a loving man with strong and unique relationships. Yet, the public knows more about his relationships with his friends and comrades than with his family.
His public identity is based on his global Pan African work: Four of the five organizations he cofounded connected Black histories and were primarily concerned with the liberation of people of the African Diaspora everywhere on the earth.
This was augmented by his long-running WBAI 89.5 radio show called Afrikaleidoscope that provided weekly analyses on what was happening in Africa & The Diaspora.
Elombe Brath, is often cited or paired in association with his work with other leaders when we hear oral histories recanted. Elders in our community pair Elombe Brath with Sonny Carson, and Elombe & Gil Noble, Elombe and Samori Marksman, Elombe & Miles Davis, just to name a few of the numerous pairs or duos, but we don’t often hear about his relationship with his first best friend, his younger brother Kwame Brathwaite, the legendary photographer, my uncle.
None of the community elders tell the story of how Leslie Scott (aka Zaccariah Abdullah), the great dancer, actor & baritone singer of the original Porgy & Bess Musical, mentored the artistic and analytical talents of these brothers when they were 12 and 10, respectively, within his group, Shabazz. Their encounter with Brother Scott led to the brothers’ eventual pioneering role in the Black Arts Movement.
Elombe Brath, left, with Brother Kwame Brathwaite.
photo courtesy of Cinque Brath
Carlos Cooks, the staunch Garveyite and leader of the African Nationalist Pioneer Movement (ANPM), was the next non-family member mentor.
As the story goes, Cooks happened to stroll into the record store where Elombe was working and made such a strong impression that my father eventually joined ANPM. Naturally, Kwame followed his brother and joined the progressive group.
They shared many experiences together, although not all of them happened at the same time. They once cofounded a graphic design company called Heiroglyphix, and collaborated on design projects daily.
From that experience, they were featured as two of the top 50 black designers in America. The collaboration is highlighted in a recently debuted book, “Where the Black Designers Are: A Life in Advocacy” by Cheryl Holmes Miller (2024).
My father and uncle were born in Brooklyn but reared in the Bronx by immigrant parents from Barbados. The brothers shared a fascination with local history, especially the untold stories of Black marginalized communities.
The creative gene was in the family; their father, Cecil T. Brathwaite, was a hard-working businessman who owned two dry cleaning businesses in Harlem, but his passion was art and painting.
He wanted his sons to be exposed to what the world had to offer, on one hand, but he believed working in the arts field was a luxury. This exposure began with taking the kids on weekend trips to Sag Harbor, but that was eschewed for community work and more socio-political education on the ground.
Their bond as brothers fueled their shared vision, and together, they transformed a teenage passion for studying history into a respected institution that preserved the past and inspired a more inclusive future.
Theirs was a passion fueled by family discussions, sometimes around the dinner, about everything that was on their mind, albeit conversations about Emmett Till being lynched or the troubles that their first cousin Clenell Wickham faced because he championed Black working-class causes against the white planter oligarchy in colonial Barbados. At the same time, Wickham was editor of The Herald newspaper.
The brothers knew that America’s rapidly changing landscape of the 1950’s would gradually shape their ideas and strategies for a deeper mission and purpose.
In 1956, Elombe (19) and Kwame (17), still teens but very mature established the Jazz Art Society, which would later become the African Jazz Art Society & Studio (AJASS), a nonprofit organization focused on preserving jazz as an African art form.
The initial goal was to promote jazz artists, rescue jazz from white interlopers, and preserve it as an African art form. They recruited other talented friends who also believed in the teachings of Marcus Garvey, including Bob Gumbs, Chris Acemandese Hall, and Frank Adu Robinson.
Within a few years, the brothers moved the organization out of their parents’ basement in a house on Kelly Street in the Bronx to a studio office near the Apollo Theater on 125th Street. Their ahead-of-its-time multi-layered organization included the AJASS repertory theater and the AJASS Griots.
Two of the most popular jazz artists of the day, Abbey Lincoln and Max Roach, came under their wings. They formed The Grandassa Models, bold, beautiful black women who would later become the engine of the Black is Beautiful movement, and the main feature of the “Naturally” shows.
In the end, the elders didn’t share enough stories about the brothers, but their heirs are proud to convey the stories of these men who jumpstarted so much, including the first Black Arts Movement Organization of the second interlude of the Black Arts Movement. (The Black Arts Movement’s first interlude was the Harlem Renaissance of the 1917 to 1930s).
One elder griot who did recognize the connection is Omowale Clay, the current chairperson of the December 12th Movement. In a May 2023 edition of The Amsterdam News, Clay, was quoted by journalist Herb Boyd emphasizing Kwame’s unbreakable connection to his older brother, Elombe, and their dedication to not only Black is Beautiful but “the struggle for self-determination.”
I remember Elombe
by David Greaves Elombe was a communicator, and it wasn’t until I began listening to him on WBAI, 99.5 FM, that I came to appreciate the depth of his knowledge, his analysis of the issues facing Black people and the work he was doing to bring information to those of us who needed it so desperately.
In 1999, I had written an article titled “Stolen Land, Stolen Labor: The Case for Reparations,” and Elombe had seen it and honored me with an invitation to speak on the radio show and share information, where before I had been just a listener.
He also invited me to his weekly Harlem forum to present the article to the group. After the lecture, Elombe took up a collection and gave me $36, which may not sound like much, but at that time, it was manna from heaven and a joy to my spirit as I did not think I had enough gas in the car to get Bernice and me back to Brooklyn.
Later, he was instrumental in having me on Gil Noble’s “Like It Is” weekly show on WABC to discuss our article Graham Weatherspoon and I did on the Amadou Diallo shooting and the images we had of dowels in the bullet holes showing the trajectory of the shots. Elombe was an unselfish source of information, inspiration, and support, and we are fortunate to have known him and benefited from the life he lived.
By Lyndon Taylor In a packed room filled with civic-minded residents and community advocates, the District 41 City Council Primary Elections Debate offered voters a first-hand look at the eight candidates vying for a pivotal seat in Brooklyn politics.
Hosted by the Atlantic Plaza Towers Tenants Council, Inc., the event was as illuminating as it was impassioned—though notably absent was the incumbent, Councilmember Darlene Mealy.
Held just weeks ahead of the Democratic primary, the forum was moderated by Sandra Eddie, Community Outreach Chairperson, who guided the candidates through a structured format that included opening remarks, a series of questions, and closing statements.
With ranked choice voting being introduced for the first time in District 41, the debate provided a crucial platform for each candidate to outline their vision and distinguish themselves in a crowded field.
While Mealy’s absence loomed large, it also galvanized her challengers, many of whom used the opportunity to argue why the current councilmember should not be among the ranked choices on the ballot.
Voices for Change Jammel Thompson, branding himself as “the change candidate,” wasted no time in asserting his platform, declaring his intent to bring “real change and bold leadership” to the district. Bianca Cunningham, a seasoned union leader and organizer of the largest retail strike in recent history, emphasized her grassroots approach. “We’re bringing the fight from the streets to City Hall,” she said, drawing enthusiastic applause.
Educator Lawman Lynch declared that District 41 “deserves better,” positioning himself as a champion of a people-centered campaign rooted in transparency and community empowerment.
Current District Manager of Brooklyn Community Board 9, Dante Arnwine, emphasized his track record in public service. “I’m bringing presence, communication, strategy, and experience,” he noted, underlining the skills he believes are needed to uplift the district.
Energy, Education, and Engagement Perhaps the most animated of the candidates was Clifton Aaron Hinton, whose electric delivery and catchy wordplay kept the audience engaged. “I’m the Clif that won’t leave you hanging, the double A that keeps on going—get the Hint, because now it’s On,” he proclaimed. Hinton emphasized the need for new leadership and said he was figuratively “taking up two seats” in the absence of the incumbent.
Eli Brown, a proud graduate of Boys and Girls High School and Columbia University, made education a central theme of his campaign. He shared plans to engage Brooklyn’s youth more deeply and meaningfully in civic life.
Brooklyn native Jamell Henderson told a moving personal story of growing up in foster care and how education changed his trajectory. “I’m here to change the narrative,” he said. “I’ll work tirelessly for your future.”
Tackling the Big Issues The two-hour debate touched on critical topics affecting the district, including affordable housing, public education, and safety. While the candidates offered varied solutions, all agreed that stronger leadership and deeper community engagement are essential to District 41’s future.
Sandra Eddie praised the candidates for their thoughtful contributions and thanked the Atlantic Plaza Towers Tenants Council, Inc. for facilitating a meaningful civic dialogue.
As the primary election nears, residents of District 41 now face an important decision—one that could chart a new course for the community, and with ranked choice voting in play for the first time, every voice, and every ranking, will count.
By Eddie Castro In last week’s Column, the New York Knicks had the tough task of attempting to complete a 3-1 deficit against the Indiana Pacers. Last Thursday night, in a packed house at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks, led by Jalen Brunson and Karl Anthony-Towns, were able to defeat the Pacers and force a Game 6 in Indiana.
Unfortunately, last Thursday’s game would prove to be the last home game for the Knicks this season.
New York was trying to make its first trip to the NBA Finals since 1999. In Game 6, fatigue appeared to be a contributing factor amongst other issues the team faced as to why they were eliminated by the Pacers in the postseason for the second year in a row. There are a few reasons why the Knicks weren’t able to take down Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers. First was New York’s failure to win the first two games at home.
I reiterated it during last week’s podcast: Game 1 could be the ultimate reason why the Knicks lost this series. In the fourth quarter of Game 1, they were up by 17 points with a little more than six minutes to go and up by 9 points with 58.8 seconds to go.
The second reason was the team trying to match Indiana’s tempo style of play. All season long, the Knicks’ identity was to play good enough defense and slow the pace of games.
In this Pacers series, it appeared Coach Tom Thibodeau was trying to match their speed instead of controlling the game’s pace. The game plan obviously failed. During the regular season, the Knicks ranked 27th in pace at 97.64 possessions per 48 minutes, where Indiana ranked 7th at 100.76. Last but not least were the turnovers and the defense.
New York gave up the second-most points per 100 possessions of any team in a Conference finals in the last 18 seasons. Their defense was just downright horrible. In Game 6, New York committed 18 turnovers. In this series, the Knicks committed more turnovers than the Pacers did, with the exception of one game.
Overall, the Knicks lost the turnover margin 93-75. With turnovers came instant, easy offense for Indiana. Those turnovers turned into points as Indiana crushed New York in points off turnovers by a score of 140-61.
So the question is, was this the Knicks’ highest ceiling to reach the NBA finals? This will be one of the most important off-seasons for the Knicks in recent memory. General Manager Leon Rose must address many things with this current roster.
The first duty should be adding depth. Indiana’s ability to play 10 to 11 players and get consistent minutes out of them became a huge advantage for them. In this Conference Finals, the Knicks had five players who averaged 8 points per game while the Pacers had eight. Having a bench is essential in today’s NBA.
Another question mark that will surround the team is whether they can add another star next to Jalen Brunson. The Knicks gave up a good portion of first-round (5 first-rounders 4 unprotected picks) to Brooklyn to acquire Mikal Bridges. Bottom line is there needs to be a huge upgrade to the roster if the team hopes to take the next step towards championship supremacy.
Sports Notes: (Basketball) although the New York Knicks are out of the playoffs, there is still two teams left. The NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers. (Baseball) The Yankees wrap up a three-game set tonight vs the Cleveland Guardians at Yankee Stadium.
The team will then play the rival Boston Red Sox for the first time this season tomorrow night. As we go to press, the New York Mets have won four straight games and 7 out of their last 8. The team will wrap up their three-game set with the Dodgers tonight, then head to the Mile High City for a three-game set vs the Colorado Rockies.
Our Time Press universe, tune in to talk sports with Eddie in a brand new episode tonight at 5 PM live on our YouTube channel. Call in as I’ll discuss where the Knicks go from here and just how good the New York Mets can be this year if healthy.
Eric Adams stands at a pivotal moment in New York City’s history—not only as a mayor managing complex urban challenges, but as the second Black mayor in the city’s history. Historically, Black leadership in high office has often been met with outsized scrutiny and a lack of patience. David Dinkins, the city’s first Black mayor, served only one term, and his legacy has often been overshadowed despite his measured approach to governance and the groundwork he laid for the city’s future stability.
When President Barack Obama completed two terms as President, it wasn’t just a political victory—it was a psychological and symbolic triumph for millions of Black Americans who saw, for the first time, that the highest office in the land was within reach. It expanded the realm of possibility for what Black leadership could achieve when given the opportunity to govern without premature dismissal.
Eric Adams may not be perfect, and fair criticism of his policies is part of a healthy democracy. But in deciding whether to support him for a second term, Black voters should weigh not just individual policies but also the broader implications of continuity in Black leadership. Denying him a full two terms without affording him the same latitude historically given to white mayors could reinforce the harmful perception that Black leaders are unequipped for long-term governance.
Reelecting Adams could serve as both a practical and symbolic investment in the visibility, credibility, and viability of Black leadership—not just for New York, but for the nation.
