Our Time PressThe Local Paper with the Global View

By Keith L. Forest

On Saturday, March 10, 2018, pillars from the Bedford Stuyvesant community gathered together to pay homage to McDonald’s Diner and its former owner Clara Walker. Once a major destination in the historic Stuyvesant Height section of Bedford-Stuyvesant, the restaurant had long closed its doors leaving a lifetime of memories behind.

“Before there was Clara there was John,” shared Joe Long, a lifetime Bedford Stuyvesant resident/advocate and owner of legendary Birdel’s Records formerly located on Nostrand Avenue. According to Mr. Long, Mr. McDonald looked forward to retiring and returning home to North Carolina, their home state. However, Mr. Long warned his friend to put in place someone to continue the McDonald’s Diner legacy. “He found that in Clara, his former manager. I’m just thankful to be here and share with you the history of this place. I pray that under you Samantha it will carry on the history that we (the residents of the community) built on the corner of Macon and Stuyvesant Avenue.”

Re-christened Mama Fox Restaurant, the new establishment is owned and operated by Samantha DiStefano.  DiStafano sponsored the afternoon gathering honoring former owner Clara Walker. “I feel extremely grateful and privileged to take over this space and turn it back into another community restaurant,” declared DiStefano.

The well-attended affair, hosted by Bed-Stuy Resident and Community Board 3 member Evelyn Collier, included an unveiling of  Ms. Walker’s portrait.  The decorative-framed, black and white image will have a permanent home at the establishment. Ms. Walker was unable to attend. However, her son, Rachiim Ausar- Sahu, a world-renowned jazz artist was present.

Former Councilman Al Vann, who was born and raised in the community, shared how growing up around the corner on Herkimer between Albany and Schenectady shaped his worldview. “We weren’t allowed to live on this side of Fulton Street yet,” He recalls. However, the area referred to as the jungle, was booming with black-owned businesses that stretched from Utica Avenue to Troy Avenue. These establishments were later wiped out when they built Boys and Girls High School.

Vann reflected on how going to McDonald’s Diner was like “stepping out!” A major event that one would have to get dressed to attend. According to Vann, McDonald’s Diner was the one place where renowned black leaders, celebrities, athletes, and clergy gathered. “We are not looking for what used to be. It’s good to know there is a continuation, that a foundation was made here. I know Ms. Walker will be happy to know that there will be a concern here to serve the community.”

In April of 2017, Ms. Walker traveled to Brooklyn from Atlanta, GA to participate in a historic oral history project sponsored by the Macon, McDonough, Lewis, and Stuyvesant (MMSL) Block Association. Along with her son Rachiim Ausar- Sahu, Ms. Walker sat for an hour-long interview in the former home of her McDonald’s Diner reflecting on her legacy. The final footage is available for viewing online at mystuy.org.

Keith L. Forest is a seasoned entrepreneur, Marketing professor, proud Bedford-Stuyvesant homeowner and community advocate. Committed to serving others Forest recently formed A Greater Good, NYC, Inc. a nonprofit organization committed to serving marginalized communities through the arts, entrepreneurial endeavors, educational advancement and explorative engagements.

March is women’s history month and the beginning of spring. It was much more than that for action women Brenda Thompson-Duchene, executive director & founder, Isabahlia Ladies of Elegance Foundation, and Denise Cosom, founder, Visionary & CEO, Young Gents Society, Inc.

These inspiring advocates for our community were honored with the Citizens Committee for New York City 2018 Marietta Tree Awards for Public Service for their respective efforts in improving the quality of life – and impacting change — for residents in their neighborhoods.

Marietta Peabody Tree represented the United States on the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, appointed under the administration of John F. Kennedy.

Others who won award last Monday evening included: Ken Lipper, CEO, Lipper & Co. LLC (New Yorker for New York Award); Stephen C. Savage, chair, New York State Center for Clean Water Technology 9Daniel Patrick Moynihan Award for Public Service) and Vernon E. Jordan, Jr., Senior Counsel, Akin Gump, and Senior Managing Director, Lazard (Osborn Elliott Award for Community Leadership).

New York City Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill presented the awards to Ms. Thompson-Duchene and Ms. Cosom, whose family members and staff member were present at the event.

On March 17, 2018, Beatrice Liqui will turn 90 years young. Born on March 17, 1928, in Tiplersville, Mississippi, Beatrice Liqui is a highly accomplished woman of color who has decades of experience in entrepreneurial and academic endeavors alike. A self-described “mighty woman” and devout follower of the Christian faith, Beatrice Liqui is a treasure trove of rich stories of success and triumph, all of which she recalls in vivid detail. Ms. Liqui’s life is rife with examples of strong values and ideals which in turn have served to facilitate and sustain the enormous amount of success that she has had throughout her remarkable life.

At the age of 18, Beatrice Liqui purchased a Soul Food Restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee known as “Our Way” making her an exceedingly young entrepreneur by most standards.  “Our Way,” which was in existence for six years, was conveniently located across the street from a factory, so men who worked at the factory frequented the restaurant, according to Ms. Liqui. In her own words, “we gave them [the men who worked at the factory] credit and they paid us on Friday” when referring to her lenient policy towards her most loyal client base. Descriptively, Ms. Liqui recalls “I used to cook soul food, collard greens, potato salad, candied yams…” in reflecting on her experience as an entrepreneur. Interestingly enough, Ms. Liqui stated “I couldn’t get a license [for her restaurant] because I was only 18, so my cousin got the license for me.”

In 1951, what was supposed to be a two-week vacation to NY for Ms. Liqui, turned into a long term stay in the Big Apple. Initially, Ms. Liqui went to school, but “did not finish because” she “caught on too quickly.” Consequently, Ms. Liqui began working on 23^rd street in Manhattan at a company “making parts for airplanes (controller) using fiberglass.” Shortly thereafter, Ms. Liqui began working at a company called Radio Electronics working with, as you might have correctly guessed, electronics. While at this company, Ms. Liqui created “a missile that tracked into space.” No that was not a typo, a missile.  Eventually, Ms. Liqui relocated to Hicksville, Long Island where she began working for German Aircraft Engineering as a technician. Additionally, Ms. Liqui also served as a Professor at New York University teaching dental technology. Ms. Liqui had a successful professional career at NYU despite naysayers who told her that it wasn’t possible.

A Hidden Figure Made Visible

In addition to being a woman of strong faith and academic inclination, Ms. Liqui can also add to her long list of accolades, being a woman who worked with NASA. From 1961 until 1969, Ms. Liqui was an employee at NASA. In that sense, Ms. Liqui joins the ranks of women who have worked in STEM related capacities at NASA such as Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn, and Mary Jackson all of whom became household names through the well-received film, Hidden Figures.  In her own words, “I made the first vehicles that went to the moon (the Apollo program) and back…I was the technician that built everything.” in reflecting on her time with NASA. Rightfully so, Ms. Liqui’s contribution to the Apollo program got her two certificates of recognition acknowledging her effort.

Just the Beginning

In 1969, after completing her stint with NASA, Ms. Liqui embarked on yet another professional endeavor. She enrolled in courses to be a dental technician. It was also around this time that Ms. Liqui was encouraged to pursue a state certificate licensing her to teach. From approximately 1972 until 1982, Ms. Liqui held a teaching position at the New York School of Mechanical Dentistry.

A Woman Grounded in her Faith

In 1990, Ms. Liqui joined the Brooklyn Tabernacle. Since joining this congregation, Ms. Liqui has been involved with the visitation ministry, the choir as a singer, and the group Seniors in Action. Additionally, Ms. Liqui has served as a tutor “and mother to many spiritual daughters and sons that she has mentored.” Moreover, Ms. Liqui is “ordained to teach the gospel.”

A Word from the Wise

In closing, Ms. Liqui had some pearls of wisdom to share with the younger generation. Ms. Liqui feels that “young people need to be motivated” and stressed the need for “training.” Specifically, Ms. Liqui feels that “college is okay…I didn’t go to engineering school, but I could do more work than the engineers could…sat down and took the parts…resistors, transformers.” Ms. Liqui believes that “all people can learn, they just need the right direction.” Moreover, Ms. Liqui warns against having a superficial title with no money to accompany it. In so doing, specifically Ms. Liqui says, “my mother gave me a name when I was born, I don’t need a title (with no money) …I was the first dental technologist in America.”

Priscilla Mensah covers topics related to improving health, wellness, and overall community empowerment. She is also a former Health Reporting Fellow at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism and can be reached at pmensahbrooklyn@gmail.com.

Young people will give you all kinds of reasons as to why they need to call you back. They may be at the mall shopping or hanging with friends. They may be playing their favorite video game or headed to a party. I thought I heard it all until I called Jadayah Spencer. Her reason for having to call me back?

“I’m going through the United Nations security desk and you aren’t allowed to be on the phone while checking in. I’ll call you back.” That reason speaks directly to the nature of Ms. Jadayah Spencer. The 22-year-old from Bed-Stuy is a woman on the move, literally. This NYU graduate is the Executive Director of the International Youth Leadership Institute. She is also the co-Chair of the Youth Representative Steering Committee at the UN Dept. of Public Information. She’s already been on 5 continents, and her life’s work is sure to bring even more stamps to her passport. She speaks to her mission with superior confidence and candor. “The most important thing to know about me, I suppose, is that I am out to broaden the horizons of young people, leveraging travel and international and cultural exchange. I guess that’s the most important thing. I want every Black and Brown child to be able to experience the beauty of the many cultures that exist in our Diaspora.”

Her passion for global connection started as a toddler. She attended Little Sun People Day Care Center, an institution that has cared for our community’s toddlers for almost 40 years. Here, as a child, Jadayah began to learn about the world. She was introduced to languages like Swahili and Spanish and taught a global view and perspective. This perspective was reinforced and strengthened in her home, where her parents made sure that she built a healthy curiosity for the world around her. The Bedford-Stuyvesant community is a worldly community, and an educator in its own way. From her bedroom window, Jadayah can recall hearing African drums, the rhythm of Samba, the steel pan of Caribbean music and the beat of hip-hop. She recalls the love which defined her community, and she also remembers the dangers that existed. When she was 6, a stray bullet tore through her bedroom window, lodging itself about a foot above her bed. Still, the dangers never caused her or her family to wilt. Jadayah’s father was, in part, responsible for cleaning the block up and uprooting drug dealers and loitering from in front of her childhood building. The strength of her foundation would help Jadayah stretch her wings and fly. As a senior in high school, she was introduced to the International Youth Leadership Institute, an organization which focuses on cultivating critical thinkers and leaders through the education of history, culture and geography. Her dreams of global connection became a reality as a volunteer with IYLI. “Being a kid from Bed-Stuy, I always wanted to see the world but was afraid that it was way too expensive. IYLI provided a scholarship that enabled me to go. We first went to Tanzania, and that was the gateway I needed.” Her experiences abroad shaped her ideals and fueled her passions. “I just decided to never leave IYLI.” And she hasn’t. From volunteer to group leader, to board member and now as Executive Director, Jadayah has utilized the many resources available to create and foster global connections. And now she wants the same for every Black and Brown child. “I want to enable every Black and Brown child in the United States to be able to travel to a country in the African Diaspora. Imagine if the conversation in the hood went from, what sneakers are you rocking to what country did you go to last summer? Imagine if we had that kind of dynamic in our communities, where we are proud to embrace each other across continents, understanding that we are all a part of one story. Everyone is embracing Wakanda now, but Africa as a continent really is there, and you can really visit it.” Her advice to her peers and even her elders is, “There is no age limit to the kind of impact that you can make. We don’t have to wait until we are older to start making changes in our community. We can start making an impact in our community right now. Start thinking about how the things we do today will have an impact on others tomorrow. And travel as far as you can and as much as you can. Find ways to see the world. Minimum wage doesn’t have to equal minimum possibility.” From Little Sun People to the United Nations, Jadayah Spencer is on a mission to bring the world to our youth. And if her confidence is any indicator, she’s going to succeed at it.