This Year’s Bed-Stuy Alive! Honored the Heartbeat of the Community, The Volunteers

The Bed-Stuy Alive! Collective Committee celebrated its 20th anniversary last Saturday, October 12. It was yet another festive occasion paying tribute to the rich culture, history, arts, architecture and residents of that corner of the universe, known for its grand brownstone-lined blocks and resilient people all combined to comprise the work of art, known as Bedford-Stuyvesant. This annual festival features dance, music performances, a market, information booths, health screenings, children’s activities, market, and much more.

Each year, BSA pays tribute to the late Tohma Faulkner, one of its original founders, through a heartwarming ceremonial awards event, complete with African drumming, libation and emotional speeches. Through the years, dozens of known and little-known leaders have been spotlighted.

This year, BSA organizers Stephanie Faulkner and her daughter Sade Faulkner, decided to highlight the caring, reliable men and women who sustain the annual BSA event by giving back to make it all happen, year after year: the volunteers, who are the collective backbone of the community, and, thus, its true builders. These hard workers are seated here in the photo above, with other trailblazing community leaders.

In the back row, fifth and sixth from left, respectively, are this year’s event organizers and hosts, Stephanie Faulkner and Sade Faulkner. The Faulkner mother-duo are flanked by, from left, community leaders Wayne Devonish, Shaniqua Faulkner, Gail Gaines, Sylvia Levy, (the Faulkners), the Honorable Annette Robinson, Brian Williams, community culture advocate Peggy Alston, and Assemblywoman Stefani Zinerman; bottom row, left to right are: Sandra Williams, Anna Bloodworth, Annette Merritt, Evelyn Collier, Dale Charles, Elizabeth Ivey Wallace and Martha Works. Other members, unpictured, who participated: Melissa Plowdon and the Honorable Robert Cornegy. (Photo: Courtesy of Cyrille Phipps and Benita Wynn.