Support Local Brooklyn Women

There are various minorities in Brooklyn, New York but the group that seems to get the most focus is the African Americans. Here, we look at how women in business are faring in the area – and how great it is these days to be part of the women of Brooklyn.

So first we’ll take a look at Radical Women. Located on Tompkins Avenue, these 4 women opened their boutique store to give women the opportunity to stay on trend, in fashion and empowered. The four female entrepreneurs are self-described “daughters, artists, mothers, sisters, lovers, bosses, anthropologists, givers, liberators, designers, warriors, care givers, peace makers, hell raisers, heart breakers,” which they believe is “radical.” They purport that they were “destined to build this community,” as they work on creating a safe and comfortable space for women to thrive. Currently their featured collections include items made by: Anat Fritz, NOK, Ashaka Givens and Lamine Kouyaté’s XULY.Bët brand.

For amazing resources, make sure to check out the Brooklyn Women’s Exchange, which has been working for centuries to “support independent craftspeople from Brooklyn and beyond.” There, you will find amazing handmade crafts, clothes for kids, toys, gifts and so much more all carefully created by local artisans. This not-for-profit organization gives 70 cents of every dollar spent directly to the crafter.

The organization started in 1854 as a need to support struggling women, many of whom “found themselves in need of income but with no means of support. Following the lead of church ministers who were training indigent women in the craft of needlework, a group of concerned local women began the Brooklyn Female Employment Society providing a discreet enterprise, or “exchange,” through which women could sell their needlework and handcrafts. As the organization evolved into the Brooklyn Women’s Exchange, a small sewing school and storefront enabled women to care for their families and earn income without having to work in a factory or other dangerous environment.” 

And then there are the  Black Women Meetups. Recent events have been: NYC Restaurant Week: Gourmet “Fashionista” Italian Dinner; Exhibit and Brunch: Footwear from Stuart Weitzman – Historic Shoes; and the most recent one which took place just three days ago: Daniel: Fine Dining “Foodie” Extravaganza.

 So these days women are faring pretty well in Brooklyn. Long may that continue.

Carroll Gardens Greenmarket

Located between Smith and Court Streets across from Carroll Park on Sundays between 8am and 2pm throughout the year, this makes a great brunch meeting place for locals and tourists. Buy beautiful fresh cut flowers and locally grown produce as well as grass-fed beef and a whole lot more. Vendors include: Jersey Farm, Fishkill Farms, Haywoods Fresh, DiPaola Turkeys, Hot Bread Chicken, etc.

Free Yoga for Kensingtoners!

Thanks to the generosity of a grant from the Citizens Committee For New York City – together with support from Bend & Bloom Yoga and Arts & Democracy – free outdoor yoga classes were offered at Avenue C Plaza, Kensington.  The brainchild of The Kensington Stewards, the six week series – led by a certified yoga instructor – took place every Monday night for an hour.

The goal of The Kensington Stewards in this endeavor was to bring more neighbors in to Avenue C Plaza to take advantage of what is being offered.  White tents were set up for the yoga classes. 

The classes were a huge success and a whole cross-section of Kensington demographic turned up.  It was also a demonstration of unification of Kensington, Brooklyn.

Last of the Summer Whine….

The longest running British sitcom was called Last of the Summer Wine.  I guess parents of little kids may think of that (whine) when it comes to the end of the seemingly way too long summer break from school.  For those, it’s more like summer vacation and the livin’ ‘aint easy….when you’ve got small kids.

Well, the good news is you can amuse your kids at neighborhood parks thanks to City Parks Foundation’s PuppetMobile.  Performances of The Big Good Wolf are being shown today, tomorrow and Friday at the following locations:

Marion Hopkinson Park, Bed-Stuy – Wednesday, August 22 at 11am
Owl’s Head Park, Bay Ridge – Thursday, August 23 at 11am
South Oxford Park, Fort Greene – Friday, August 24 at 11am

This project and others like it is park of the goal of City Parks Foundation to “transform NYC parks into vibrant centers of urban life through sports, arts, community building and education programs.”

Look out for details of similar events as well as puppet-making workshops throughout NYC. Before you know it, the kids will be back in school!

Building and Infrastructure News

The City Planning Commission was (unanimously) approved the proposed 80 Flatbush Avenue’s mixed use project. Earlier this year the Brooklyn Community Board actually rejected the proposal put forward by Eric Adams, Brooklyn Borough President who requested a significant height reduction on one of the towers. Should the project be approved by the City Council it will then go ahead.

Plans include the creation of 900 apartments (within what would be Brooklyn’s second largest tower measuring at 986 feet!). There will also be two schools, retail and cultural space. Meanwhile over at 571 Ocean Parkway, permits were filed for an eight story residential building in Kensington. Should this be approved the property is great for public transportation, as it is located a mere six blocks from the 18th Avenue subway station and ten blocks from Hewkirk Plaza subway station. It won’t be as tall as the one on Flatbush Avenue measuring in at a mere 80 feet and offering 31 residential units.

JRAD Throwing Stones

Last month the JRAD Throwing Stones played in Prospect Park Bandshell, in Brooklyn. See them here:

Short Films

Spike Lee and Uber are working on a joint venture to “fight the power.”  A series of short films will be shown focusing on the people behind the scenes in Lee’s favorite borough of New York – Brooklyn.  Entitled ‘Uber Presents Da Republic of Brooklyn,’ any Uber drivers choosing to take part in the movies are being compensated for their time and project participation.

Lee said:

“I was attracted to this project because I know a lot of people who drive on the Uber platform and it gives them the flexibility they need to pursue their dreams. That’s how we do it in Brooklyn – that’s the Brooklyn hustle.”

The series features   “Malka,” “Sunny,” “Domingo,” “Keith,” and “Rodney” and can be viewed on Uber Presents.