Fort Greene Park Change-Makers Podcast
This podcast series, digitally curated by Kyra Assibey-Bonsu, features Fort Greene Park’s community Change Makers. The series evolved out of our Black History & Culture of Fort Greene Tour. At the conservancy, we love to celebrate community members who make Fort Greene neighborhood and park a better place for all.
Shaquana Boykin
Shaquana lives in NYCHA’s Walt Whitman Houses in Fort Greene, where she is raising two teenagers.
She was born in Crown Heights and is a product of New York City public schools, including CUNY’s Kingsborough Community College and New York City College of Technology.
In recent years, Shaquana has worked at the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project as an engagement coordinator with NYCHA’s Ingersoll Houses, and with Brooklyn Movement Center as the food sovereignty organizer.
Sadiq Bellamy
DJ Leonardo “Sadiq” Bellamy moved from the Lower East Side to Fort Greene in the early 90’s with the hopes of bringing with him the street parties he had helped build there, while also encouraging the black cultural renaissance happening in Brooklyn.
The result was Soul Summit, which has become a staple of Fort Greene Park’s rich cultural history.
This party grew to become not only a celebration of music but also a gathering for the community, as neighbors, public advocates, the community board and elected officials fought for its preservation and development over the years.
Manushka Magloire
Bringing an activist, justice-and-democracy-centered commitment to her expertise in marketing, project management, and consultation, Brooklyn-based Manushka Magloire is the Head of Partnerships for the arts organization For Freedoms.
In Los Angeles for the autumn 2021 Hear Her Here pop up activation in partnership with BlackImage Center, The Black Family Archive, and Converse—a celebration and exhibition of the work of Black femme artists—Magloire spoke with PARIS LA editor Dorothée Perret about the power of art and the evolving mission.
Lisa & Keith
Lisa and Keith met at BAM Café Live. Lisa is a fashion designer, fiber artist and stylist. Keith is a filmmaker with decades of experience in community development. They had a synergy and a shared desire to hold space for diverse artists in a rapidly changing neighborhood. As curated creative spaces developed, they wondered “where is the opportunity for folks who don’t fit this specific profile, such as the grandma from Bed-Stuy who makes homemade soap on her spare time?” Keith saw an opportunity with the Brooklyn Medical Center, which is at the cultural crossroads of Brooklyn but sits empty on weekends.
Formed in 2009, the ethos of the Fulton Flea is to honor and support the creativity of anyone who wants to come out of their shell and show their work. Every season, there are 10 to 15 regular vendors, with a handful of others that join fill-in.
Together, Lisa and Keith are facilitators, convenors and catalysts. Their vision for this goes beyond a flea market. Their hope is to create a true marketplace and meeting ground that combines creativity and economy, and invites neighbors to be curious and community-oriented.
Amy Andrieux
With over 20 years of experience, my greatest strength rests in curating content and programming campaigns intended for global audiences across print, digital, video, mobile, and live events.
My specialties include Editorial Strategy & Curation, Film Development and Production Management, Digital Media Development, Talent Development, Campaign Strategy and Execution, and Project Management, with a streamlined focus on culture and social justice.