Flatbush’s Little Caribbean group in Brooklyn is about to throw a neighborhood bash they hope will arrange years of summer time enjoyable for everyone — island fashion — with the inaugural Black August Block Occasion, set for Aug. 16, from 10 a.m. to six p.m.
Photograph credit score: Safiya Jones photograph
Safiya Jones, an impartial inventive advisor and neighborhood native, is working with native companies to arrange the occasion. The thought to highlight the world’s Black and Caribbean-owned companies was first proposed final 12 months, however organizers struggled to safe the funding and permits on time, so group members ended up internet hosting a small however inspiring fundraiser at Lips Café. This 12 months, with permits in hand, they’re set to close down Martense Road — between Nostrand Avenue and Fairview Place — for a free, day-long celebration.
Organizers are planning a “full day of tradition, group, and collective energy” that includes music, performances, dominoes and spades video games, a bouncy home, water slides, free faculty provides for youths, and loads of Caribbean-flavored meals.
The Black August Block Occasion is being supported by family-owned, native companies like Antilles Café, Mr. P’s Ice Cream Store, Vargas Inventive Engagement Company, Aunts et Uncles, and BLACK + ACCESS.
Mwanze Jones, the proprietor of BLACK + ACCESS, advised the AmNews that the digital options firm might be debuting its new Bitcoin product, “Repcoin” or Reparations Coin, which focuses on Black shopping for energy. These in attendance could have the chance to buy Repcoins and use them with the occasion’s Black-owned retailers. Anybody fascinated with taking part within the Repcoin presale, which ends on Aug. 1, can discover the product at www.repcoin.retailer.
Jones mentioned organizers may even be partnering with Black nonprofits and healthcare teams as a part of the occasion, and Haitian nonprofits that assist individuals in Haiti together with different organizations like Mates of Mates NYC and NHS Brooklyn
Organizers of the block get together adopted the Black August theme with a particular objective, Jones mentioned. Native companies will honor historic Black revolutionaries and freedom fighters. For instance, Haitian revolution hero Toussaint L’Ouverture for whom Nostrand Avenue was renamed, might be highlighted.
“The block get together might be honoring that revolutionary for sure within the coronary heart of the Caribbean,” Jones mentioned. “And likewise simply honoring revolutionary messages. Their message is one among group assist, resilience, and coming collectively for a greater trigger.”
