NYC Gazette

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso recently hosted an event celebrating Black History Month with a focus on African art and music. The annual event, titled "Brooklyn is Africa: Lineage & Power Through the Arts," was co-hosted with Eric Edwards and the Cultural Museum of African Art. This year's theme aligned with the national Black History Month theme, "African Americans and Labor," honoring labor icon A. Philip Randolph.

The event began with vocalists from A Song for Life performing "Lift Every Voice and Sing." Remarks were made by Borough President Reynoso, Eric Edwards, and NYC Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Laurie Cumbo. A tribute to A. Philip Randolph featured Pastor Keyonn Wright-Sheppard alongside the Noel Pointer Foundation String Ensemble. Guests enjoyed performances by the Brooklyn High School of the Arts Jazz Ensemble and explored displays of rare African art. Culinary offerings were provided by Chef Lex and the Brownsville Community Culinary Center.

"Black history is American history," said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. He emphasized the importance of preserving these stories through events like this one.

Proclamations were awarded to The Noel Pointer Foundation for its 30th anniversary and to the Cultural Museum of African Art for its contributions to New York City's cultural landscape. This year marked a new venue for the event at the Cultural Museum of African Art, which opened in Winter 2023.

Dr. Eric Edwards highlighted Brooklyn's cultural significance, stating that "'Brooklyn Is Africa' is the essential statement highlighting an area within a radius of a square mile which encompasses cultural institutions... An area which embraces all ethnicities."