“Very Black” paper hand fans for attendees outside of Sincerely Tommy, the cafe that housed the block party.
On a block surrounded by Black-owned businesses people gathered to celebrate the Black community as advertised on @buildingblackbedstuy.
Kai Avent-deLeon, Rajini Jacques, Nana Yaa, and Sonia Yolanda formed the organization just this year. These four women have worked towards improving their neighborhood despite the pandemic, police brutality, and other hardships that this year has brought. While none of them responded to questions, their Instagram bio describes their dedication to “protect and preserve the Black community”. So far they’ve already fundraised to support The Watoto Free School, a pre-school that’s challenging educational norms with a Black-centered curriculum. The second fundraiser, is currently underway and will support two community businesses that their followers nominate.
People that attended the block party waited outside Sincerely Tommy to buy Building Black Bed-Stuy merchandise, all proceeds went to their ongoing fundraiser.
Building Black Bedstuy’s block party showcased a variety of vendors, and non-profit organizations that serve the Black community. Most of the representatives were Black, or people of color, but Carbon and Gil were the only two that were white. Both of them are members the Uhurua Solidarity Movement, a white solidarity group. The members focus on finding ways to use their white privilege to benefit Black people, like by using their platform to educate. Before the pandemic, the group hosted raves or parties and all of the money earned was used to provide welfare to members of the Black community, regardless of their status. Carbon emphasized that “It’s not charity work, it’s reparations.”
Carbon and Gil, members of the Uhuru Solidarity Movement. The two answered questions while handing out flyers, pamphlets and papers.
There were a lot items up for sale at the block party. The selection ranged from clothes, to tarot readings, to cookies and other desserts. A vendor named Jasmine, was there selling clothes that she personally hand-dyed. She explained that dying clothes was a creative experience for her, that allowed her to captured and express her experiences as a Black woman. “Clothes are like armor to me” she said, “And it’s powerful to wear your emotions as armor.” Jasmine records her process and sells her clothes on her Instagram, @amp.wata.
Jasmine, standing next to one of her hand-dyed shirts. Her friends Bryan and Christine took pictures in the background of her other work.
Another vendor named K Denai was there, but her main goal wasn’t really to sell her book. “I’m here to give my book the time and promotion it deserves,” she said “I’m here for me”. Her book, Letters I Wrote But Never Sent, is a bunch of notes that she wrote for herself or loved ones that she collected over 5 years. During those 5 years Denai was getting used to life in New York City, which was a lot to get used to since she was from Michigan. She explained that putting the book together was a reflective experience, and it opened doors for her. “I learned a lot about myself, and realized I wasn’t alone.” K Denai described that her corporate job has prevented her from focusing on selling her book, and was grateful for the opportunity to represent herself at the block party.
K Denai with her book and merchandise. She had boxes full of other stuff in her car.A joint-cart for Le Đặc Biệt and Doctor’s Cave Café was outside Sincerely Tommy. Doctor’s Cave Café has been in the neighborhood since 1999.
A floral designer named Karla was also in attendance making floral arrangements for the people there. She runs her own floral design studio, called Olivee Floral. Karla also manages to make weekly deliveries, installations, attend events and have pop up shops. Despite the fact that she’s moved from Toronto to Crown Heights, she was at the block party to give Bed-Stuy’s community its flowers.
Karla arranging flowers for a customer.
One of the vendors that stood out was Five Star Pharmacy, a Black-owned business run by a family of pharmacists. Richard explained that finishing pharmacy school made him realize the importance of a part of his family’s business. In addition to being an uncommon Black-owned business, the members of the Five Star Pharmacy family prides themselves with being what Stephanie described as “patient advocates”, which other pharmacies aren’t. She explained that this means that they are fixated on giving their customers what was best for them regardless of it’s prescriptions or CBD products.
Mother-son duo Stephanie and Richard. The two are members of the family that own and run Five Star Pharmacy.Brielle and Felisa work for Sola Davis, who owns and runs EDAS. She is a vendor from Chile that sells sustainable handmade jewelry.Two friends helping @Thisterracotta set up. They sell vintage glass products.
While the vendors of Building Black Bed-Stuy’s block party were important, the volunteers that kept it running were crucial too. People like Dominic and Franis spent the day making sure that things were running smoothly and safely for the attendees and the hosts. They made sure that everyone was wearing masks and as socially distant as possible. Both found out about the opportunity because they follow the organizers on Instagram. Francis looked forward to be empowered by the other Black women around her and Dominic was enthusiastic about being around Black positivity.
Dominic, one of the volunteers. He was excited about seeing everything the vendors had to offer.
Darren and Imani were two of the many people that went to the block party. They, like many of the other participants, were there to support their friends that were selling products. Imani mentioned that one was selling incense while the other was selling bags. With flourish she showed off her outfit and beamed about spending her last bits of NYC summer at the block party. “I’m here to see Black folks be happy” Imani said as Darren nodded in agreement.
Darren and Imani, who came to support their friends. They were happy to see Black people enjoy themselves despite everything going on.
Building Black Bed-Stuy’s first block party succeeded in gathering a bunch of different people to celebrate Black people and support their businesses. On September 19th, the group took a huge step towards their goals of generating Black wealth and liberating the community.
Mason and Chris are from Bed-Stuy. They heard about the block party through other people in the neighborhood.
Dom & Vinnie’s sits on Saw Mill River Road as a frequent customer through the pandemic, Freddy, walks into the front door.
In March 2020, the Coronavirus 2019 pandemic swept the globe leaving businesses dramatically impacted by the extreme changes in consumer behavior. Small businesses were left to fend for themselves before gaining access to financial relief through the CARES Act. One pizzeria and Italian restaurant in the heart of Yonkers, New York was one of the thousands of small businesses impacted by the wrath of the pandemic.
Joseph, the owner, and Angel, an incredibly reliable pizza man, prepare orders for incoming take-outs, which have become the main form of business during COVID-19.
Dom & Vinnie’s, located on Saw Mill River Road in Yonkers, New York has been my home for the entire course of my life. My grandfather Dominic, along with his brother Vinnie, opened the restaurant after moving to the United States from Naples, Italy. I personally began working in the family business as soon as I was able to walk. Currently, my father Joseph and his cousin Mike manage the restaurant while holding true to the family values passed on from previous generations.
Joseph takes a single plain pizza slice out of the oven accompanied by a mask and gloves.George, Dom & Vinnie’s head chef, wears a protective mask in a hot kitchen as he prepares multiple meals for take-out.
At the beginning of the pandemic, I watched my family’s business preserve through the toughest times. In April, my family was directly hit by the pandemic leaving Dom & Vinnie’s with no choice other than to shut down for many weeks. Our waiters, waitresses, busboys, pizza men, delivery drivers, and chefs were left without work. George, one of our amazingly talented chefs, was left to file for unemployment along with millions of other Americans.
Pictures of my family of every generation fill the walls of the restaurant, highlighting the family values of the business.Joseph, the current owner, is pictured to the left as a young boy along with his uncle, Vinnie, who the restaurant is named after.
According to a survey of more than 5,800 small businesses taken between March 28 and April 4, 2020, small businesses saw a dramatic economic impact of the Coronavirus 2019 pandemic. Mass layoffs and closures had occurred only weeks into the crisis. The survey found that small businesses were financially fragile. The median business with more than $10,000 in monthly expenses was left with only about 2 weeks of cash on hand. With the length of the pandemic unknown, many of these businesses failed to reopen after the initial closure.
Outdoor seating with tables and chairs populates the sidewalk, as Yonkers has permitted outdoor seating options for most businesses.
While not every person that works at Dom & Vinnie’s is a blood relative, everyone is family. Dom & Vinnie’s prioritized everyone’s safety, but it was incredibly difficult knowing that the workforce was struggling on many fronts. Luckily, with the state’s go-ahead, Dom & Vinnie’s was able to reopen with outdoor seating, but normality was not quick to resume.
Social distancing signs line the walls of the restaurant, one hangs on the front window next to a popular booth.A notice detailing COVID-19 guidelines for restaurant owners, workers, and patrons hangs on the Coca-Cola machine below an array of pizza boxes.
Signs detailing COVID-19 guidelines, social distancing rules, and polite requests to wear a mask now line the pizzeria doors and walls. Every single business, both small and large, can be found to have this new pandemic décor throughout physical stores. Customers, all abiding by the rules, wear their masks as they politely ask for a pizza slice to go.
Joseph speaks with a customer who is stopping in for a quick slice before heading back to work. Both speak very loudly as their voices are muffled through their masks.
The lunch-time rush did not feel familiar, as one single group of men sat to have lunch in the back. In the dining room, customers are permitted to remove their masks when seated, as all the tables have been marked for social distancing. On a typical early afternoon in a pre-pandemic world, there would be a line out the door for a table in the dining room. Today, the population inside the pizzeria consists of Uber delivery drivers, our own delivery drivers as well as people quickly stopping in for a pick-up order.
A group of frequent customers sits in the back dining room with their masks hanging off their ears.
As everyone adjusts to the rules of living through a pandemic, Dom & Vinnie’s has held onto the same values as we always have. Muffled conversations through uncomfortable masks and dramatic hand gestures are substitutes for the big hugs we previously gave to frequent customers, who have become family over the years. Small businesses have been struggling the most during the pandemic, and it is incredibly important to support the small businesses in your neighborhood, like Dom & Vinnie’s, through these tough times.
A young girl walks out of the restaurant door with a protective face mask on, abiding by the pandemic-era rules clearly stated on the glass windows.
Opera and Emmons Palace are bustling on a Saturday night, not an empty table in sight. (Photo by Denis Minchuk for JRN3510)
Within five minutes of taking pictures of the scenes on Emmons Avenue, the owner of Emmons Palace approached my partner and I.
“May I ask what exactly you think you’re taking pictures of?”
I answered that I was doing a project for school, but bent the truth a bit to sound friendlier than I was. His litmus test for whether I can be trusted? “Ti govorish po Russki?” Do I speak Russian. I answered in Russian and he responded with, “You know with what has been going on I can’t trust anyone, they fine me $1000 for every stupid mask below the nose, these idiots. Have a good night, son.”
They know to be on high alert because they know they’re breaking the law, but if you’re one of us then you can be trusted, because no member of this community would ever in their right minds expose anyone of their own. Make of that what you will.
Little Odessa is a predominantly Russian-speaking community of Soviet immigrants and refugees in the Brighton and Sheepshead Bay neighborhoods of South Brooklyn. While many of these people came to build a new life and escape what was well known to be an oppressive regime, the political culture of the community has changed over time to resemble that same conservative nature of the place from which they came.
Life goes on as Brighton residents shop in an open bazaar on a crowded street. Most locals here have ignored COVID regulations since March. (Photo by Denis Minchuk for JRN3510)
The development and growth of this community began with the “third-wave” of immigrants, mostly Russian-Jews that settled in Brighton Beach during the 70’s. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the “fourth-wave” of immigrants and refugees of the Soviet regime came to the New York Metropolitan area and gravitated towards Brighton Beach as it was now seen as a hub for Russian immigrants.
There are currently over 1.6 Million Russian-Americans in the Tri-State area, 600,000 of which live in NYC, among which 220,000 are Russian-Jews.
Restaurant Tatiana sits in its original location on the Brighton boardwalk overlooking the ocean. This mafia-owned establishment has been around since the 70s and remains a late-night stomping ground for locals. (Photo by Denis Minchuk for JRN3510)
According to the last census, Brighton beach is comprised of 87% European/Asian residents, hailing from countries like Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, etc. Over time, with the help of social aid, many members of the community found their footing in America.
The community has grown exponentially, with new Russian-owned restaurants and businesses dotted all over Brighton, Coney Island Avenue, Ocean Avenue, and Emmons Avenue. As families worked their way into the middle class, attitudes changed, and so did their opinions on social welfare, taxes, and racial inequality.
Russian people have always been blunt and opinionated, and they do not hold back, even in public. In an overheard conversation while taking pictures, two frustrated locals deliberated in their native tongue on a boardwalk bench. Loosely translated, one sentiment went something like this:
“Deblasio, this idiot, takes our tax money and gives it to these drug addicts and lazy [racial slur] who go and break windows and burn cars. God willing Trump wins and teaches these people a lesson.”
While some locals are vocal, others are much quieter about their beliefs, even if they are not much different from the above comments. The Russian community is overwhelmingly in support of Donald Trump, as they share his viewpoints on immigration, social welfare, and of course Israel.
What had used to be a community of immigrants and refugees trying to make a new life with the help of the government, has become a community of far-right individuals with serious disdain for the tax system and immigrants.
Three water-front buildings overlap from the view of the boardwalk. (Photo by Denis Minchuk for JRN3510)
The Russian community of South Brooklyn has seemingly forgotten the days when they were the ones in need. Since then, many residents have taken advantage of certain loopholes available to them.
Some affluent business owners still live in Section 8 housing and have their senior parents buying groceries with food stamps, all while driving six-figure vehicles and wearing the latest luxury brands. Those, however, are just the things that one can see in public. There have been many stories about illegal activities and abuses of loopholes to come out of Brighton and Sheepshead bay in recent years.
A few of the luxury cars one can see on any given night out on Emmons Avenue. Many residents, whether by legal means or not, have found ways to live comfortably in the American economy. (Photos by Denis Minchuk for JRN3510)
Once one finds success, they can move out to Mill Basin into a massive mansion, or perhaps stay local and move to Manhattan Beach. With hustling being so prevalent, it is evident as to why the politics of the community have gravitated towards someone like Trump and the conservative party.
Two businesses sit empty under the brand new condo on Emmons avenue as COVID leaves its mark. (Photo by Denis Minchuk for JRN3510)
The general attitude of the community has led to it becoming a microcosm of conservative soviet thinking. The government is the obstacle in the way of your success and laws are made to inconvenience you and push forth a particular ideology. This belief has rooted itself in the people and they feel a disdain for authority. They see Trump as a symbol of rebellion from the politicians that came before him.
I spoke with an anonymous source close to me who lives near Brighton and lived most of their life in the Soviet Union to try and understand the change in thinking. When I asked why they are all of a sudden against social aid, their response was, “The people receiving the aid now are lazy and do not try to find work or climb up in any way. They keep finding ways to stay on welfare and continue to collect it and it comes at the cost of our tax money. We worked hard to leave welfare.”
I asked why they thought that people were actively trying to stay on welfare as opposed to not being able to find better jobs, and if they thought that maybe racial injustices may be at play with regards to finding better work and better education.
“The race card is always brought up, we are sick of it. We did not even speak the language when we came here and we came with nothing, you think we were able to find work and get into schools because we are white?”
I responded with yes, and proceed to ask about the members of the Russian community that currently take advantage of certain social aid by lying about their income.
“I don’t agree with that either, but you can’t blame them for trying to avoid this bull***t.”
Regardless of whether members of the community are guilty of taking advantage of certain loopholes or not, they certainly have nothing against others doing it because they sympathize with them on the matter.
Seabreeze Avenue meets Ocean Parkway at the invisible line where Little Odessa begins. (Photo by Denis Minchuk for JRN3510)
This year, that lack of respect for authority and regulations has shown quite clearly with the pandemic. Russian TV stations have been spreading propaganda and downplaying the virus since the beginning, and local residents have eaten it up.
While most Russian businesses have been toeing the line as to what is and is not appropriate under COVID regulations, some have been blatantly breaking the law. Their main defense for doing as they please? The BLM protests. “You see what they’re doing in the streets? And I can’t go out to eat?,” exclaimed an acquaintance.
It is this view that has led to some restaurants secretly feeding customers indoors and other restaurants cramming the outdoor space as much as they can. A close friend of mine attended a birthday dinner in one such establishment that was leading customers in through the kitchen, he described the scene of people smoking indoors as to not tip off the cops across the street at the 61st precinct.
“It was ridiculous, I didn’t even eat. I just sat in my mask and ended up leaving early. It was wild.”
Chateau de Capitaine sits directly across the street from a police precinct, and leads guests in through the kitchen. Allegedly, the owners have paid the precinct to turn a blind eye. (Photo by Denis Minchuk for JRN3510)The 61st Precinct sits directly across from a restaurant that has been feeding customers indoors for months. (Photo by Denis Minchuk for JRN3510)
People in Sheepshead Bay have been itching to go out since quarantine started, so that is exactly what they did. Brighton and Sheepshead Bay has become its own little city with its own rules. Going out on the town on a Saturday night looks almost no different than last year.
Two waitresses happily pose for a photo. (Photo by Denis Minchuk for JRN 3510)
While the tone of this piece may be negative in general and certainly critical of the community, Brighton Beach and Sheepshead Bay are still a beautiful part of NYC culture and have a rich history.
The term “All” cannot apply to any topic, not all members of this community share the same sentiments. Good apples, however, do not make up for bad ones, and the hypocrisy of the community is still a very pressing issue.
An elderly couple goes for a stroll along the boardwalk, possibly reminiscing of the past or discussing the sale on Heirloom tomatoes at the baza. (Photo by Denis Minchuk for JRN3510)Saint-Petersburg Gift Shop rests comfortably knowing this community will never let it die. The yellow awning has been a staple of Brighton for years, a go-to place for any authentic Russian trinkets. (Photo by Denis Minchuk for JRN3510)
The story of Little Odessa is still a happy one, a beautiful one, and an important one. Love is about both showing affection, and delivering criticism for the purpose of betterment.
The community has grown like a flower since the 70s, but there are still imperfections that can be ironed out with time. Luckily, time is something that Little Odessa has plenty of, because it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
