Yesterday I participated in a wonderful running event organized by @movementblackaugust that highlighted the importance of black lives in a running context, and specifically looked at how black and brown bodies move through public spaces. The event kicked off at the @weeksvilleheritagecenter, a cultural institution in Brooklyn (that I am fortunate enough to live across the street from) created to preserve and share the history of the Bed-Stuy/Crown Heights neighborhood called Weeksville, which happens to be one of the first free black communities established in America during the 19th century. Listen as Zenzele Cooper, Tour Educator, shares info about some of the institutions members of the Weeksville community created to support and uplift its people. I moved to Weeksville specifically because of the history of resistance and social activism in this community, which is surprisingly still be uncovered thanks to the work of the Center. Indeed, it was uplifting to run through the various neighborhoods in Brooklyn, some of which have been identified as former sites along the Underground Railroad--a symbol of freedom for many. I encourage folks, especially those that live in or near Bedstuy and Crown Heights, to visit and support the Center in its efforts to continue to uncover the history of this revolutionary community, and help shape the narrative around how black and brown bodies existed even in the face of subjugation and terrorization against our bodies...✊🏿✊🏽✊🏾 . . . #movementblackaugust #weeksville #lovemyhood #weeksvilleheritagecenter #bedstuy #crownheights #blacklivesmatter #behavingwhileblack #blackbodies #blackhistory #theundergroundrailroad #freedom #blackresistance #blackresilience #blackexcellence #blackbusinesses #blackschools #blackcommunity (at Weeksville Heritage Center)
