BKLYN Community Audio

BKLYN Community Audio

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BKLYN Community Audio episodes

  • Flatbush + Main: Food and Identity, Brooklyn Style

    This episode was originally published on December 20, 2016.

    In Episode 09 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia dig into their most delicious topic yet: food and identity in Brooklyn. They speak to historical gastronomist Sarah Lohman to find out exactly what a historical gastronomist is, and to learn about some ingredients that have shaped the course of American history. In "Into the Archives," they explore a 19th-century recipe book created by two generations of Brooklyn women and think about gender roles, the politics of food preparation, and the preservation of Dutch culture in Flatbush. Finally, they listen to a clip from the oral history of Ericka Basile, a Brooklynite of African, French and Taíno ancestry. Basile reflects on the ways that Creole food informed her childhood, her relationships, and her identity. In their endorsements, Julie and Zaheer share some of the foods that have shaped who they are today. We'd love to hear about how food has shaped your identity. Share your food memories by using the hashtag #flatbushandmain.
    1 hr 26 min
  • Bed-Stuy Tea: Ursallie Smith

    In today's episode, Riann and Krishna sit down and chat with local interior designer and business owner of Roccoco Design Inc., Usallie Smith. Ursallie was listed as one of NY top 20 interior designers by Lux Pad Magazine in 2017, and also voted Best of Houzz from 2013 – 2022. Ursallie also owns and operates Roccoco Design Home and Gifts located in the heart of Bed-Stuy and not too far from the Macon Library. Riann and Krishna chat with Ursallie about her design journey, her years creating in the Caribbean, the role of community that shapes her work, and how she continues to bring her passion for beautiful spaces into new ventures. So pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea, and enjoy this episode of Bed-Stuy Tea!

    26 min
  • Flatbush + Main: Brooklyn's Veterans

    This episode was originally published on November 22, 2016.

    In Episode 08 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia explore the legacy of veterans from Brooklyn and beyond, and consider the ways that historians have analyzed the often fraught history of American veterans. In the first segment, Julie and Zaheer sit down with historian Phil Napoli to discuss the the historical meanings of the American veteran throughout history. Phil also discusses his work interviewing New York City's Vietnam Vets, and the essential role that oral histories can play in the preservation of veterans' experiences. Our hosts head into the archives with BHS Assistant Curator Erin Wuebker to learn the stories embedded in one Civil War-era surgeon's kit. in "Voices of Brooklyn," they listen to and honor the experiences of Second Lieutenant Joan Furey, a Brooklynite who served in Vietnam. Following endorsements, Zaheer and Julie offer their thoughts on the recent presidential election and the importance of historical thinking in this unprecedented political age.

    1 hr 25 min
  • Flatbush + Main: Brooklyn's Women Politicians

    This episode was originally published on October 27, 2016.

    In less than a week, Americans will go to the polls to choose a new president - and for the first time, one of the major party candidates is a woman. In episode 07 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia consider the important legacies left by several of Brooklyn's female politicians, and the intersectional nature of gender and politics in this incredibly diverse borough. They learn about the remarkable career of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm from historian Zinga Fraser, and draw connections between Chisholm's politics and today's political landscape. In their explorations of the papers of NAACP staffer Richetta Randolph, they expand definitions of what constitutes political work. In "Voices of Brooklyn," they listen to influential activist Elsie Richardson describe her interactions with Robert Kennedy during his 1965 visit to the Brooklyn neighborhood of Bedford Stuyvesant. Finally, they welcome BHS Manager of Teacher and Learning Alex Tronolone, who plugs BHS's Election Day Professional Development programming for New York City's K-12 teachers.
    53 min
  • Flatbush + Main: School Segregation in Brooklyn
    This episode was originally published on September 29, 2016. In episode 06 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia explore the complicated relationship between race, power, and policy in Brooklyn's educational system over two centuries. They speak with journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and historian Ansley Erickson about the rezoning of one Brooklyn school, P.S. 307, and the roots of school segregation in New York City. They head into the archives to analyze an 1863 letter written by William J. Wilson, an educational leader in Brooklyn's African American community. In "Voices of Brooklyn," they listen to the experiences of Mary Barksdale, who served as a local school board representative and president of the parent-teachers association in her son's school in the Brooklyn neighborhood of East New York. Finally, they get a glimpse into one of BHS's most innovative after school programs from Shirley Brown-Alleyne, BHS Manager of Teaching and Learning.
    44 min
  • Bed-Stuy Tea: Jenn Small

    Welcome back to Bed-Stuy Tea! In today's episode, Riann and Krishna sit down to chat with local Bed-Stuy resident and entrepreneur, Jennifer Small! Jennifer Small is the Founder and CEO of J Small Services, LLC, a boutique consulting firm based in Brooklyn, NY. Her career spans almost two decades in investment banking, including covering international markets while living in London, and she recently entered the world of tech at an iconic American fashion retailer. Jenn shares personal stories of growing up in Bed-Stuy and her exciting career journey. She shares insight on owning her own business as well as advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. So pour yourself a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy today's episode!

    32 min
  • Flatbush + Main: Whose Crown Heights?

    This episode was originally published on August 24, 2016.

    In episode 05 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia do a deep dive into the history and future of Crown Heights, a neighborhood in central Brooklyn, on the 25th anniversary of the 1991 Crown Heights Riot. Throughout Crown Heights' history, its many diverse residents have debated the boundaries, ownership, and meaning of this ever-evolving neighborhood. Julie and Zaheer consider how the question "Whose Crown Heights?" has shaped the neighborhood's history from the 18th century to the present, they crack open the "Crown Heights" folder from the Vertical File in BHS's Library and Archives, and they listen to residents Rabbi Simon Jacobson and Iyedun Ince reflect on their relationship with and observations about Crown Heights. For complete show notes, go to bklynlibrary.org/podcasts/flatbush-main.

    41 min
  • Flatbush + Main: Hip Hop in Brooklyn

    This episode was originally published on July 27, 2016.

    In episode 04 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia examine the history and evolution of hip hop in Brooklyn. Joined by Wes Jackson, founder and Executive Director of the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival, we consider how Brooklyn shaped the trajectory of this powerful cultural genre - and how hip hop, in turn, shaped Brooklyn and Brooklynites. We chat with media producer, archivist, and educator Martha Diaz about what it means to document and archive such a multilayered and global movement as hip hop. Finally, in the "Voices of Brooklyn" segment, we listen to author, filmmaker, and cultural critic Nelson George describe how hip hop communities operated on the ground in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Fort Greene.

    42 min
  • Flatbush + Main: Queering Brooklyn Spaces

    This episode was originally published on June 21, 2016.

    In episode 03 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, Zaheer and I tackle the history of queer spaces in Brooklyn. We sit down with curator and writer Hugh Ryan, who helps us define "queer" as a historical construct and shares some amazing hidden queer histories that he has uncovered. We also visit Lesbian Herstory Archives in the neighborhood of Park Slope to talk with co-founder Deborah Edel, and listen to the reflections of one Brooklynite who shared his life and experiences in our oral history collections. We usually plan each episode a month or two in advance, and we knew we wanted to do an episode honoring Pride for the month of June. But on Sunday, June 12, the episode took on new and heartbreaking meaning for us when we learned of the mass shooting of 49 people at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando. This tragedy and this unthinkable loss of life makes examination of Brooklyn's complex and layered queer history all the more imperative. Zaheer and I dedicate this podcast to the victims of the Pulse massacre, and those who have lost partners, family members, friends, and loved ones.

    38 min

About BKLYN Community Audio

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BKLYN Mixtape is a podcast from the Shelby White and Leon Levy Information Commons at Brooklyn Public Library. It is a show about everyday creators and makers just like you living and working in…