September 23rd 2023.
A committee of fierce Black women, known as 'Building Black Bed-Stuy' is taking a stand against gentrification in the popular Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Founded by Dana Arbib, Nana Yaa Asare-Boadu, Kai Avent-deLeon, and Rajni Jacques, this collective is dedicated to empowering the few remaining Black-owned businesses in the heavily gentrified Bed-Stuy area.
Kai Avent-deLeon, one of the founders, said “The main objective was to find a way to foster our own support and not have to rely on anyone or anything outside of our people to liberate us.” Meeting bi-monthly, the committee focuses on raising money for nominated entrepreneurs who need support to keep their doors open. Rajni Jacques added “We want it to help be a driver of Black financial growth and prosperity in our local community and beyond.”
The group looks for values such as service, innovation, and a desire to pour back into the neighborhood, which has lost 35 percent of it Black residents to an influx of new developments, culture vultures, and skyrocketing living costs. Since its first fundraising term in 2020, 'Building Black Bed-Stuy' has raised an impressive $180,000.
Every Sunday between 12 pm and 5 pm, the community comes out in droves to take in local DJs, dance, and express their joy at a weekly marketplace hosted by the committee for Black vendors and artisans to sell products. The growing gathering amassed 500 attendees in its first offering. Shani Coleman, one of the members said “The market is an opportunity for small businesses to have a space to come and share their products, not just with the community, but with each other.” The last marketplace of the year will take place on October 1.
Currently on their fourth round of funding, 'Building Black Bed-Stuy' is raising $30,000 to support Alfreda’s Cinema, Order of the Tents, and Hattie Carthan Community Garden via their GoFundMe. This initiative is a testament to the power of collective action and a reminder of the importance of supporting Black-owned businesses in the fight against gentrification.
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