BKLYN Community Audio: Recent Episodes
Brooklyn Public Library
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 Brooklyn, New York. Listen to interviews, music, and audio shorts created in the Info Commons by staff and patrons. Hear how Brooklynites create and what inspires them as artists, print-makers, musicians, podcasters, story tellers, poets, writers, zine designers, coders and more. We're asking, what will you make today?
On today's episode, Riann and Krishna sit down with Evolyn Brooks and Riche Holmes Grant, two independent filmmakers to talk about their film, Good Home Training! Evolyn is an award-winning TV Showrunner, Executive Producer, Director, Experiential Events Producer, and Independent Filmmaker. She has been nominated for an Emmy award and is the recipient of an NAACP Image Award and two Namic Vision Awards. Riche is an award-winning TV host, producer/director, writer, and multi-venture entrepreneur whose work spans film, television, digital, and print media. She is the co-founder and creative director of Good Word Media Group.
Riann and Krishna were excited to sit down with Evolyn and Riche and get insight into their creative process and the making of their film. We hope to see you at the screening of Good Home Training that will take place on Saturday, March 7th, 2026 at 1PM at the Macon branch where Riche and Evolyn will join us! You can learn more about the library's film screening and RSVP for the event by clicking here. You can also learn more about Good Home Training by visiting the film's website: https://goodhometraining.com/
On today's episode, Riann and Krishna are joined by Taeesha Muhammad, the Macon branch's very own staff member who is the associate and curator for the African American Heritage Center. Taeesha is also a local artist based in Brooklyn! Taeesha shares her personal story of becoming an artist, her favorite memories of 2025 at the library, and advice for aspiring artists. So pour yourself a cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate and enjoy Bed-Stuy Tea's last episode of 2025!
This episode was originally published in July, 2020.
In Episode 36 of Flatbush + Main, Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia say farewell to Brooklyn Historical Society by revisiting their favorite segments from the podcast's history.
This episode was originally published on June 18, 2019.
In Episode 35 of Flatbush + Main, we celebrate the 200th birthday of Brooklyn's bard, Walt Whitman. Whitman was a journalist, a poet, a lover, a wanderer, and a Brooklynite. We consider his experiences walking Brooklyn's streets and the inspiration he drew from the places and people he encountered.
This episode was originally published on May 28, 2019.
In Episode 34 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia discuss Brooklyn's long farming history, and the complex interplay of power, land, and labor in Kings County.
This episode was originally published on April 5, 2019.
In Episode 33 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia explore Coney Island's queer history. Guest Hugh Ryan joins Julie and Zaheer this episode. Hugh is the author of the new book, When Brooklyn Was Queer, and the co-curator, with Avram Finkelstein, of BHS's newest exhibition, On the (Queer) Waterfront.
This episode was originally published on February 15, 2019.
In Episode 32 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia examine the history of Muslims in Brooklyn, drawing on BHS's groundbreaking public and oral history project that launched in 2017.
This episode was originally published on January 15, 2019.
In Episode 31 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia discuss the infamous Blackout of 1977, the economic and social context that led up to the event, its impact on many Brooklyn neighborhoods, and its enduring legacy.
This episode was originally published on October 31, 2018.
In Episode 30 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia discuss Brooklyn Historical Society's Puerto Rican Oral History Project (1973-1975), the institution's first oral history collection, which resulted in over 80 interviews with narrators born as early as the 1880s. They situate this landmark undertaking in the social and intellectual developments of the 1960s and 1970s, from the Civil Rights Movement to the rise of Ethnic Studies programs.
This episode was originally published on September 28, 2018.
In Episode 29 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, host Zaheer Ali and guest-host Erin Wuebker, fellow BHS historian, discuss the impact of cholera on Brooklyn, which led to the illness and death of thousands of residents in the 19th century. Zaheer and Erin consider how epidemics of cholera were both symptoms of the city's tremendous growth and change in this era, and catalysts for Brooklyn to develop basic infrastructure we associate with a modern city.
This episode was originally published on August 30, 2018.
In Episode 28 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia discuss the impact on Brooklyn of the 1863 New York City draft riots, the largest domestic uprising in American history after the Civil War itself, resulting in the death of hundreds of Black New Yorkers. Zaheer and Julie consider the complex--and sometimes violent--racial dynamics that made Brooklyn a place of both refuge and danger for its Black residents during this perilous moment.
This episode was originally published on July 31, 2018.
In Episode 27 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia are joined by guest Joshua B. Freeman, author of Behemoth: A History of the Factory and the Making of the Modern World. They consider the impact of factories on Brooklyn's social and economic history, and discuss the experiences of factory workers that worked and lived in Brooklyn.
This episode was originally published on June 13, 2018.
In Episode 26 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia discuss the tragic 1978 killing of Crown Heights resident Arthur Miller Jr. by police, and consider his important legacy as a community leader, activist, and businessman.
This episode was originally published on May 15, 2018.
In Episode 25 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia, joined by fellow BHS historian Erin Wuebker, explore the fascinating history of gender and medicine in Brooklyn and learn about some of Brooklyn's pioneering female physicians.
This episode was originally published on April 11, 2018.
In Episode 24 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia discuss a Revolutionary War tragedy: the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans inside prison ships during the British wartime occupation of New York from 1776 to 1783.
This episode was originally published on March 16, 2018.
In Episode 23 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia revisit Brooklyn Historical Society DUMBO to celebrate the opening of its new longterm exhibition, Waterfront.
This episode was originally published on February 14, 2018.
In Episode 22 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia examine the legacy of black-owned businesses in Brooklyn.
This episode was originally published on January 4, 2018.
In Episode 21 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia dig into what we do at Brooklyn Historical Society: engaging our many visitors and constituents in the process of doing history.
This episode was originally published on December 5, 2017.
In Episode 20 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia use one seemingly inconsequential manuscript collection to explore themes of memory and history-making over many generations. In 1915, Brooklynite Francis Morrell wrote a small tract called "Recollections of Old Williamsburgh." This self-published work of genealogy reminds us that historical writing tells us just as much about the time that it was written as about the time period it purports to study.
This episode was originally published on November 3, 2017.
In Episode 19 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia examine an important but long-forgotten tragedy in Brooklyn's past: the Brooklyn Theatre Fire of 1876, and discuss the Gilded Age, municipal reform, class relations, the culture of leisure, and the politics of memory in the 19th century - and today.
This episode was originally published on October 3, 2017.
In Episode 18 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia consider what it means to remember and document Hurricane Sandy five years after the storm devastated many parts of Brooklyn.
This episode was originally published on August 30, 2017.
In Episode 17 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia examine the meanings and global roots of a time-honored tradition in Brooklyn, the West Indian Carnival.
This episode was originally published on August 2, 2017.
In Episode 16 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia examine the many identities of the Brooklyn neighborhood of Fort Greene.
This episode was originally published on July 3, 2017.
In Episode 15 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia dive into the history of Empire Stores, the historic 19th-century waterfront warehouse that is now the home of BHS's new satellite museum, BHS DUMBO.
This episode was originally published on May 19, 2017. In Episode 14 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia reflect on Malcolm X's enduring influence on the borough of Brooklyn.
This episode was originally published on April 27, 2017.
In Episode 13 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia celebrate the podcast's first birthday by looking back on the year's most memorable segments and guests.
This episode was originally published on March 29, 2017.
In Episode 12 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia examine the work of a group of remarkable female photographers who have taken Brooklyn as their subject.
This episode was originally published on February 24, 2017.
In Episode 11 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia explore the last decade of the life of iconic Civil Rights leader W.E.B. Du Bois, when he called Brooklyn home.
This episode was originally published on February 7, 2017.
This month, Flatbush + Main listeners get a bonus segment of "Voices of Brooklyn!" On January 21, 2017, hundreds of thousands of people, including countless Brooklynites, took part in the Women's March on NYC. Julie spoke to several participants about why they marched, what activism means to them, and how their beliefs have evolved since the 2016 election. We're honored to share their thoughtful reflections.
This episode was originally published on January 24, 2017.
Episode 10 of Flatbush + Main is a special one - it was recorded live on January 11, 2017 in BHS's beautiful Othmer Library.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
This episode was originally published on May 24, 2016.
In the past several years, Brooklyn's waterfront has transformed into a high-value, celebrated space lined with bucolic parks and new developments. In Episode 02 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia travel back in time to a different waterfront: a 19th- and 20th-century site of production, storage, and back-breaking labor for millions of Brooklynites who lived and toiled along its industrial shores. Through stories of people, goods, and work, Julie and Zaheer discuss how Brooklyn's waterfront was a crucible of American capitalism and labor. Julie and Zaheer vividly describe the rise of the commercial waterfront in the early 19th century, back when Brooklyn was dubbed "the Walled City" because of its miles of fortress-like brick warehouses. They sit down with BHS Assistant Public Historian Katy Lasdow to learn how Katy pieced together the story of one dockworker who lived and died at Brooklyn's Empire Stores warehouse. Zaheer and Brett Dion, BHS Oral History Archivist, discuss a clip from BHS's Puerto Rican Oral History Project. Finally, listeners hear from BHS Director of Education Emily Potter-Ndiaye and Teen Council Member Sam Pepere on the amazing work that teens have been doing at BHS this Spring.
This episode was originally published on April 24, 2016.
Last Friday, April 22, was Earth Day, recognized since 1970 as a day to agitate for environmental consciousness and protection. In honor of that, Episode 01 of Brooklyn Historical Society's podcast Flatbush + Main tackles one of the most pressing topics shaping Brooklyn's past and future: waste. With the help of guests historian Elizabeth Pillsbury and artist Barry Rosenthal, co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia dive into the trash, sewage, and general yuckiness that is produced by a densely-populated urban center like Brooklyn. Julie and Zaheer learn how Brooklyn's sewer system prompted the demise of the oyster industry in Brooklyn, and discuss trash as a symbol of inequity for 1960s Civil Rights activists. Zaheer shares clips from BHS's Pfizer Brooklyn Oral History collection. Finally, Julie checks in with photographer Barry Rosenthal to learn more about his process creating art out of found trash.
This episode originally published on April 24, 2016.
Brooklyn Historical Society is excited to launch Flatbush + Main, a monthly podcast dedicated to Brooklyn's many-layered history and its dynamic present. Each week you'll hear co-hosts Zaheer Ali and Julie Golia dig into some of the most compelling stories that we come across everyday in our work as historians at BHS.
To end the tour, we look at some of the ways that residents have advocated for changes in their neighborhood.
This segment is about Commodore Barry Park, past and present. Ms. Denise Evans shares memories about the establishment of the public pool located in the park. She also talks about Old Timers Day, a day to honor elders in the neighborhood, held in the park annually.
In this segment, public historian Prithi Kanakamedala, professor of history at Bronx Community College and the CUNY Graduate Center, talks about the roots of mutual aid organizing in Fort Greene, and in Brooklyn more broadly, in the 19th Century.
This segment is about Hall Street Shelter Volunteers, a mutual aid group established to distribute food, clothing, supplies to asylum seekers temporarily housed in the shelter on Hall Street, which has closed since the time of the interview. Volunteers Delmy Lendof, Tamar Ettun, and Lizzie Presser talk about building community through this work.
In this segment, listeners hear about One Love Community Fridge, an organization established during the peak of the pandemic to feed community members. Asmeret Berhe-Lumax and Kristina Garrity speak about the community fridge formerly located on Myrtle Avenue.
This segment includes interviews with Janis Russell and Edward Moran, who each independently moved to Fort Greene in the 1980s, and are members of the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church (LAPC) in the neighborhood.
In this segment, listeners hear from Ms. Denise Evans, who speaks about the Ingersoll Houses Community Center where she teaches art classes. Ms. Denise reflects on the important role the community center plays in the neighborhood and the positive impact of art therapy.
An introduction to the Places We Gather audio tour and to the Walt Whitman Library. This stop explores the role that the library plays in the community from the point of view of librarians and library patrons.
"Finding Trace/s" is a companion podcast to the Center for Brooklyn History’s exhibition Trace/s: Family History Research and the Legacy of Slavery in Brooklyn. Brooklyn-based podcast producer Ula Kulpa takes listeners behind the scenes of the making of the exhibition, using oral history excerpts, interviews with the exhibition’s curators, and deep dives into the primary sources that reveal the story of slavery’s impact on the borough of Brooklyn. Whether you can’t make it in person to the Center for Brooklyn History, want to prepare beforehand, or want to keep learning after your visit, consider “Finding Trace/s” your immersive guide to the exhibition, from wherever you are!
“Finding Trace/s” is made possible through an internship partnership with NYU’s History Department and their Archives and Public History Program. Special thanks to Program Director Ellen Noonan, and the podcast team at the Brooklyn Public Library for their support.
"Finding Trace/s" is a companion podcast to the Center for Brooklyn History’s exhibition Trace/s: Family History Research and the Legacy of Slavery in Brooklyn. Brooklyn-based podcast producer Ula Kulpa takes listeners behind the scenes of the making of the exhibition, using oral history excerpts, interviews with the exhibition’s curators, and deep dives into the primary sources that reveal the story of slavery’s impact on the borough of Brooklyn. Whether you can’t make it in person to the Center for Brooklyn History, want to prepare beforehand, or want to keep learning after your visit, consider “Finding Trace/s” your immersive guide to the exhibition, from wherever you are!
“Finding Trace/s” is made possible through an internship partnership with NYU’s History Department and their Archives and Public History Program. Special thanks to Program Director Ellen Noonan, and the podcast team at the Brooklyn Public Library for their support.
Welcome back to a new year of Bed-Stuy Tea!
In today's episode, Krishna and Riann sit down and talk to Chef Shakoor Watson, owner and creator of The Sweet Tooth Bakery & Catering. Sweet Tooth Bakery & Catering is located on 376 Marcus Garvey Blvd. and has been a Bedford-Stuyvesant community staple since 1999. We talk to Chef Shakoor about his journey into creating his business, his advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and more. Please note that this episode talks about topics that some listeners may find sensitive including drug use and family death.
Sit back and enjoy our first episode of 2025!
Krishna and Riann wrap up the 2024 year with local cookbook author Lesley Enston!
Lesley Enston is the author of Belly Full, Exploring Caribbean Cuisine Through 11 Fundamental Ingredients and Over 100 Recipes. Enjoy this seasonal episode as they discuss what's on the menu for the holidays, Lesley's journey and inspiration that led to writing a cookbook, her favorite spices, and more! Stick around for the end of the episode to hear from the Macon staff on what their grateful for as the year winds to an end.
This episode was recorded in November 2024.
On this episode of Bed-Stuy Tea's A La Carte series, focusing on chefs and food lovers in the neighborhood, Krishna, Peter and Riann chop it up with Jatee Kearsley, owner and operator of Je T'aime Patisserie, a local bakery serving French-inspired goods just around the corner from Macon Library. Jatee talks about putting all of herself into her business, finding inspiration and room to experiment in classic recipes, and the joy of bringing delicious croissants, cakes, and more to the community. Join us for a scrumptious sit-down and enjoy! Please Note: This episode was recorded in April of 2024.
On today’s episode of Bed-Stuy Tea, Krishna, Peter and Riann sit down with artist and Bed-Stuy resident, Jennella Young. Jennella is a 2024 fellow for the Laundromat Project and does art pop ups around the neighborhood. We spoke to Jennella about her creative process, how she came to incorporate book binding into her art practice and her interest in drawing portraits and exploring untold stories. You can check out the accompanying booklist here!
Paerdegat Speaks is a show dedicated to amplifying the voices of our incredible library patrons and celebrating the diverse and vibrant community that calls Paerdegat Library its home. Each episode will feature an interview with someone who has navigated life's challenges and triumphs with the support and resources provided by Brooklyn Public Library. From the ambitious student who found the perfect study corner to the aspiring writer who discovered a wealth of literary treasures, our guests will share their experiences and express gratitude for the vital role this library has played in their lives. The guests on this episode are members of CABS Health Network, a frequent partner of the Library and community organization.
Krishna, Riann, and Peter continue their A La Carte Series with food and beverage lovers from around the neighborhood as Bed-Stuy Tea sits down with cookbook author Nicole A. Taylor!
Splitting her time between Athens, Georgia and Brooklyn, Nicole has written several cookbooks, most recently Watermelon & Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations; she discusses finding and preserving her Southern voice, the pleasures of restaurant research, and her favorite local spots to eat and drink.
Check out Nicole's cookbooks and some of her favorite reads here: https://discover.bklynlibrary.org/?booklist=701497
Continuing their A La Carte Series featuring food and beverage lovers from around the neighborhood, Bed-Stuy Tea sits down to chat with Jamilla Wright, co-owner of Brooklyn Tea!
Brooklyn Tea is located in Bedford-Stuyvesant and has a location in Atlanta, Georgia. Pour yourself a cup of tea as we dive into Jamilla’s passion for tea, insight into her tea-making process, her influences, and her favorite books to curl up to with a hot cup of tea.
Be sure to check out the accompanying booklist to see all the books mentioned in today’s episode: https://discover.bklynlibrary.org/?booklist=700687
Paerdegat Speaks is a show dedicated to amplifying the voices of our incredible library patrons and celebrating the diverse and vibrant community that calls Paerdegat Library its home. Each episode will feature an interview with someone who has navigated life's challenges and triumphs with the support and resources provided by Brooklyn Public Library. From the ambitious student who found the perfect study corner to the aspiring writer who discovered a wealth of literary treasures, our guests will share their experiences and express gratitude for the vital role this library has played in their lives.
The guest on this episode is Heidi Washington, a frequent library patron and active member of the community.
Join hosts Krishna and Riann as they sit down with Amadeus Broger, owner and operator of Bed-Stuy’s own farm-to-table French dining spot, L’Antagoniste! We were thrilled continue our A La Carte series celebrating the flavors and personalities of our neighborhood’s chefs and eaters, and dish with Amadeus all about the business of French food in Bed-Stuy, his memories and plans for the food business, and his dream dinner date. Don’t miss this look into Amadeus’s decades of history in the neighborhood and the ins and outs of a food lover’s life in Brooklyn.
Join Bed-Stuy Tea for À La Carte, a series celebrating the flavors and personalities of our neighborhood’s chefs and eaters, as we sit down with Edwin Hughes, owner-operator of local fixture Wadadli Jerk! We dove into the personal and cultural background to Edwin’s sumptuous Caribbean flavors and the communal nature of cooking. Look for him on Putnam and Tompkins Avenues, and keep an eye on the Community Audio Feed for more interviews with Bed-Stuy chefs, restauranteurs, and more!
Bridging the Gap: Intergenerational Debate at BPL is a 3-cycle pilot debate series that pairs teens with older adults. Using the Benson model of debate created by Dr. Thomas Benson, participants work in intergenerational teams to craft persuasive arguments and develop public speaking and research skills as they get to know one another across the generational divide. These episodes highlight the scope of the program as well as the debate experiences and backgrounds of the participants. Teens interviewed the older adults in lively discussions about generational gaps, colonialism, mental health, working from home vs. the office, and even The Beatles!
Bridging the Gap: Intergenerational Debate at BPL is made possible through the generosity of The Eisner Foundation. Episodes were produced by Emily Boghossian at BRIC and the theme music is "Gentle Marimbas," courtesy of Podington Bear and the Free Music Archive.
Please take our very short survey after you listen to let us know what you think!
Bridging the Gap: Intergenerational Debate at BPL is a 3-cycle pilot debate series that pairs teens with older adults. Using the Benson model of debate created by Dr. Thomas Benson, participants work in intergenerational teams to craft persuasive arguments and develop public speaking and research skills as they get to know one another across the generational divide. These episodes highlight the scope of the program as well as the debate experiences and backgrounds of the participants. Teens interviewed the older adults in lively discussions about generational gaps, colonialism, mental health, working from home vs. the office, and even The Beatles!
Bridging the Gap: Intergenerational Debate at BPL is made possible through the generosity of The Eisner Foundation. Episodes were produced by Emily Boghossian at BRIC and the theme music is "Gentle Marimbas," courtesy of Podington Bear and the Free Music Archive.
Please take our very short survey after you listen to let us know what you think!
Bridging the Gap: Intergenerational Debate at BPL is a 3-cycle pilot debate series that pairs teens with older adults. Using the Benson model of debate created by Dr. Thomas Benson, participants work in intergenerational teams to craft persuasive arguments and develop public speaking and research skills as they get to know one another across the generational divide. These episodes highlight the scope of the program as well as the debate experiences and backgrounds of the participants. Teens interviewed the older adults in lively discussions about generational gaps, colonialism, mental health, working from home vs. the office, and even The Beatles!
Bridging the Gap: Intergenerational Debate at BPL is made possible through the generosity of The Eisner Foundation. Episodes were produced by Emily Boghossian at BRIC and the theme music is "Gentle Marimbas," courtesy of Podington Bear and the Free Music Archive.
Please take our very short survey after you listen to let us know what you think!
Bed-Stuy Tea hosts Krishna and Riann sit down with Robert Jones, Jr., author of the best-selling and award-winning debut novel, The Prophets. They also discussed some of their favorite reads from 2023, from comics and crypto to romance and horror. Find all the books mentioned in this episode on our accompanying booklist: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/search?booklist=bedstuy-tea-robertjonesjr
Join Peter and Krishna as they sit down with TV writer and author Lauren Wilkinson! Lauren Wilkinson’s debut novel American Spy was a Washington Post best-seller, an NAACP Image Award nominee, an Anthony award nominee, and an Edgar Award nominee. She has written for TV shows including Citidel, Class of ’09 and Star Trek: Discovery. In this episode, they chat about her novel, her writing process, the writer's strike, the books she's currently reading, and of course her favorite cozy beverage! Find all the books mentioned in this episode on our accompanying booklist.
Bridging the Gap: Intergenerational Debate at BPL is a 3-cycle pilot debate series that pairs teens with older adults. Using the Benson model of debate created by Dr. Thomas Benson, participants work in intergenerational teams to craft persuasive arguments and develop public speaking and research skills as they get to know one another across the generational divide. These episodes highlight the scope of the program as well as the debate experiences and backgrounds of the participants. Teens interviewed the older adults in lively discussions about generational gaps, colonialism, mental health, working from home vs. the office, and even The Beatles!
Bridging the Gap: Intergenerational Debate at BPL is made possible through the generosity of The Eisner Foundation. Episodes were produced by Emily Boghossian at BRIC and the theme music is "Gentle Marimbas," courtesy of Podington Bear and the Free Music Archive.
Please take our very short survey after you listen to let us know what you think!
Bridging the Gap: Intergenerational Debate at BPL is a 3-cycle pilot debate series that pairs teens with older adults. Using the Benson model of debate created by Dr. Thomas Benson, participants work in intergenerational teams to craft persuasive arguments and develop public speaking and research skills as they get to know one another across the generational divide. These episodes highlight the scope of the program as well as the debate experiences and backgrounds of the participants. Teens interviewed the older adults in lively discussions about generational gaps, colonialism, mental health, working from home vs. the office, and even The Beatles!
Bridging the Gap: Intergenerational Debate at BPL is made possible through the generosity of The Eisner Foundation. Episodes were produced by Emily Boghossian at BRIC and the theme music is "Gentle Marimbas," courtesy of Podington Bear and the Free Music Archive.
Please take our very short survey after you listen to let us know what you think!
Bridging the Gap: Intergenerational Debate at BPL is a 3-cycle pilot debate series that pairs teens with older adults. Using the Benson model of debate created by Dr. Thomas Benson, participants work in intergenerational teams to craft persuasive arguments and develop public speaking and research skills as they get to know one another across the generational divide. These episodes highlight the scope of the program as well as the debate experiences and backgrounds of the participants. Teens interviewed the older adults in lively discussions about generational gaps, colonialism, mental health, working from home vs. the office, and even The Beatles!
Bridging the Gap: Intergenerational Debate at BPL is made possible through the generosity of The Eisner Foundation. Episodes were produced by Emily Boghossian at BRIC and the theme music is "Gentle Marimbas," courtesy of Podington Bear and the Free Music Archive.
Please take our very short survey after you listen to let us know what you think!
Join your hosts Riann and Krishna as they sit down with artist and illustrator Jnéydé Williams, also known as Nehemiah, for a discussion of her influences and interests. Jnéydé is the artist behind BPL's Black American Library Card, unveiled in 2021 at Macon Library's African American Heritage Center and available to pick up and use at select library branches.
Meet Wilbur Pack, fashion design veteran and founder of SK Wilbur, whose B. Brave line of socially conscious bags and accessories puts Black history on display. We sat down with Wilbur and Monty Person, one of B. Brave’s History Agents as well as an actor, writer, dancer, honor roll student and school leader, to discuss what it means to wear your history and your cause on your sleeve (or your backpack).
Meet Aaron Foley, senior digital editor for the PBS NewsHour and author of the novel Boys Come First, as well as two works of nonfiction, How To Live in Detroit Without Being a Jackass and The Detroit Neighborhood Guidebook. Bed-Stuy Tea sat down with Aaron to discuss his hometown of Detroit, his move to Brooklyn, his influences and practices as a writer, the history and significance of Motown Records, and more. You can find all the books mentioned during this episode here: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/search?booklist=641984
Meet Ashley Woodfolk, Young Adult author of Nothing Burns as Bright as You and the Flyy Girl series. We discuss the relentless spirit of writers, Ashley's favorite books, and what historical figures we'd enjoy our tea with. An episode sure to inspire fellow writers and readers! You can access all the books mentioned during this episode here: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/search?booklist=630812
Welcome to the self-guided audio tour of BPL's Central Library. This section of the tour includes the area outside Central Library, from the flagpole on Eastern Parkway to the Plaza and the front steps. Feel free to walk around as you listen.
For a transcript of this tour and related pictures, visit: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/podcasts/central-tour/third-floor
Welcome to the self-guided audio tour of BPL's Central Library. This part of the tour includes the balcony, the Business & Career Center, Society, Sciences & Technology, and the History, Biography & Religion divisions, which are all located on the Second Floor. Feel free to walk around as you listen.
For a transcript of this tour and related pictures, visit: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/podcasts/central-tour/second-floor
Welcome to the self-guided audio tour of BPL's Central Library. This section includes the Youth Wing, which is located on the Eastern Parkway side of the library on the first floor. Feel free to walk around as you listen.
For a transcript of this tour and related pictures, visit: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/podcasts/central-tour/eastern-parkway
Welcome to the self-guided audio tour of BPL's Central Library. This section of the tour includes a portion of Central Library that runs along Flatbush Avenue. Feel free to walk around as you listen.
For a transcript of this tour and related pictures, visit: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/podcasts/central-tour/flatbush
Welcome to the self-guided audio tour of BPL's Central Library. This section of the tour includes the Grand Lobby of the Central Library. Feel free to walk around as you listen.
For a transcript of this tour and related pictures, visit: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/podcasts/central-tour/lobby
Welcome to the self-guided audio tour of BPL's Central Library. This section of the tour includes the area outside Central Library, from the flagpole on Eastern Parkway to the Plaza and the front steps. Feel free to walk around as you listen.
For a transcript of this tour and related pictures, visit: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/podcasts/central-tour/plaza
Hear Me Out was an audio storytelling workshop series at BPL, co-produced by Virginia Marshall, UnionDocs, and lead instructor Stephanie Foo.
Jasmyne Roberts's grandmother came to Brooklyn from Vietnam in 1979, with her husband and nine children. In order to keep her sons out of gang activity in Borough Park, she opened a restaurant and solicited the help of her children, keeping them out of trouble and supporting her family at the same time.
Hear Me Out was an audio storytelling workshop series at BPL, co-produced by Virginia Marshall, UnionDocs, and lead instructor Stephanie Foo.
There's more to Brooklyn than hipsters, craft beers and fixie bikes. Honeychild Coleman spoke with a few Brooklyn residents about why they love Kings County and life here During COVID-19.
Kentucky native Honeychild Coleman is a composer/musician, activist, and resident DJ in New York City at Artists & Fleas and The Beauty Bar, and has lived in Brooklyn for over 25 years. Coleman's political punk band is The 1865.
Hear Me Out was an audio storytelling workshop series at BPL, co-produced by Virginia Marshall, UnionDocs, and lead instructor Stephanie Foo.
William ‘Billy’ Braithwaite was well known in Guyana and the diaspora for his work in the airline industry. When he migrated with his family to the USA in 1981 Mr. Braithwaite became a businessman and was reveled for his philanthropy and community involvement. This is not a story about his life, but the consequences of his death. His namesake, Billie Braithwaite Jones, lost her father recently to COVID-19. Unlike others who accept the death of their loved ones as a tragic effect of the pandemic, Billie believes her father was murdered by the US government.
Hear Me Out was an audio storytelling workshop series at BPL, co-produced by Virginia Marshall, UnionDocs, and lead instructor Stephanie Foo.
During her anxiety-ridden pandemic pregnancy and birth, Elisabeth Donnelly, journalist and writer, made a radio piece about her pregnancy.
Hear Me Out was an audio storytelling workshop series at BPL, co-produced by Virginia Marshall, UnionDocs, and lead instructor Stephanie Foo.
What is shelter when it's no longer temporary? Omar Etman tells the stories of people who spent years in New York City homeless shelters that were designed for temporary occupancy.
Hear Me Out was an audio storytelling workshop series at BPL, co-produced by Virginia Marshall, UnionDocs, and lead instructor Stephanie Foo.
Ginger’s Bar in Brooklyn is one of only fifteen lesbian bars left in the United States. After it closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Taylor Cook, CUNY graduate student in critical disability studies, talked to the owner of Ginger's Bar, Sheila Frayne.
Hear Me Out was an audio storytelling workshop series at BPL, co-produced by Virginia Marshall, UnionDocs, and lead instructor Stephanie Foo.
Glynn Pogue is a writer and educator from Bed Stuy, Brooklyn. BedStuyBrat was her AOL Instant Messenger name back in the T-Mobile Sidekick days, and the moniker still applies, as much of Glynn’s works centers around her community of brown people and brownstones. "Bed Stuy Kids" introduces listeners to her community while meditating on class, belonging and authenticity.
Hear Me Out was an audio storytelling workshop series at BPL, co-produced by Virginia Marshall, UnionDocs, and lead instructor Stephanie Foo.
Yejin is an equity-informed career & leadership coach, and a racial justice consultant. For her story, she interviewed Frances, a Black Puerto-Rican farmworker in Brooklyn who began her life thinking she'd become a music journalist, but then had a winding journey that led her to land work.
Hear Me Out was an audio storytelling workshop series at BPL, co-produced by Virginia Marshall, UnionDocs, and lead instructor Stephanie Foo.
Shivram Viswanathan studies economics, political science and spiritual music from different cultures. He is currently in South Korea on a fellowship, but is usually a resident of Harlem. His story is about musicians in America that perform South Indian classical music, called Carnatic music, and how they navigate their different identities through this art.
Hear Me Out was an audio storytelling workshop series at BPL, co-produced by Virginia Marshall, UnionDocs, and lead instructor Stephanie Foo.
Mingy Dworcan is a Chassidic Jew living in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. She grew up in South Africa where she developed a love and appreciation of all ranges of people and cultures. "Universal Love: How a Rebbe in Brooklyn Influenced a Chassid in Africa" is a small peak into a world she is passionate about: navigating Chassidic life in a modern society.
Hear Me Out was an audio storytelling workshop series at BPL, co-produced by Virginia Marshall, UnionDocs, and lead instructor Stephanie Foo.
Raul Rothblatt is a Brooklyn activist who became passionate about Downtown Brooklyn’s unique history in 2004 when he joined Joy Monroe and family in the fight to save 227 Abolitionist Place, a likely spot on the Underground Railroad. He lives in Prospect Heights with his wife and two children and he is on the staff of Council Member Robert Cornegy.
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 Brooklyn, New York. We're asking, what will you make today?
In this episode, Matthew Irizarry interviews the band, "All My Friends Are Stars." Musicians Americk Lewis, Nicholas Sosin, Naiika Sings and Tony Mazz tell BKLYN Mixtape what it was like to record their first album at the library.
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 Brooklyn, New York. We're asking, what will you make today?
In this episode, Matthew Irizarry interviews Brooklyn-based photographer Lolita Lens (https://www.lolitalens.com/) about her work. Librarian Melissa Morrone shares an excerpt from Susan Sontag's "On Photography."
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 Brooklyn, New York. We're asking, what will you make today?
For a special edition of BKLYN Mixtape, we gathered aspiring and established writers at Macon Library in Bed-Stuy to share their advice and encouragement about how to keep writing and how to get published. Featured writers include: children’s book author Rita Meade, Dr. Dora Gray, author of a book for middle-grade readers, and novelist Brian Platzer.
BKLYN Outpost Redux is an audio series developed to offer adult and young adult residents in Brooklyn family shelters the interest of expanding their digital knowledge through storytelling.
Sonya talks about building a relationship with yourself to improve your life.
BKLYN Outpost Redux is an audio series developed to offer adult and young adult residents in Brooklyn family shelters the interest of expanding their digital knowledge through storytelling.
Joanne talks her life as a mother, and her hope to see the world.
BKLYN Outpost Redux is an audio series developed to offer adult and young adult residents in Brooklyn family shelters the interest of expanding their digital knowledge through storytelling.
Tamara shares a song and talks about things that make her happy.
BKLYN Outpost Redux is an audio series developed to offer adult and young adult residents in Brooklyn family shelters the interest of expanding their digital knowledge through storytelling.
Lorena talks about her experiences with Santeria, and her perspective on it.
BKLYN Outpost Redux is an audio series developed to offer adult and young adult residents in Brooklyn family shelters the interest of expanding their digital knowledge through storytelling.
Alexis's story follows her experience living with lupus.
BKLYN Outpost Redux is an audio series developed to offer adult and young adult residents in Brooklyn family shelters the interest of expanding their digital knowledge through storytelling.
Tanika talks about the impact that poetry has had on her life and reads a poem of her own.
BKLYN Outpost Redux is an audio series developed to offer adult and young adult residents in Brooklyn family shelters the interest of expanding their digital knowledge through storytelling. Shanette's story follows her experience as a POC parent of a child with special needs.
BKLYN Outpost Redux is an audio series developed to offer adult and young adult residents in Brooklyn family shelters the interest of expanding their digital knowledge through storytelling. Shanette's story follows her experience as a POC parent of a child with special needs.
BKLYN Outpost Redux is an audio series developed to offer adult and young adult residents in Brooklyn family shelters the interest of expanding their digital knowledge through storytelling.
Dani talks about women in Hip Hop and how it has changed over the years.
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 Brooklyn, New York. We're asking, what will you make today?
Arlene Ducao is an educator and technologist in Brooklyn. Find her and her project at http://www.arlduc.org/
Who Tells Your Story is a program aimed at increasing BPL’s outreach efforts to older adults; fostering digital literacy and promoting personal ownership of stories they can create. Elliot interviews Sylvia about her life and career in Brooklyn.
Who Tells Your Story is a program aimed at increasing BPL’s outreach efforts to older adults; fostering digital literacy and promoting personal ownership of stories they can create. Fredrick interviews his oldest sister about her first impressions arriving in the United States.
Who Tells Your Story is a program aimed at increasing BPL’s outreach efforts to older adults; fostering digital literacy and promoting personal ownership of stories they can create. Mariu interviews Ursula about her experience of being retired after a long career in New York City.
Who Tells Your Story is a program aimed at increasing BPL’s outreach efforts to older adults; fostering digital literacy and promoting personal ownership of stories they can create. Rona interviews her Midwood neighbor Joan about her life in Brooklyn.
Who Tells Your Story is a program aimed at increasing BPL’s outreach efforts to older adults; fostering digital literacy and promoting personal ownership of stories they can create. Sylvia interviews Elliot about changes in the Kings Highway neighborhood, where he’s lived for 70 years.
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 Brooklyn, New York. We're asking, what will you make today?
Jaime Lee Lewis is an artist, poet, writer, and educator based in NYC, who uses the Info Commons recording studio to create the music and poetry that adds to his growing brand of artistic content. Interviewed by Info Commons Librarian Phillip Bond
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 Brooklyn, New York. We're asking, what will you make today?
Librarian Melissa Morrone interviewed Sina Zekavat about architecture, gentrification, housing justice, and the changing urban space that is now Brooklyn, New York.
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 Brooklyn, New York. We're asking, what will you make today?
As a local filmmaker, oral documentarian and storyteller, Jamie has been a very gracious Info Commons patron who offers her own expertise and advice to our podcast project. Hear snippets of three interviews BPL's oral history project on gentrification called “Brooklyn Transitions Oral History Project."
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 Brooklyn, New York. We're asking, what will you make today?
Meet your local artist collective, Cósmica. Artists Barbara Calderón & April Ibarra Siqueiros share the many wonders of creating your art and helping others to foster creativity. Keep listening for featured music from Info Commons studio user Freddie Cosmo.
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 Brooklyn, New York. We're asking, what will you make today?
Meet native New Yorker and musician Robert Leach. Robert was part of the first wave of artists to utilize the studio space and create musical compositions. Keep listening for our first Mixtape short: a children's story read by Windsor Terrace librarian Jane Palmer.
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 Brooklyn, New York. We're asking, what will you make today?
We interview Alex and Becky Chipkin, who have been providing printmaking workshops at the Info Commons over the last few years. As twin artists and activists, they share what printmaking means to them, and what having a printing press on bicycle is all about.