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Tragedy struck BMC and our allies in May, but BMC continues to drive change in Central Brooklyn.
Stuyvesant Mansion Fire
In the opening hours of May 14, a fire ripped through Bread Love Café and the adjoining 375 Stuyvesant mansion where BMC is headquartered. Bread Love's space was destroyed. The office of Ancient Song Doula Services, BMC’s neighbor at 375, was badly damaged, and both BMC and Freebrook Academy have been forced to relocate while the clean up and restoration of the building continue. Thankfully, no one inside the building was hurt, including the family of the owner-occupant Barry Sheppard.
The board and staff of BMC thank you for your well wishes and support, especially Crown Heights Community Mediation Center, Wayne Devonish and Magnolia Tree Earth Center, Monique Greenwood and the staff of Akwaaba Mansion, David Alexander, Dara Cooper and Djibril Toure. You exemplify all that is right about Central Brooklyn.

While the clean up and restoration of the building continue, you can find BMC staff at Bed-Stuy SOS’ new offices at 677 Lafayette Avenue
A Food Co-op For Central Brooklyn: Worker Owned and Operated
For over three months, members involved in the food co-op organizing process debated different possible business models. We considered their implications for Central Brooklyn, particularly how each model advanced our racial and economic justice values.

Ultimately, in a vote held in May 2014, we decided to adopt a working member-owned and operated model that aligns with Park Slope Food Coop and Greene Hill Food Co-op. Read more: 
Members of New Food Co-Op Vote to Model it on Park Slope Market.
EDUCATION UPDATE
CSD16 Principal Meeting
BMC and the Community Education Council of District 16 gathered district principals at Akwaaba Inn on May 14th for a luncheon to discuss principal collaboration. CSD16 principals have long identified mental health services as a major need. At this meeting, we were able to rally around a plan to collectively bring mental health resources and other district-wide services to students and parents.

UPK Forum
On Wednesday, May 21, BMC held a public forum about the City's expansion of Pre-Kindergarten programs this fall. The forum gave parents and community-based early childhood providers an opportunity to hear the perspectives of an advocate, a local principal, a DOE official, and a community-based early childhood provider in navigating the complicated policy changes.
BMC's Newest Addition
Felicia P. Alexander joins the BMC family as our new Schools 360 Campaign Organizer. Felicia, a Bed-Stuy native, is a wife and mother of four young children, and distinguished herself as a BMC member before coming on staff. As president of the Community Education Council (CEC) for District 16, Felicia is a fierce advocate for Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights public school parents and students. You can find Felicia at falexander@brooklynmovementcenter.org.
BMC Third Rail
"Organizing & Funding the Revolution"
Every first Friday, BMC Third Rail podcast addresses issues impacting Central Brooklynites. Recently BMC Board members Braeden Lentz, Development Manager, Urban Justice Center and Maurice Mitchell, Coordinator, New York Civic Engagement Table joined us to discuss the challenges of black community organizing and funding. Listen Here
We are now eight episodes in! Are you all caught up? SUBSCRIBE in iTunes and automatically get shows to your phone. Or simply head to our website to listen.
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