During the early evening on February 23, P.S. 250 welcomed the community to enjoy performances and applaud area leaders as part of their Black History Month Celebration.
Barbara Williams served as emcee. Bishop Dr. Michael Clarke (professor/director at Macedonia Theological Seminary and spiritual care giver at Brooklyn Family Justice Center) led the opening prayer. Theda Clay sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing” (The Black National Anthem). El Puente’s Crowd Control, Salvation Dance Company, and Brooklyn United Now lifted up the audience further with their music and dance performances. U.S. Representative Nydia Velázquez, NYS Senator Julia Salazar, NYS Assembly Members Maritza Davila (AD 53) and Stefani Zinerman (AD 56), Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, and NYC Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez presented commendations to those being recognized: NYS Attorney General Letitia James, Annette Spellen, Rashid Littlejohn, Dr. Robert Chin, Lohoma Shipman, Shonn Marrow, Tonya Lewis Taylor, and Shanequa Lewis.
“I had the honor of recognizing Annette Spellen, who fought for years for women’s and racial equality in the NYPD and continues to make a difference as a member of Brooklyn CB 4 in Bushwick,” said U.S. Representative Nydia Velázquez. Spellen joined the New York Police Department in 1969. She worked undercover for three years, was promoted to detective, later was on the hostage negation team, and although she retired in 1993, she continued to volunteer for the NYPD.
Rashid Littlejohn started GCAMP (Genuinely Care About My Planet) in 2008 in Bushwick. This initiative inspired the community’s youth to go green through educational workshops. In 2021 he launched Grants for Guns with St. Francis College, which offered young people who made the choice to turn away from violence the opportunity of higher education. NYS Senator Julia Salazar presented Littlejohn the recognition certificate.
NYS Assembly Member Maritza Davila presented the honor bestowed on NYS Attorney General Letitia James. As James was unable to attend, Bianca Wheeler (chief of Diversity and Inclusion Office) accepted on her behalf. Davila also recognized Robert Chin, MD (NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull’s chief of emergency medicine), which was accepted by Mark Watson, MD also of Woodhull Hospital.
Lohoma Shipman (president, Bushwick Houses Tenant Association) and Shonn Marrow (community liaison for The Wick Against Violence) were honored by NYC Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez.
NYS Assembly Member Stefani Zinerman honored Tonia Lewis Taylor (co-founder/ executive director of I Will Graduate).
Shanequa Lewis, vice president of Borinquen Plaza Houses Tenant Association was honored by Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.
The school week following this celebration, P.S. 250 and M.S. 50 participated in Black Lives Matter in NYC Schools. A teach-in and art build occurred from 4 p.m.–6 p.m. on February 26 at M.S. 50, and during the same hours on February 29, P.S. 250 held a student showcase.
The Greenline 