The keynote speaker is .... Alicka Ampry-Samuel

I trekked all the way to 2 Court Square after working in the garden, because it was a mandatory Professional Development workshop. Since school has started, my out of class time is limited making me feel tense. As I looked at the night's itinerary I was pleasantly surprised. I asked my neighbor... is that Alicka Samuel? Unfortuantely, they didn't know of her work.

Working as an organizer you sometimes  you met pretty phenomenal elected officials. Their work  speaks for itself, you see them passionately advocate, the legistlation they push actually serves NYC. Alicka Ampry-Samuel is one of them. She has funded local CBOs who were genuinely working to keep long-term Brooklyn  residents in their homes. She also supported small businesses and fostered what she calls "home grown" entrepreneurs to build up Brooklyn. 

Brooklyn has some fierce residents working with amazing elected officials working to preserve their way of life. I can't express to you how happy I felt when I saw her. Hearing her speak was confirmation that I am in the right place for a time such as this. She spoke of the circular relationship between the apparent need her community and her passion. That resonated with me, so deeply, especially now as there are so many distractions and forces working to dismantle NYC Black communities.

Then afterwards, I ran into a former neighbor who got pushed out of Crotona 5 years ago due to gentrification. It was all confirmation for me, it is possible to build sustainable communities. Elected officials can fight for equity and furthermor are willing to be held accountable to their constitutions. The power is there for the taking. No one is going to preserve your community but you. Reconnecting with her afterwards did not disappoint. #CUNYlaw #sisterhood #faith2opendoors #motivated #thymedaction

Everything is everything.