As Quiet As It’s Kept, We Thrive: Stories & Portraits from the Heart of BedStuy

“As Quiet As It’s Kept, We Thrive:  Stories and Portraits from the Heart of BedStuy” an installation and celebration of the longtime residents of the Jackie Robinson Housing Complex (Fulton Park) and their neighbors.

Featured Artists:  Pia Monique Murray, Interviews and Documentary and Marienne “Yen” Thomas, Painted Portraits

Opening & Artists Reception, Saturday, March 4, 2023

2 PM to 5 PM

Presented by Bailey’s Cafe, 324 Malcolm X Boulevard, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn

As Quiet As It’s Kept, We Thrive: Stories and Portraits from the Heart of BedStuy brings visibility to the residents of BedStuy whose voices are seldom heard, honored and celebrated. The portrait and mini-documentary series comes out of a larger community-based movement to offer alternatives to the violence that continues to erupt in our neighborhood, which has been centered around the Jackie Robinson Housing Complex and the Park Playground. The focus is to bring positive, life-affirming activities to those who may not feel that they are normally included. 

The gallery exhibit will include interactive activities as well as additional information about the participants and Jackie Robinson, who had the Jackie Robinson Housing Complex built specifically for Black people who had been left out of the housing market. Robinson’s connection to the housing complex has been erased by the current owner who now calls the complex, Fulton Park. With the support of Photoville, we will bring the portraits and words of the residents into public view through an installation of life size banners in spaces surrounding the housing complex, spring 2023. Our mini-documentary and portrait project is one of a series of steps, along with the other life-affirming activities, towards building a more trusting, interconnected community that works together to create an environment that doesn’t push out or leave out anyone because of race, economic status or formal education.

As Quiet As It’s Kept, We Thrive is supported by the Emmanuel Baptist Church Benevolence Fund, the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and our individual donors.