Through a unique initiative called “Brooklyn, Stand Up!: Documenting the Brooklyn Renaissance“, DOPE SWAN, a community arts organization, will pay homage to Brooklyn’s diverse cultural heritage. To kick off the year-long study, we brought together some of the borough’s brightest stars for a historic photographic memoir entitled “A Great Day in Brooklyn“.
Shot by renowned documentarian and Brooklyn native Jamel Shabazz, the photo was a visual blueprint of Brooklyn residents who eloquently merge the worlds of art, activism and entrepreneurship. Participants included the owner of New York City’s first eco-eatery Sean Meenan, Michael K. Williams from HBO’s “The Wire”, hip-hop emcee, actor and community activist Mos Def, Black Girls Rock! founder DJ Beverly Bond and Tony Award winning Def Poetry Jam artist Suheir Hammad.
In addition to the photograph, which will be published in a book of the same name and accompanied by a documentary of the day’s events, “Brooklyn, Stand Up!” will consist of several components, including monthly arts programming, an online archive of interviews collected from Brooklyn’s self-made leaders and a scholarship fund for Brooklyn students wishing to pursue an education in the arts.
About DOPE SWAN
DOPE SWAN is a community arts organization focused on providing outlets that support and engage emerging creative talents within the visual and performing arts. Through collaborations with underrepresented artists and partnerships with educators, activists and community leaders, DOPE SWAN works to strengthen the connections between art, livelihood and community.
Staff
Sallomé Hralima, A Great Day in Brooklyn Producer
Sallomé Hralima is an idea mogul and dream executor. With a liberal arts degree from Wesleyan University, studies in West Africa, Master’s coursework, and training and certification in the country’s foremost educational centers, she uses her knowledge to forward arts & social justice-based education, youth leadership, and social consumerism. Entities that have benefited from Sallomé’s expertise include: Marc Ecko Enterprises, Landmark Education, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and WBAI – Pacifica Radio.
Raquel Wilson, A Great Day in Brooklyn Assistant Producer
Raquel Wilson’s love for all things cultural, matched with her activist spirit and multimedia prowess, makes her a secret weapon in a time of rapidly changing technology, exporting of cultural ideas and products, and a growing surge of international social consciousness. She is passionate about giving the underrepresented opportunities for success and has used her professional experience in art direction, journalism, web development, marketing and publicity to aid small and big businesses including The Dance Theatre of Harlem, UNICEF, Erykah Badu, Akintola Hanif & Jamel Shabazz, advertising powerhouse – J. Walter Thompson and copyright and licensing agency – CMG Worldwide.
