Get Involved
Seeking Fort Greene residents and artists!
Nominate your community hero
Do you know a neighbor who has:
- Faithfully nurtured and supported Fort Greene through the years
- Stepped up or spoken up for the community
- Passed away (in memoriam) who you want to publicly honor?
The Community Heroes public art project will be back in Commodore Barry Park and Fort Greene Park in summer 2023!
Nominate your community hero
This person may be included in a public art project in Commodore Barry Park or Fort Greene Park.
Collaborate
We are seeking local storytellers (photographers, artists and writers) with a connection to Fort Greene to collaborate on this project. Please note that proximity is a core value of this project, so storytellers who live, work, or have a relationship with the neighborhood will be prioritized. There will be a stipend for storytellers.
- Artists and photographers: We are seeking local artists from Fort Greene, Clinton Hill and Downtown Brooklyn to make a portrait of each community hero. Artists will meet the community hero for a 1-2 hour storytelling session to take their portrait. For community heroes who have passed away, the artist will meet with that person’s friends and family to help curate a collage portrait made of old photos and ephemera.
- Youth Writers: We are seeking young people ages 14 – 22 from Fort Greene, Clinton Hill and Downtown Brooklyn to interview each community hero. Writers will meet the community hero for a 1-2 hour storytelling session to interview them. For community heroes who have passed away, the writer will meet with that person’s friends and family to learn about the person.
Please fill out this form to indicate how you would like to contribute. We will be in touch when there is an opportunity to work together!
Sign up to participate
Visit the Exhibition
August 2023 – July 2024
Local artists, youth and community members come together to celebrate those dedicated to strengthening and supporting Fort Greene, focusing on long-term historic residents. This is an ongoing annual collaboration with the Fort Greene Park Conservancy and Friends of Commodore Barry Park.
Exhibition located in Fort Greene Park, along The Brooklyn Hospital Center, and Commodore Barry Park, by the football field.
Fort Greene News & Announcements
Aug 16, 2023: Celebrating Fort Greene Park Community Heroes
Wednesday August 16 was the Fort Greene Park Community Heroes Meet & Greet! So many people came out to support and celebrate their loved ones and neighbors! 1) The crowd cheering for this year’s Community Heroes! 2) Friends and family of Ms. Priscilla Douglas surround her. 3) Community Hero Tanja Richardson @Fatal_Star21 and her grandchildren pose in front of her banner 4) Filmmaker Tenisha Carrington @theenglishway_doc poses with family members of Dr. Josephine English in front of their banner 5) Aaron Zimmerman of @nywriters, a writing coach, and photographer Zahra Mirmalek @zahra.mirmalek who took his portrait 6) Janise Mitchell with her family in front of her banner. 7) Cheering for Carlos Jones of Switching Lifestylez @switchinglifestylez 8) Filmmaker Tenisha watches as Community Heroes share their stories 9) The crowd! So many neighbors and friends came together to celebrate! ❤️ @fortgreenepark @friendsofcommodorebarrypark @photoville @jointrellis #communityheroes #fortgreene #publicart #brooklyn
Aug 12, 2023: Celebrating Commodore Barry Community Heroes
Saturday August 12 was the Commodore Barry Park Community Heroes opening celebration, and it was filled with love and community pride! 1) Mary Fowler’s friends and family remembering her in front of her banner 2 ) Community Hero Coach Ron posing in front of his banner with friends 3 & 4) Coach Ron with youth writer Sonia who interviewed him to write his bio 5) Community Hero Eric Blackwell with youth writer Chloe who interviewed him and wrote his bio \ 6) The crowd listening to each Community Hero share 7) Seema & Rebecca of the @brooklynbookbodega sharing about the importance of having books accessible at home 8 The crowd listening to each Community Hero share 9) Community Hero Saleem Ali’s wife and daughter 10) Kesha Morse of Friends of Commodore Barry Park
Meet and Greet 2023 Fort Greene Community Heroes!
There's 12 new Community hero banners up in Fort Greene! Please join us for meet and greets in Commodore Barry Park and Fort Greene Park where you can meet the heroes, artists and youth writers! Community Heroes Commodore Barry Date: Saturday August 12 Time: 3:00PM-6:00PM Location: Commodore Barry Park, along the football field fence Community Heroes Fort Greene Park Date: Wednesday August 16 Time: 6:30PM-8:00PM Location: Fort Greene Park, along the hospital fence Please invite your friends, family and community!
Lead Neighborhood Organizers
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council. Special thanks to the NYC Green Relief and Recovery Fund for the support of this program.