Long Trip: Weeksville, Brooklyn
June 17 – 19, 2022
Weeksville was a free African settlement established in 1838, prior to the end of the Civil War and shortly after slavery was abolished in New York. Founder, John Weeks sought to create a self-sustaining, landowning community, where all local institutions (including a school, orphanage, church and newspaper) were black owned and operated. This Brooklyn hamlet became a refuge from racial violence and has fought back urbanization and gentrification over many decades in a grassroots effort to preserve its history.
The Long Trip program will continue to reflect on the impact of racial caste on American history and the contemporary American experience during three days on ground in Weeksville, Brooklyn. We will meet with historians, preservationists, school leaders, business owners and activists to learn the critical role that one community can play in providing safety and preserving voice over time.
We hope you can join us!
Warm Regards,
Abby Kerlin