Kindness: A principle embedded in everything this local organization does

Equality for Flatbush (E4F) is  a Black Lives Matter organization, founded by Imani Henry (he/him) that has been fighting gentrification, displacement, and police violence, and we’ve been fighting that in Brooklyn since 2013.

Largely made up of Black Caribbean women migrants, along with descendants of migrants of color, E4F is also a rapid response group. Henry, who has been in the social service field for over 25 years said that one thing that surprises people about E4F is that it is not a nonprofit.

“Our funding comes largely from grants and also the community. We don’t take any government funds,  and I think that does surprise people because we’re in an age where there are a lot of nonprofits and what we do allows us to have complete access to the community in a different way than nonprofits do,” he said.

He believes that this is what makes their work so powerful and important. Henry, along with Chelsea Renae, who works as a community organizer with E4F, also shared who inspired their decision to get into this work.

Renae attended the American Academy for Dramatic Arts for two years. She has been impacted by several things including the current political climate, the stories of Trayvon Martin and George Floyd when she was in high school, and her early college experience.

Henry added that there was a whole group of largely  Black LGBTQ people that were part of initial funding for E4F, including trusted activists and people in the arts.

“I think one, particularly one inspiration was ‘Do the Right Thing.’” it’s become this unfortunate thing that the movie is actually a real documentation of Brooklyn. It’s what Brooklyn is, that’s the Brooklyn we know and love.”

Henry had never done Flatbush politics. It was very eye opening,  but he  just knew that as residents in Brooklyn, we have to fight to preserve our community and support each other.

One of the E4F members who was really active during the pandemic was Ms. Paul. She lives in an apartment building with several disabled people. “She ordered food for them off of the food delivery list of E4F compiled,” Henry said.

“Then she brought everybody together. They made sure the order was delivered on the same day and then she distanced the food, so everyone could come to the lobby at once and get it. She organized that. That is extraordinary. But I also feel like that’s what Black people do every day.”

Renae added that people who are part of E4F are those who are in the community and also are directly impacted by what’s happening.“We foster an environment where it’s really family.  We’re not just there to just help or give assistance or anything, we are from the community.”

Henry shared about another woman who is actively involved. “We have one elder that she’s always offering us stuff every time we come, asking us if we want to take this back home with us or please have this. it’s very much as if you were going to your grandma’s house,” Henry continued.

Henry stated the kind of energy that E4F gives and creates, which is of hospitality. “That’s how we want everyone to feel. We are one family and there’s not some weird disconnect between us. We’re of the community, for the community.”

“We may not have never seen you in our lives, we may have just met you two seconds ago, but if something’s happening, we’re there for you and we’re gonna make you feel that you are safe and protected and cared about,” he said. “That’s what I think separates us from maybe some other folks who do this work is that familial aspect of it.”

Those who appreciate the work of E4F and are interested in supporting them can do so by donating here: https://www.equalityforflatbush.org/about/#donate.