When: Sunday March 15th 12:30 PM
Where: via Zoom* & In-Person at 269 4th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11215
*must RSVP above to receive the link.
Seemingly, humankind has always been in some form of struggle. Rarely, if ever, was there a “golden age” of peace and harmony outside and beyond the home. Historians generally select men and kings, mighty men to determine what happened in this or that episode of existence. Long ago, I learned that men did not do whatever is attributed to them by themselves. Often women were beside them, frequently, as partners in what, in fact, was their joint pursuit. Sometimes the women were ahead of the men, bringing forward new information. Sometimes women were opposed to the prevailing norms, mounting their counter arguments and often paying a price.
With music by Chris Oledude.
About the Speaker
As a member of SNCC, Muriel Tillinghast was one of three female project directors in the state of Mississippi during “Freedom Summer” of 1964. As director, she was responsible for voter registration and other work in three river counties within the second congressional district. At a later point, Ms. Tillinghast headed state operations out of Jackson, MS, after which she handled regional administrative work at SNCC headquarters in Atlanta, GA. Government interference and reaction to a published recommendation for a 2-state solution on the issue of Palestine brought about the collapse of the organization. Since that time, Muriel Tillinghast has pioneered in domestic violence abuse, worked at River’s Island and the Brooklyn House of Detention, built St. Margaret’s House for Trinity Church, aborted scientific experimentation on a child, worked in reviving landlord abandoned housing, tried to save a church and worked in a community garden. Muriel Tillinghast is a member of BSEC’s board of trustees and chairs two committees. One of the committees, Lucy’s Children, named after one of mankind’s oldest fossilized remains, was established for and is dedicated to the study of Black life in America and selected peoples’ history and events from around the world. She spends a great deal of time doing historical research as is a recognized autodidact in Black and American History. She and her cat live in Brooklyn, NY.
About the Musician
Chris Owens is a Puerto Rican-born, African American, white-Jewish artist with a songwriter’s lifelong dedication to truth-telling. Part of a creative family, Chris grew up harmonizing with his two brothers in a household where classical, folk, pop, funk, and protest music all had a place. His mother, the late Ethel Werfel Owens, was his first music teacher, and his father, the late Major R. Owens, was a librarian-turned-elected official and Chris’ first political hero.
When: Sunday March 8 12:30 PM
Where: via Zoom* & In-Person at 269 4th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11215
*must RSVP above to receive the link.
Local youth action can spark systemic change.
Rhonda Keyser connects youth activism, environmental justice, and public education to show how local youth action can spark systemic change. This talk explores activism as an ethical and civic practice — showing how education, participation in public process, and youth leadership empower historically disempowered students, build democratic skills, influence policy change, and transform communities.
With music by Maybelle Keyser-Butson.
About the Speaker
Rhonda Keyser is the Program and Policy Director for Cafeteria Culture. She is also an actress, environmental educator, and grassroots organizer. Stewarded by her leadership, CafCu’s school programs and education + action toolkits, a growing collection of lesson plans and activities centering students as leaders across New York City, have resulted in the diversion of 85 to 97% of school cafeteria waste from landfills and incinerators. CafCu’s scaling of hyper-local youth-led solutions has reduced more than 32 million single-use plastic items in New York City School lunches to date. In addition, Keyser is a leading advocate for indoor air quality in schools and has co-created the “know-your-rights” manual, Safe School Renovation, with New York Lawyers for the Public Interest. She serves on the board of Sure We Can, NYC’s only non-profit bottle and can redemption center, and is Vice Chair of the Brooklyn Solid Waste Advisory Board.
About the Musician
Maybelle Keyser-Butson is a senior at Barnard College studying English, Creative Writing, and French. Growing up around artists and activists, Maybelle has always been surrounded by conversations about art, action, and change. She writes creative essays and has recently recorded two original singles with a producer in Brooklyn. After graduating, she plans to teach English for a year in Paris before returning to the United States for graduate school.
When: Sunday March 1st 12:30PM
Where: via Zoom* & In-Person at 269 4th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215
*must RSVP above to receive the link.
Women, including lesbians (sapphic people), have been integral to the expansion of rights for all people in the United States. Join us for a talk about the role women have played and how women who loved other women were essential to the fight for rights throughout our history…and now.
This event will be ASL-Interpreted.
With music by Lindsey Wilson.
About the Speaker
Betsy Carswell serves as Board President of the Golden Crown Literary Society, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing the visibility of sapphic literature. She grew up in a Navy family on the coasts of the United States, living in Virginia, Hawaii, California, South Carolina, Florida, and Maryland before finding home in Washington, DC. She retired from federal service in 2017 after a 32-year career in the Intelligence Community where she served as a cartographer, geospatial analyst, and senior manager. Her academic background includes a BA in geography and religion, an MS in pastoral counseling, post-graduate work in geospatial intelligence, and a graduate certificate in conflict resolution and negotiation. She lives on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC with Carol, her wife of 15 years.
About the Musician
Lindsey Wilson is a NYC singer songwriter blending soulful 70s inspired folk rock with thoughtful lyrics about love, justice, and resilience. Influenced by artists like Odetta and Joni Mitchell, her songs include protest anthems such as “Stand for the People.” She serves as a board member of Kupanda Sisters, Inc., where she has led music workshops for youth, including programs in Guyana. She also works in nonprofit community support helping provide employment and housing stability. Through her music and outreach, she uses art as a tool for empowerment and collective care.
