When a group of unpaid volunteers get together to blog about the neighborhood they love, this is what happens.  Welcome to the virtual town square…

EXECUTIVE STAFF

Ferentz Lafargue,  Executive Director, Born in Haiti and raised in New York City, Ferentz Lafargue is an assistant professor of Literary Studies at Eugene Lang College, author of the memoir, Songs in the Key of My Life. His essays have appeared in 215mag.com, Bronx Biannual, the collections Starting With I (Persea Books, 1997) and Strong Teens, Strong Neighborhoods (2007).  Ferentz is also a contributor to The Huffington Post where he addresses issues related to national politics, sports and entertainment.

Laurel Brown,  Director of Community Development & Placemaking, “I’m not a blogger.  I’m just someone who loves Crown Heights.”

PHOTOGRAPHY AND EVENTS

Abeni Garrett,  Photographer, Abeni G. is a NYC based Filmmaker and photographer who documents the real and the surreal.

Jennifer Macchiarelli,  Photographer,  A Media Educator at Global Action Project in Manhattan, Jennifer is thrilled to join the team at Nostrand Park. She also has a photography blog: Jennylow.

Shawn Rosvold,  Photographer  &  Crown Heights 360 Contributor,  was born in the sleepy prairie town of Medicine Hat, Alberta in Canada. Directly north of Havre, Montana.  An avid photographer, with over two decades of experience in radio, Shawn has also done a number of voice-over projects.  True to his picaresque roots, Shawn and his wife settled into an abandoned crack house in Crown Heights and with their love and care turned it into a beautiful home more reflective of the true character of their neighborhood.

THE ARTS SCENE

J.Levi,  Arts Contributor,  J. Levi’s love affair with books started early. She would read by night light and unsuccessfully feign sleep when caught. She now enjoys reading everything from postcolonial fiction to presidential biographies, food memoirs, and cook books.

Angela Tucker,  Arts Contributor,  is a filmmaker and writer based in New York City. She is the Director of Production at Big Mouth Films, the production arm of Arts Engine, Inc. She recently made two short pieces for The National Black Programming Consortium entitled Invisible Men. She is happy to be a part of the Nostrand Park team.

Richard Walkes,  Arts Contributor,  Richard is a graphic designer, artist and long time Brooklyn resident.  Stay tuned for a preview of his new website.

THE LOCAL HISTORY SCENE

Treverlyn Dehaarte,  Monica Parfait,  Quanaisha Phillips  and  Floyya Richardson,  guided by Alex Kelly,  Local History Contributors, Under the guidance of Alexandra Kelly, four students from Paul Robeson High School have endeavored to record over 60 conversations between themselves and local residents who have lived in Crown Heights for over 15 years.  Their project – the Crown Heights Oral History Project.  These interviews will be archived at Brooklyn Historical Society and presented to the community for a listening event in Spring 2010 to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Crow Hill Community Association.  Note: the team will only cross-publish snippets of their work on NP.  The full body of their work is available on their website.

THE BUSINESS SCENE

Laurel Brown, see above bio.

Shawn Rosvold, see above bio.

THE REAL ESTATE SCENE

Michael Corley, Real Estate Contributor,  Michael is the publisher of MyBrooklynReport.com, a forum about Brooklyn neighborhoods, its Opportunities and the Politics of Real Estate in NYC, a Real Estate Broker and a resident of Crown Heights South for 12 years.

If you’re interested in joining the town square, send an email to us at nostrandpark@gmail.com.  We absolutely welcome all, but we are particularly interested in more bloggers for local history, the local food/dining scene and the local cultural scene (i.e. Caribbean, Hassidic, Panamanian, etc.)

Popularity: 30% [?]