Past Events

A Journey of Self-Discovery and Laughter: 'As A...' Written and Performed by Shaquila “Qualah” Gooden Sept 7 – 9, 2023Weeksville Heritage Center This comedic meta-monologue was not just a show; it was a heartfelt exploration of identity, family, and the pursuit of knowing your true worth. The brainchild of Gooden, a Trinidadian-American Actress, Comedian and Author with direction by Khalil Kain, 'As A..." took us on a journey of navigating the complex tapestry of life. Recap Photos: Photos by Donte Jones Executive Producer: Erica HarperProducer: Vincent FergusonDirected by: Khalil KainScenic Designer: Romello HuinsProduction Manager: Cynthia KittStage Manager: Imani Gooden and…

The Crowned and Planted Tea Party is back! We're excited to fellowship together this Saturday, Aug 5th for a festive tea time that encourages self-care in our beautifully decorated garden, Presented in partnership with Campbell and Carr, a cultural apothecary. Celebrate the power of plants as medicine, sip a variety of teas, enjoy some culinary treats, shop for beauty and wellness goods, and enjoy complimentary workshops, conversations, and demonstrations that will leave your personal spirit rejuvenated!

Join us on Saturday, July 15 in collaboration with The Earth Center for a deep exploration of the African indigenous history of colonization, the origins of "colors," and how it all influences the ways in which we interact with each other today.

Join us this Friday, June 30 for a screening of After Sherman, a stirring and powerful film, by Jon-Sesrie Goff. In the film, Goff follows his father, a minister, in the aftermath of the 2015 shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina to understand how communities of descendants of enslaved Africans use their unique faith as a form of survival as they continue to fight for America to live up to its many unfulfilled promises to Black Americans.

Join us for a festive tea time that encourages self-care in our beautifully decorated garden! Presented in partnership with Campbell and Carr, a cultural apothecary. Celebrate the power of plants as medicine, sip a variety of teas, enjoy some culinary treats, shop for beauty and wellness goods, and enjoy complimentary workshops, conversations, and demonstrations that will leave your personal spirit rejuvenated! Date: Saturday, June 24 Time: 10am - 2:30pm Attire: “Afro Beautiful” (ankara inspired, culturally creative, comfortably cute; with jewels for your hair, tiaras, fascinators, geles or whatever ‘crowns’ you create are welcomed AND encouraged) Cost: $20 (includes heavy hors…

A Silent Pause is an immersive movement piece, a choreopoem, sister to Ntozake Shange’s For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow is Enuf, an inspiration to writer Nyesha L. McCormick. The audience will be taken on a journey through Nyesha’s mind: the performance takes form as an open diary written in prose and poetry exploring themes of love, sex, identity, and the intricacies of human emotion. This production of A Silent Pause is a collaborative effort with movement choreography by Kendall Butler (she/her), music composition by Austin D’Adamo (he/him) and Fara Faidzan (she/they); bass played by…

Join Weeksville Heritage Center and Jummy’s Picks by Black-Owned Brooklyn for our second annual Juneteenth Food Festival on June 17 and 18, from 12-7 pm. On June 19, 1865, enslaved Black Texans were finally informed they were free, two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. This day would come to be commemorated as Emancipation Day, also known as Juneteenth. Historically, celebrations were many -- ceremonial readings, church services, and parades took place far and wide. Of course, food has been a huge part of these celebrations since the holiday was first observed in 1866 and we aim to…

We are excited to be partnering with Chief Baba Neil Clarke for a second year to bring the festival of Pinkster to Weeksville on Sat, June 10 from 12-5:30pm! Celebrated over several days, Pinkster’s origins tell the story of the resilience of New York’s enslaved people, who were determined to maintain community and resist bondage. Its history is rooted in radical resistance, independence and faith, and we are honored to keep this tradition alive. The day-long event will feature a Pinkster reenactment, quilting, mancala, a popular, ancient game played across Africa and opportunities to learn more about the history of…

Join us for The Keeping by Jupiter Performance Studio. Inspired by the founding of Weeksville, gather with us as we honor the legacy of Black liberation in Brooklyn and beyond. GET YOUR TICKET About the Keeping: The Keeping is a processional performance created for an ensemble of seven performers and six musicians. The multi-site specific procession is composed of live music, dance, storytelling, and poetry that explore the legacy of sovereignty, autonomy for Black communities who established freedom towns and spiritual communities from the 1800’s until now. The Keeping activates the entire Weeksville campus and four blocks bordering the center.…

(Warning) Black Women Resting ⚠️: held Sat, Mar 25 from 2-5pm, a multi-sensory immersive exploration of collective and creative rest that centers black women and femmes. Inspired by the Nap Bishop’s bestselling book, Rest is Resistance, this event will feature a live sound bath, restorative chair yoga, guided meditation, selected readings, facilitated dialogue & creative writing.

The annual Joan Maynard Lecture Series held Friday, March 24, 2023 at 6:30pm is a spotlight on Black scholars who work within history, sociology, preservation, museum or curatorial studies, library or archival science, oral history, anthropology or cultural criticism and bring their brilliance to Central Brooklyn. This season's lecturer was none other than Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, noted anthropologist, educator, author, speaker, and DEAI consultant. Her lecture is titled "Why African-American History, Art and Culture Should Matter to All Americans." This event was free to the public, in-person and virtual. Watch the Lecture Below: This program was funded in part…