1619 Brooklyn centers on Brooklyn slavery history as part of a national commemoration of the 400th anniversary of American slavery (1619-2019). We are a creative arts community, and an events and news platform called to tell stories of inequality, resistance, and triumph.
Hear Brooklyn voices reflect about slavery in our 1619BK blog. Check the Events page for diverse activities. Our historical Timeline offers facts about the indigenous Lenape tribe, Dutch and British colonists, and enslaved and empowered Africans. We honor how Black people struggled and became a powerful influence on American culture. We unpack how diverse Brooklyn became the multicultural center of the world.
1619 Brooklyn is sponsored by Narrative Network, a New York-based storytelling company.
The Team
Sylvia Wong Lewis
FOUNDER
Journalist, artist, activist, Sylvia Wong Lewis grew up in Brooklyn and traces her enslaved and enslaving ancestors to Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Her film “From Shanghai to Harlem” and theatrical productions ‘‘Madame Tempy” and “Strange Fruit” chronicles family stories. A co-leader of Coming to the Table-NYC chapter, Sylvia has been co-hosting slavery and racism dialogues in her home for many years.
Precilla Zambrano
reporter
A Brooklyn-born journalist and teacher specializing in education and culture, Precilla is a Bard College student majoring in social work.
Victoria Yan
Editor
A Brooklyn-located journalist, formerly based in Beirut, Lebanon, Victoria specializes in culture and politics.
William Coleman
Advisor
A Brooklyn historian, William is working on a book about Brooklyn slavery history.
Adrian Franks
Creative director
ATLien turned Brooklyn native, Adrian not only works at IBM iX as a UX Creative Director, but is a talented artist working with names such as Spike Lee and others.
Kayode Lowo
Designer
“Kaylo” is a creative designer from Atlanta, living in Brooklyn. He currently works as a Senior Designer at IBM iX. In his free time he enjoys creating content in the avenues of photography, videography, and design.
Community Partners
Bard Microcollege at Brooklyn Public Library | 400 Years of Inequality | Coming to the Table-New York.
Family Tribute
Enslaved and enslavers, my great grandparents: In Ocean Springs, Mississippi, my enslaved Nigerian great, grandmother, Tempy Burton, was given as a wedding gift to enslavers Col. WR Stuart and wife Ms. Lizzie. Grandmother Tempy had several children with Col. Stuart, my great, great grandfather. The mulatto girls are my aunt and grandmother. - Sylvia Wong Lewis