Friends of Abolitionist Place invites the public on Feb. 19 to a virtual lecture examining the history of Downtown Brooklyn’s 19th-century free Black community and its pivotal role in the Abolitionist and Black suffrage movements.
The presentation centers on the historic home at 227 Abolitionist Pl., once part of a thriving free Black neighborhood that helped shape local and national struggles for freedom and voting rights.
Through historical context and storytelling, the lecture traces how residents organized, resisted oppression and built networks of mutual aid and political action that reverberated far beyond Brooklyn.
The program also honors the life and legacy of Mama Joy Chatel, the late owner of 227 Abolitionist Pl. A devoted preservationist and modern-day abolitionist, Mama Joy’s determined advocacy helped save the house from demolition, securing its future as a protected landmark and an enduring symbol of Black resistance and community power.
Event Details
Date: Feb. 19
Time: 1:00pm
Zoom Virtual Meeting ID: 264 399 203 714 34
Passcode: BG3WQ384
Designed for students, educators, community members and civic audiences, the lecture offers a deeper understanding of Brooklyn’s abolitionist history and the enduring Black legacy rooted in Downtown Brooklyn.
The event coincides with a significant milestone: Feb. 2 marks the five-year anniversary of the landmarking of 227 Abolitionist Pl. The designation stands as a living reminder of Black resilience, cultural self-sufficiency and collective action.
