ABOUT THE PROJECT
Archiving East New York uses community archival practices to explore the significance of representation and highlight counter narratives about communities of color in East New York, Brooklyn. Jamel Burgess and community members will produce an accessible digital platform combining oral histories with multimedia elements—including video, images, and ephemera—to educate East New York residents and the general public about the Brooklyn neighborhood. Documentation and oral histories will focus on Black and Brown residents from the community in the decades following the 1960s.The project will emphasize youth engagement by teaching about East New York, building community pride, and introducing youth to oral histories and community organizing.
Meet the Artist
Jamel Burgess is a multidisciplinary artist and community organizer. Through music production, Jamel explores musical lineage, sound manipulation, and hip-hop production. Jamel has over 10 years of experience producing instrumentals and received a music production degree from Queensborough College before completing a self-directed degree centered in art and activism from The New School for Social Engagement in 2021. He is also a founding member and former president of The New School’s Hip Hop Collective.