“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution.” – Albert Einstein
“Imagine all the people living life in peace.” – John Lennon
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Yesterday around noon, I stood on a rooftop in east Brooklyn with a group of leaders and organizers from East Brooklyn Congregations (EBC) and Baltimoreans United In Leadership Development (BUILD), sister affiliates in Metro IAF (part of the Industrial Areas Foundation, our nation’s first and largest network of multi-faith people power organizations).
Below us was what used to be 60 acres of landfill that has been transformed into the Nehemiah Spring Creek Community: a modern and model mixed-income, smart-growth community that offers affordable apartment rentals, townhouse homeownership, senior housing and retail. There is also the Academy for Young Writers, a public school that offers AP courses and prepares its students for higher education and future careers in writing, among other fields; the Academy’s graduation rate exceeds the citywide average.
When our group of leaders hit the streets for a walking tour around Spring Creek yesterday, I walked beside Alberto. Alberto was one of the first people to own a Nehemiah home in east Brooklyn, which he purchased over 40 years ago. “An affordable home means an affordable life,” he smiled. He went on to describe how he was able to be present for and provide for his son and family as a result of his purchase. Alberto is now a key leader in EBC and in the community, making sure that what was possible for him continues to be possible for other families. While we were still on the rooftop, we learned there had been over 50,000 applications for one of the housing developments with less than 200 units.
Earlier today, our group of BUILD leaders traveled to the Bronx where we spent the morning at the Islamic Cultural Center of New York. We heard from organizers and leaders there, who recently founded our newest Metro IAF affiliate organization — Bronx First — comprised of over 50 civic institutions including mosques, churches, synagogues and nonprofits. At the top of their list of issues to tackle together are housing and public safety.
As I write this, our group of BUILD leaders is now back on the bus heading home to Baltimore, digesting and reflecting on all we have seen, heard, and learned.
And on the top of my mind and heart are an invitation and question for you to consider:
What can you imagine, for our community and for our city, that aligns with God’s dream and vision for the Beloved Community?
And what is one small step you might take to help realize what you imagine?
(And here’s another one: What might we imagine and make real, together?)
