Sunday, June 26, 2016, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, along with a host of Brooklynites and international and domestic cultural enthusiasts, kicked off the inaugural Central Brooklyn Arts & Cultural Walk. The Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Brooklyn Museum served as the official campuses for this festive affair that helped celebrate the official launch of One Brooklyn Fund, Inc., the Borough of Brooklyn’s very own charitable arm.
Key sponsors of the CBACW are NYC & Co., Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, WBLS FM, the New York Daily News, WPIX, ABC7 and News 12. The famed Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Arch located at Grand Army Plaza served as the official staging area for the family friendly CBACW. Activities included live entertainment from the cast of “Motown the Musical,” dancers from the Dwana Smallwood Performance Arts Center, conscious rapper Path P, legendary Broadway actress Ebony Jo-Ann, Brooklyn Dance Festival dancers and Cumbe Dance Ensemble, among others.
Activities also included the Brooklyn Public Library’s 75th Anniversary celebration, which featured live entertainment and family friendly activities in the plaza area. Brooklyn Botanic Garden rolled out its kid-friendly Discovery Garden workshop, and the Brooklyn Museum provided arts and crafts for all ages in its plaza area. CBACW also unveiled its annual Children’s Village, which included the BK Chill Ice Cream Social. The event matched children with senior citizens around a tasty treat. The Department for the Aging and many health care providers supported the effort. This all-day affair also included family friendly workshops, demonstrations, health screenings and numerous treats from an array of food truck vendors along Eastern Parkway.
Adams relaunched the annual Welcome Back to Brooklyn inductions. The exclusive affair honors famed Brooklynites who have gone on to make outstanding contributions to society and the world at large. The 2016 induction honored comedian Joy Behar.