The grassroots community was deeply saddened as news spread that longtime activist, Atiim Ferguson, 74, became an ancestor on January 17, 2022, after a prolonged stay in a Brooklyn medical facility. He has been a staple in the community for several decades working alongside urban warrior Sonny “Abubadika” Carson, and fellow comrades Ali Lamont Jr., Rasheem Allah, Tarik Haskins, and others.
Located in the People’s Republic of Brooklyn, at Bed Stuy’s Restoration Plaza [1360 Harriet Tubman Blvd. a.k.a. Fulton St.], the Committee To Honor Black Heroes is responsible for conducting several street co-naming campaigns which commemorated the significant achievements of some prominent African American historical figures. They have also helped provide training and employment opportunities for local youths.
Atiim has always been willing to lend a helping hand to others in the community, and always willing to provide advice to area youths so that they don’t fall into the many traps which lie throughout the concrete jungle. Whether tutoring teenagers in acquiring a formal education or working skills, or organizing cultural events and clothing drives, he always put his community first.
As part of the Black Men’s Movement Against Crack, they shut down many illicit drug dens. They also provided support and legal counsel for victims of police brutality, as well as for those being exploited by greedy landlords.
After Carson’s transition in December 2002, Atiim continued fighting on the frontlines, along with his comrades, for the overall betterment of his community. The humble warrior always shared advice on how to maintain one’s neighborhoods and helped organize street patrols to combat crime.
Memorial services are scheduled for this Friday, Feb. 4 at Woodard Funeral Home, 1 Troy Ave., Brooklyn 11213; viewing 2-4 p.m., funeral 4-6 p.m.