Celebrating Black History Month: Meet Some of NYCHA’s Resident Artists
This year, the theme of Black History Month shines a light on African-American artists – writers, musicians, painters, dancers, actors, photographers, and more – who have helped shape our rich American culture and paved the way for current and future generations of Black creatives.
There are many famous Black artists who grew up at NYCHA developments, including comedian/actors Whoopi Goldberg, Tracy Morgan, Michael Che, and the Wayans Brothers (Keenan, Shawn, Damon, and Marlon); late singer Sharon Jones; rappers Jay-Z, Nas, and Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def); and writer/filmmaker Julie Dash. They serve as inspiration to all who are pursuing artistic endeavors, but especially to NYCHA residents.
Meet a few of NYCHA’s creative residents to learn about their work and their inspiration.
Kimberly Comes, Redfern Houses Resident Association President
I’m a wife, mother of two sons, and a grandmother of six. I’m also a vocalist, actress, and former tap, modern, and African dancer. I’ve been singing and acting since I was 9. In the fourth grade I was in my first play, it was a musical. I played Louise Jefferson from “The Jeffersons.” The play was about a kid who wasn’t doing well in school. All he did was watch TV. It was basically a dream sequence with characters from his favorite show coming to life. I played Louise and told him to “Get to your math!”
I was trained in the church and community choirs, school glee clubs, NYCHA performing arts workshops, and NYCHA talent shows. I sing a little bit of everything. Lately, I’ve been singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the Black national anthem, for different organizations when they are having a function or sporting event. I’ve also been asked to sing “Eye on the Sparrow” at funerals.
I have been proud of many moments in my artistic career. I received the lead role in a community production of the play “The Wiz” at age 36. I won the NYCHA Talent Show twice; once in 1999 and again in 2008. I sang “Home” from “The Wiz.” I recently had a part as Sister Martha in a movie called “Coming for the King” – it’s about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and was written by Jermaine Smith.
I’ve been inspired by so many African-American artists past and present and I can’t choose just one. The singers I love include Anita Baker, Chaka Khan, and Earth, Wind, and Fire. The actresses I love are Pearl Bailey, Della Reese, and Angela Bassett.
Natasha Crump, Sumner Houses
I started writing poetry in 2016. I was working in a women’s shelter as a case manager, and we used to have poetry night every Tuesday. I remember hearing the ladies’ poems that talked about different topics, and I just started to write. I write a lot about the transition from sadness to joy or not knowing who you are and then finally finding yourself. It’s about being in one place in your life and then transitioning to being in a good or great place. I try to be a voice for people who don’t have a voice or are afraid to speak up, and I try to encourage people through my words. I’m a self-taught poet. If you give me a theme or a topic, I can sit down and the writing just flows.
My proudest moment as a poet came in July 2021 when I self-published my poetry book, “Your Pain Had a Purpose,” on Amazon. That following month, I held my first book signing for my 39th birthday at a space in Brooklyn. I was so excited to publish it. It felt very surreal. I’m currently working on another book that will offer readers 100 days of encouragement.
I’m inspired by poet Maya Angelou because her words, as well as everything she was, displayed the power she had as a Black woman.
John Lisbon, Whitman Houses
I make short films and do photography. When I was a child, my dad wanted to capture memories of his family, so he bought a Super 8 projector. I used to watch him edit the film using a splicer. As I got older, video camcorders came out. I saved my money and bought one. I had no professional training at the time. I used to take videos of my brothers and my family at gatherings. Later on, Brooklyn Community Access Television (now BRIC) was offering classes, and I took those to start learning about film and film production.
I got into photography later because I liked how one picture could tell a story. There’s a lot about photography and film that are similar, so it was an easy transition. I never took any formal classes; I taught myself through YouTube and other things. I still make short films; I do work for community-based organizations working to improve people’s lives. A lot of times, the films I make for them help them acquire grants and funding. I’ve been blessed to be able to travel with some of these organizations to different parts of the world, such as Switzerland, Mali, and Cuba, to document the work they do.
I feel like it’s everyone’s responsibility to document history in some way. For me that’s visually. I look back at some of the work I did and I think, “Who would know about this had I not taken this picture, had I not shot this footage?” I’m most proud of two pieces I did at NYCHA: one on some of the gardeners in the Gardening and Greening program and a Smoke-Free NYCHA piece about employees who quit smoking. They were really impactful and helpful to the broader community.
There are several photographers and filmmakers I’m inspired by: Gordon Parks, Roy DeCarava, and Chester Higgins Jr. Additionally, Anthony Barboza is an inspiration to me, he’s an amazing photographer.
Margareth Massac, Oceanside Resident Council President
I have a history of writing poems and short stories. I’m currently working on writing a short story. I noticed my ability to write poems and stories when I was a teenager. I first started creative writing through school assignments. I love my African-American artists, but none of them inspired me to write. I believe my gift and most of the ideas I wrote about come from God Himself. I have one poem I am really proud of. I am proud of the short story I am currently working on.