Interview with Brooklyn Navy Yard, Exhibits & Programs Team
Interviewed By: Johanna Contreras
As many of you know, The Brooklyn Navy Yard has been an essential partner to Brooklyn Book Bodega since 2020, providing space to store our books and host community events. We interviewed Carli Beseau (Vice President) and Kina Bowen (Program Assistant) from the Exhibits and Programs team at the Brooklyn Navy Yard to discuss the beginnings of our partnership and how Brooklyn Book Bodega and the Yard support each other.
How did you initially get connected to Brooklyn Book Bodega?
Kina: Initially our special events manager introduced me to Seema and explained that they were a nonprofit looking to host an event here at the Yard. Because I am the Program Assistant, and I deal mostly with school and family, she thought it would be good for us to meet and help facilitate the event. We put on our first event in January of 2020. It was absolutely wonderful and gorgeous. I did not know of Brooklyn Book Bodega prior to that. Getting the opportunity to connect and learn about their mission and what they’re trying to do, I was really on board with that. I, too, have a little boy, and he was 8 at the time; it was really a great way for me to get him here and take part in this wonderful event.
We did the first event in January and then we had more scheduled for February and March. Unfortunately, COVID happened, so we ended up canceling the very last one in March just a few days before NYC imposed the COVID protocols.
Carli: We knew we wanted to do more family programs, and so when Seema reached out, it was perfect timing. We want to explore more ways to get younger audiences up to the Yard. It can be intimidating – gray buildings, fences. The event was really fun and it was also during the winter months when we don’t do a lot of programming, so it filled a gap for us. It also allowed us to work with an emerging organization that was interested in reaching a bigger audience. For us, family programs are all about creating a space where everybody feels welcome. Brooklyn Book Bodega’s events are perfect because it was providing this great resource in a really friendly, fun environment. It was a win-win.
Can you describe the partnership you have with Brooklyn Book Bodega?
Carli: As Kina said, we had to cancel the March event just a few days before the City went on lockdown. We also had to cancel all of our programs. But what we did have was space. So it was very easy to say, Sure the books you have been gathering, you can just keep here, we’ll figure it out. Then about a month into the lockdown, it became apparent we weren’t going anywhere any time soon. So we were able to provide Brooklyn Book Bodega with space to continue to receive donations. Because they had a space, they were able to continue giving out books in the middle of a pandemic. When you think about being locked at home, kids don’t have access to things, parents don’t have access to things. So, simply by providing Brooklyn Book Bodega the space, we were able to maintain meaningful partnerships and help the community, even though we couldn’t have programs.
A lot of people forget that we are also a nonprofit. We are dedicated to creating a place where manufacturers, light industry, and makers of all types can know that their businesses can grow and thrive. We have workforce development programs, programs for businesses, and cultural programs. It’s rooted in people and an appreciation for innovation. So it felt really good for us to be a key component of the work that Brooklyn Book Bodega is doing.
Eventually, Brooklyn Book Bodega grew too big for the initial space. But we wanted to help you continue to grow because Brooklyn Book Bodega has really shown up for us and is doing great work in the community. So we moved you into a bigger temporary space where you are now, and hopefully, you’ll continue to stay at the Yard and grow at the Yard. Creating that space for us was a way to say – us nonprofits, we’re all in this together. We did it for other nonprofits as well. There were a lot of nonprofits who needed space to be able to fight COVID on all fronts, not just the first responders. We also produced over 10,000,000 pieces of PPE. Our activities really shifted a lot, but we feel really good that through giving people a safe space to work and store their goods, we could help the broader good in New York during the pandemic and beyond.
What do you think is special about Brooklyn Book Bodega as an organization?
Kina: For me, just the fact that they’re offering books free to people, to kids, to families. One of the beautiful things I’ve encountered when we’ve done programs is when people find out that they can take home up to 10 books per person in the family. So if it’s a family of 5, you can walk away with 50 books! You have a library for the family right there, and that’s a beautiful thing. During the pandemic, the public library suspended late fees because they didn’t want people to have any barriers in getting books. I know how it’s been for Seema because throughout 2020, I was helping her to get volunteers into the Yard, so they could get books out. Even if they weren’t able to physically have an event, they were still providing books, which was such a major, major contribution. And I just watched them grow, and I’ve seen Seema and Rebecca both give so much of their time and their energy to make Brooklyn Book Bodega what it is today. I think as long as they stay on that path, they are definitely going to grow and continue doing the great work that they do.
Carli: What’s nice about having Brooklyn Book Bodega on site is that you all are as passionate about connecting with people as we are. Also, having enjoyable relationships is really underrated. Working with Brooklyn Book Bodega and feeling their genuine energy and kindness has been enjoyable. Finally, what I like about Brooklyn Book Bodega is it’s not just focused on young kids, it’s 0 to 18. It really is a family affair. Starting my career as a classroom teacher, I know that literacy is at the root of kids being inspired to learn and to grow. If you struggle with reading and spelling, it can be really hard in school. I appreciate any program that really encourages parents and kids of all ages to be curious and get involved. I definitely appreciate the well-rounded family approach that you all take.
Do you have any advice for Brooklyn Book Bodega as they continue to grow?
Kina: They should keep doing what they’re doing. It’s obvious that they are connecting and reaching people. People know about Brooklyn Book Bodega and know what they have to offer. From a partnership standpoint, and as a parent as well, it’s just beautiful to have people thinking about how we can grow our kids’ reading. They get so lost in the electronics. Being able to take a break and have books at home so that you don’t have to go anywhere, it’s incredible.
Carli: On the business side – So many people have passion, and nonprofits are started from these amazing places. But sometimes people lose sight of the community need – Are you really providing what the community needs? Are you paying attention and connecting? Brooklyn Book Bodega is so great at that. They are rooted in people, and that’s really important to keep that up.
But then there’s also the basics of business – do you have a consistent brand? Are you showing up consistently? Are you following up with people? Are you having events? Are you saying thank you? I think they’re good at all of that. My advice here is – you have something that’s really nice and it’s easy to understand: You can donate books, you can take books. There’s a beauty in that. Sometimes people get a little overly complicated. But just be consistent and genuine, and no matter what, just keep on being adaptive. Those families who are coming to pick up books, they might be the Principal or Vice President of a school. You never know the connection you’re going to make, so you just have to be responsive and just keep on showing up. Which they’re already doing, so my advice is just to keep on doing that! Keep the passion hat on, and keep the business hat on, too.