New Parks Commissioner has strong Brooklyn ties

Written by

Share this:

CITYWIDE — MAYOR ERIC ADAMS ON MONDAY, JUNE 2 APPOINTED IRIS RODRIGUEZ-ROSA AS COMMISSIONER of the city Department of Parks & Recreation, making her the first Latina to hold this position.

Commissioner Rodriguez-Rosa is a Parks veteran of nearly four decades, serving in different roles throughout the department since 1986. Most recently, she was first deputy commissioner, where she oversaw the city’s lifeguards and helped rebuild the workforce despite national lifeguard shortages. Before that, in June 2015, she was appointed to serve as the Bronx Borough Parks Commissioner, where her accomplishments included pushing for the Ocean Beach Pavilion and helping complete countless playground renovations.

Rodriguez-Rosa has strong Brooklyn ties from early in her career when, during the 1970s, she organized tenants and the community in Williamsburg, under the Federal Comprehensive Employment and Training Act program. She then joined public service as a community board liaison for then-Brooklyn Borough President Howard Golden. In 1979, she became the district manager for Community Board 4 in Bushwick.

Mayor Adams made the announcement during a ribbon-cutting for two newly-renovated playgrounds in Crown Heights.

✰✰✰

Hon. Jeffrey Sunshine casts a light on Matrimonial Practice at recent Brooklyn CLE

Written by

Share this:

DYKER HEIGHTS — Matrimonial practice, a multifaceted area of law that deals with matters related to marriage, divorce, separation, equitable distribution, child custody and other related issues, was the focal point of conversation at a recent Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program.

Orchestrated by Hon. Jeffrey Sunshine, Statewide Coordinating Judge for Matrimonial Matters, and held at Mama Rao’s May 28, Sunshine discussed “The Process of Matrimonial Practice.” 

“My goal today is to simply give an introduction to matrimonial law for lawyers who may not practice it in the field every day,” Sunshine told the Brooklyn Eagle. “When I went to a recent lecture on Surrogate’s Court, I learned a lot about an area where I have a limited amount of knowledge. And so I thought, why not do the same thing for the Bay Ridge Lawyers?”  

Brian Chin, left, alongside Hon. Alexis Riley. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
Brian Chin, left, alongside Hon. Alexis Riley. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
Hon. Jeffrey Sunshine addressing the audience. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
Hon. Jeffrey Sunshine addressing the audience. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
Hon. Mark Partnow, left, alongside Joe Bova. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
Hon. Mark Partnow, left, alongside Joe Bova. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
Ray Ferrer, Esq., center, alongside guests. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
Ray Ferrer, Esq., center, alongside guests. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
Hon. John Ingram alongside Hon. Alexis Riley. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
Hon. John Ingram alongside Hon. Alexis Riley. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
Hon. Jeffrey Sunshine, Statewide Coordinating Judge for Matrimonial Matters. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
Hon. Jeffrey Sunshine, Statewide Coordinating Judge for Matrimonial Matters. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
Hon. Nancy Sunshine alongside Hon. Jeffrey Sunshine. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
Hon. Nancy Sunshine alongside Hon. Jeffrey Sunshine. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
Hon. Vincent Del Giudice, left, alongside Mario Romano. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
Hon. Vincent Del Giudice, left, alongside Mario Romano. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
From left: Bay Ridge Lawyers President Mario Romano, Hon. John Ingram and Hon. Brian Gottlieb. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
From left: Bay Ridge Lawyers President Mario Romano, Hon. John Ingram and Hon. Brian Gottlieb. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
Dominic Famulari, Esq., left, alongside William Neri, Esq. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
Dominic Famulari, Esq., left, alongside William Neri, Esq. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
From left: Hon. Mark Partnow; Michael Benjamin, Esq.; and Ray Ferrer, Esq. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
From left: Hon. Mark Partnow; Michael Benjamin, Esq.; and Ray Ferrer, Esq. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
Adam Kalish, Esq., left, alongside Dominic Famulari, Esq. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
Adam Kalish, Esq., left, alongside Dominic Famulari, Esq. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
Brian Chin, far right, and guests. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
Brian Chin, far right, and guests. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
John Famulari, Esq. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
John Famulari, Esq. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
William Neri, Esq. and his wife, Maria Neri, Esq. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo
William Neri, Esq. and his wife, Maria Neri, Esq. Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo

Having a certain degree of proficiency  

Sunshine pointed out that knowledge of matrimonial law is important because if one plans on representing a litigant in a matrimonial action, they need to have a certain degree of proficiency in that area.

“It behooves the lawyer to meet that professional responsibility,” he noted. “Quite frankly, it makes the judicial process go quicker, right? And if I can encourage more people to practice matrimonial law, why not?”

The main points addressed at the CLE were the importance of “The Affidavit of Net Worth,” a legal document that provides a detailed overview of an individual’s financial situation, including their assets, liabilities, income and expenses; “Preliminary Conference,” the initial court appearance after a divorce is filed; and “The Right to Seek Confidentiality Orders.”

In New York, parties in matrimonial proceedings — including divorce, separation, and annulment — can seek confidentiality orders to protect their addresses or other identifying information from disclosure to the opposing party. Incidentally, a court may grant such an order if it finds that revealing this information would pose a significant risk to the party’s health or safety.

IMG_0569-Matrimonial Practice CLE-06022025
IMG_0533-Matrimonial Practice CLE-06022025
IMG_0530-Matrimonial Practice CLE-06022025
IMG_0555-Matrimonial Practice CLE-06022025
IMG_0566-Matrimonial Practice CLE-06022025
IMG_0576-Matrimonial Practice CLE-06022025
IMG_0542-Matrimonial Practice CLE-06022025
IMG_0528-Matrimonial Practice CLE-06022025
IMG_0574-Matrimonial Practice CLE-06022025
IMG_0591-Matrimonial Practice CLE-06022025
IMG_0531-Matrimonial Practice CLE-06022025
IMG_0534-Matrimonial Practice CLE-06022025
IMG_0568-Matrimonial Practice CLE-06022025
IMG_0588-Matrimonial Practice CLE-06022025
IMG_0537-Matrimonial Practice CLE-06022025

Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Mario Belluomo

Encouraging more lawyers 

Sunshine also spoke to some misunderstood aspects of matrimonial law.

“People need to understand that there is a Child Support Standards Act, the New York State law that sets guidelines for determining the amount of child support owed, and if you’re going to deviate from that, as some do, you have to explain why, as the court has to approve the deviation in child support. 

“That’s why matrimonial mediation — a process where couples who are experiencing marital difficulties meet with a neutral mediator to attempt to resolve their issues and, if possible, prevent a divorce — is so important. People who mediate their disputes have far better outcomes overall,” Sunshine underlined. 

As for the challenges of being a matrimonial judge, Sunshine explained that they often do not have enough assigned counsel. 

“We don’t have enough attorneys for children,” he said. “We don’t have resources for supervised visitation programs, so there are long wait lists for supervised visitors. Those are all issues that affect the operation of the court and access to justice.” 

Sunshine noted that this can be remedied by encouraging more lawyers to join the panels. 

Sunshine’s judicial career includes serving as a Kings County Family Court Judge (1998-2001), Acting Justice of the Richmond County Supreme Court (2001-2003) and Kings County Supreme Court Acting Supreme Court Justice (2003-2010).

He was elected as a Supreme Court Justice in 2011 and continues to serve in this role. 

In his role as Coordinating Judge, he regularly meets with various stakeholders to discuss matrimonial law, rules, procedures and court operations.

Sunshine graduated summa cum laude from Brooklyn College in 1977 and earned his Juris Doctor from Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University in 1980.

Council: Adams must fund lot cleanup to win rat war

Written by

Share this:

CITYWIDE – A BIPARTISAN GROUP of 30 City Councilmembers signed a letter to Mayor Eric Adams last week, criticizing the mayor for what the group described as inadequate funding for the Sanitation Department’s vacant lot trash cleanup efforts.

According to lead writer Councilmember Joann Ariola, the department employs just 10 workers to remove garbage from empty spaces citywide, resulting in a division that has a current “backlog of more than 1,700 lots and no longer cleans medians.” In 2019, the department had 108 workers assigned to those duties. A budget increase this year would increase staffing to 15 workers, but the letter’s signers argue this is not enough, and demand an extra $2.6 million in funding.

Councilmembers say they have been forced to use their districts’ discretionary funds for cleanup of the garbage-strewn lots, which are havens for rats and other pests.

✰✰✰

✰PREMIUM
What They’re Saying: live arts in Brooklyn this week, June 2

Written by

Share this:

The 15th Annual Art of Brooklyn Film Festival

Film, Community, Festivals

Stuart Cinema, 79 West St, Greenpoint & other locations

June 1 to June 13

Instagram will load in the frontend.

The Art of Brooklyn Film Festival returns this week to celebrate its 15th anniversary with 55 new films from local and international filmmakers. This year’s lineup features stars including Beverly D’Angelo, Keith David, Kathryn Erbe, Eric Roberts and Jefferson White.

The world premiere of “Drink and Be Merry” will open the festival. Directed by Adam Volerich, the feature follows a jaded bartender (White) trying to keep the Christmas spirit alive at a failing New York dive bar. The festival offers in-person screenings across the borough and encore streaming nationwide. Venues include Stuart Cinema, 100 Sutton, Film Noir Cinema, AbelCine and the Tom Kane Theater at Industry City.

“‘Locally Sourced’ is a block of shorts from Brooklyn filmmakers about to break big. AoBFF and Sundance alum Carlos Cardona’s autobiographical ‘Born to Lose’, about a Latino punk rocker struggling to fit in the Hamptons, Jeremiah Kipp’s ‘Don’t Pick Up’ about a shoplifter unexpectedly attracted to a bookstore clerk stars Kathryn Erbe (Law and Order: Criminal Intent, Stir of Echoes) and Keith David (Platoon, Requiem for a Dream, Cloud Atlas).” — WRAL News

“The uproarious mockumentary ‘Unfriendly Fire’ is set In an alternate reality where America grapples with the consequences of a divisive war over escalating issues surrounding reproductive rights. Richard Tucci’s film stars Golden Globe nominee Beverly D’Angelo (‘National Lampoon’s Vacation,’ ‘Coal Miners Daughter’) Oscar nominee Eric Roberts (‘Star 80,’ ‘Runaway Train’) and comedy legend Debra Wilson (‘Mad TV,’ ‘Girl 6’). Q&A with the filmmaker after the screening.” — Anthony DeVito, Art of Brooklyn Film Festival, Patch.com

Child’s Play NY Presents: Hamlet

Theatre, Kids, Community

First Unitarian Congregation Society, 121 Pierrepont St, Brooklyn Heights

Tuesday, June 3 @ 5:30 p.m.

Instagram will load in the frontend.

A cast of middle schoolers from Child’s Play NY will take the stage this Tuesday in an adaptation of Shakespeare’s epic tragedy, “Hamlet.” The production follows the young prince of Denmark as he seeks revenge for his father’s murder — complete with duels, ghostly visitations and unraveling relationships. 

Students will perform in the play as part of Child’s Play NY’s mission to foster empathy, curiosity and creative expression in young performers. Tickets are available for a suggested $5 donation, with proceeds supporting the group’s summer camp scholarship fund.

“Child’s Play NY is a Brooklyn-based company founded in 2009, committed to offering a diverse array of theater arts classes for children. Since their inception, Child’s Play NY has touched the lives of thousands of students, worked inside dozens of schools and is consistently ranked as among the top theater arts programs.” — Mommy Poppins

“Hamlet is Shakespeare’s most popular, and most puzzling, play. It follows the form of a “revenge tragedy,” in which the hero, Hamlet, seeks vengeance against his father’s murderer, his uncle Claudius, now the king of Denmark. Much of its fascination, however, lies in its uncertainties. Among them: What is the Ghost — Hamlet’s father demanding justice, a tempting demon, an angelic messenger? Does Hamlet go mad, or merely pretend to?” — Folger Shakespeare Library

Zemlinsky’s Room & Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater @ BAM

Opera, Dance, Theatre, Ballet

BAM Fisher & Peter Jay Sharp Building, Brooklyn Academy of Music, 30 Lafayette Ave, Fort Greene

Thursday, June 5 through Sunday, June 8

Instagram will load in the frontend.

Two standout performances arrive at BAM this week, showcasing the power of dance and opera. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns with a new program featuring a world premiere by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, created in collaboration with dancers Samantha Figgins and Chalvar Monteiro. Zollar, recently honored for four decades leading Urban Bush Women, has been named AILEY’s 2025 Artist in Residence.

Meanwhile, The Little OPERA Theatre of NY debuts Zemlinsky’s Room, a chamber opera in three acts featuring Alexander Zemlinsky’s “A Florentine Tragedy” — a tale of passion and betrayal based on a play by Oscar Wilde. The production includes newly arranged orchestrations and poems by Richard Dehmel and Ferdinand Gregorovius, with Mary-Hollis Hundley, Michael Boley and Eric McKeever among the featured performers. 

“This year’s performance is rich with meaning and steeped in history, a celebration of the troupe — in the midst of a moment following the adored, brilliant “Edges of Ailey” exhibit at the Whitney earlier this year — and of BAM, and the cross-pollination between these two institutions that have been in conversation with one another over the course of seven decades. … [T]he headliner is ‘The Holy Blues,’ a world premiere and Zollar’s inaugural act as the 2025/26 Ailey Company artist-in-residence.” — Abe Beame, Brooklyn Magazine

“Alexander Zemlinsky, who composed several of the most subtly entrancing operas of the early twentieth century, embodied the cosmopolitan chaos of the old Austrian Empire … His mature works draw, variously, on Charles Baudelaire, Oscar Wilde, Rabindranath Tagore, and Langston Hughes. To what nation or tradition does such a polymorphous figure belong? A sorcerer of orchestration, Zemlinsky wrote music that glimmers ambiguously in the air, and his life seemed to do the same.” — Alex Ross, The New Yorker

Pride Panel: Celebrating Queer YA Stories @ Books are Magic

Books, Literature, Discussions, Pride Month

Books Are Magic Montague, 122 Montague Street, Brooklyn Heights

Friday, June 6 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Instagram will load in the frontend.

Books Are Magic kicks off Pride Month with an in-store panel celebrating queer voices in young adult literature. The event features authors Carlyn Greenwald (“Murder Land”), Christina Li (“True Love & Other Impossible Odds”), Page Powars (“And They Were Roommates”), and Joelle Wellington (“The Blonde Dies First”), who will discuss their latest works and the importance of queer representation in YA and New Adult fiction. 

A signing will follow the conversation, and books will be available for purchase. Tickets are required to attend in person and all proceeds will benefit the Sylvia Rivera Law Project. Tickets are free, but a $10 donation is encouraged. The event will also be live-streamed on YouTube.

“Books Are Magic, the beloved indie bookstore nestled on the corner of Smith and Butler streets in Cobble Hill is opening a second location in Brooklyn Heights …Over the last six years, the business has become a fixture in the neighborhood, hosting events for the borough’s smallest bookworms and signings for authors from near and far and standing firm in an era where independent bookstores are struggling to thrive.” — Kirstyn Brendlen, Brooklyn Paper

“Carlyn Greenwald’s ‘Murder Land’ transforms the magical world of theme parks into a nightmare landscape where corporate greed meets deadly consequences. This standalone YA thriller marks a bold departure from Greenwald’s previous romantic works like Sizzle Reel and Director’s Cut, showcasing her versatility as she ventures into the darker corners of young adult fiction with remarkable success.” — The Bookish Elf, Goodreads

Yes Chef Food Fest

Food, Culture, Festivals, Community

25 Noble St, Greenpoint

Saturday, June 7 to Sunday, June 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Instagram will load in the frontend.

Feeling hungry? The Yes Chef Food Fest, presented by Wonder, is back with a new waterfront home in Greenpoint and an even bigger, more delicious lineup. Now in its second year, the popular event moves to a 40,000-square-foot venue at 25 Noble Street and is expected to draw more than 10,000 attendees over two days.

This year’s festival features over 30 of New York City’s most buzzed-about restaurants, exclusive dishes and live culinary performances, including a 300-pound bluefin tuna breakdown from Sushi by Bou, a massive polenta pour with Chef Christian Petroni, and interactive cheese wheel demos from BelGioioso. Free samples will be available following most onstage events. VIP and open bar tickets are available.

“This two-day food festival will be held at the iconic Skyline Drive-In Lot, located at 25 Noble Street in Greenpoint. Visitors will enjoy stunning views of the Manhattan skyline while sampling unique, custom dishes from over 30 renowned NYC restaurants. This is an event that food enthusiasts cannot afford to miss!” — Ben Mitchell, PIX11

“BelGioioso and Polly-O have earned top honors during the 2025 U.S. Championship Cheese Contest Judging, with several of their cheeses receiving notable accolades. BelGioioso’s new Marinated Fresh Mozzarella with Fresh Basil and Garlic was awarded a 1st place in category and a top 20 finish overall. BelGioioso Sharp Provolone Mandarino received 1st place in the Aged Provolone category, and continues to hold this prominent position year after year.” — Deli Market News

Monday is last day for NYC homeowners to avoid tax lien sale

Written by

Share this:

CITYWIDE — MORE THAN 11,000 Brooklyn homes are at risk in the city’s 2025 tax lien sale, resumed after a pause since 2021, the city’s Department of Finance warns.  The sale transfers unpaid property debts, like taxes, sewer and water bills, to private entities who might initiate foreclosures. Homeowners have just until Monday, June 2 to act via NYC’s Property Tax Lien Sale website or by calling 311 — the sale starts Tuesday.

Look up your address: The city’s lien list includes thousands of homes across every neighborhood in Brooklyn.

✰✰✰

Bloods gang leader convicted of narcotics distribution resulting in three overdoses

Written by

Share this:

A federal jury on Tuesday in Central Islip convicted Gary Johnson, a Bloods gang leader, on 22 counts of a second superseding indictment charging him with narcotics distribution, including distribution that resulted in three non-fatal overdoses, as well as a firearms-related crime. The verdict followed a four-week trial before United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack. When sentenced, Johnson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and up to life in prison.

United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Joseph Nocella Jr., FBI New York Field Office Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia and Suffolk County Police Department Commissioner Kevin Catalina announced the verdict.

“Johnson peddled his potentially lethal drugs across Long Island while lining his pockets with profits, causing life-threatening injuries to several members of our community in the process,” stated Nocella. “This Office, along with our law enforcement partners, remains committed to finding, arresting and prosecuting the drug traffickers and gang members who seek to profit from the ongoing opioid crisis and stopping all of the devastating effects these narcotics have brought with them.”

“For years, Gary Johnson, a Bloods gang leader, carelessly supplied potentially lethal quantities of heroin and fentanyl to turn a profit,” Raia added. “By distributing highly addictive narcotics, Johnson demonstrated a disregard for communal health and endangered countless residents, even causing three individuals to overdose. With the assistance of our law enforcement partners, the FBI will never cease its mission to disrupt all criminal enterprises poisoning our communities with dangerous drugs.”

“While nothing can take away the suffering of those who experienced life-threatening impacts caused by Johnson’s greed, let this sentence bring some solace that his crimes will not go unpunished,” Catalina remarked. “We will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to ensure narcotics trafficking is ceased.”

As proven at trial and set forth in court filings, between June 2013 and November 2020, Johnson, a leader in the G-Shine set of the Bloods based in Suffolk County, sold fentanyl, cocaine and heroin throughout Long Island. The drugs the defendant sold resulted in multiple victims experiencing overdoses, including three in March and May 2020. The jury returned a verdict convicting Johnson of multiple counts of distributing heroin, cocaine and/or fentanyl. In connection with the overdoses, Johnson was convicted of three counts of narcotics distribution, resulting in serious bodily injury.

Johnson was also convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm. This charge arose from evidence recovered from Johnson’s residence when law enforcement executed a search warrant and recovered a semi-automatic firearm. 

The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Long Island Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Meredith A. Arfa, Stephen Petraeus and Mark E. Misorek are in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Dejah Turla, Rebecca Roth and Adam Bernard, as well as Victim Witness Specialist Stephanie Marroquin.

Aide to Rep. Nadler handcuffed by DHS over immigration protest

Written by

Share this:

MANHATTAN – AN AIDE TO U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler was handcuffed by officers from the Department of Homeland Security on Saturday, after allegedly attempting to physically stop the officers from entering Nadler’s Manhattan office, reports Gothamist.

A video of the incident appears to show DHS accusing Nadler’s staffers of “harboring rioters” and resisting, and then entering non-public areas of the office, which shares a building with an immigration courthouse. The handcuffed staffer was reportedly quickly released afterwards; she told Gothamist that the situation had “resolved” and did not offer further comment.

The confrontation reportedly began when staff members invited constituent protesters into the office, after Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers threatened to arrest them for loitering outside the court, where they had been attempting to advise migrants of their legal rights. 23 protesters were later that day arrested outside the building while allegedly blocking ICE vans from leaving.

“While no arrests were made and the situation was quickly deescalated, I am alarmed by the aggressive and heavy-handed tactics DHS is employing in New York City and across the country. The decision to enter a congressional office and detain a staff member demonstrates a deeply troubling disregard for proper legal boundaries,” Nadler wrote in a statement on X.

✰✰✰

Teen killed in Bed-Stuy

Written by

Share this:

BED-STUY – POLICE SAY THAT at around 2:30 a.m. on Monday, May 26, officers responding to a 911 call near the Sumner Houses discovered an 18-year-old with a gunshot wound to the head, across the street on Myrtle Avenue. The victim, identified as Jeremiah Griffiths, of Marine Park, was rushed to Kings County Hospital in critical condition, but succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday, May 28.

Surveillance video of the moment of the shooting shows a white or light-colored car pulling alongside Jeremiah as he walks down Myrtle Avenue, before he crumples to the ground, and the car speeds away.

There are no arrests and the investigation remains ongoing, police said. Anyone with tips or information is encouraged to contact the NYPD at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782); or at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X @NYPDTips.

“It’s not safe for any of us. That could have been my brother, that could have been my cousin. It’s really heartbreaking. I just hope they start cracking down on it more because we can keep protesting, we can keep doing interviews, but nothing is being done in the end,” one area resident told News 12; others worried that the summer months could bring an increase of violence.

✰✰✰

✰PREMIUM
Liberty, BPL collaborate to offer library cards, hosts event to celebrate reading

Written by

Share this:

BOROUGHWIDE — It’s a slam dunk team-up: The defending WNBA Champion New York Liberty and Brooklyn Public Library are collaborating to issue 100,000 special edition library cards featuring the team’s mascot, Ellie the Elephant, starting June 2.

The Liberty and BPL will partner through Brooklyn Basketball to support the library’s summer reading programming. 

Brooklyn Basketball is the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty’s platform dedicated to nurturing young basketball players and enthusiasts by providing professionally led clinics and camps, community-focused events, instructional videos, unique basketball content and more. 

Two-time WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart promoting the new Brooklyn Public Library card. Photo courtesy of New York Liberty
Two-time WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart promoting the new Brooklyn Public Library card. Photo courtesy of New York Liberty

“Brooklyn Public Library is thrilled to partner with the 2024 WNBA Champions New York Liberty, their mascot Ellie the Elephant, and Brooklyn Basketball,” said a BPL spokesperson. “Together, we share a passion for this great borough and look forward to welcoming new card holders to the library this summer to read and learn and discover.”

They will also celebrate Ellie’s birthday at the Liberty game against the Connecticut Sun on June 1 at Barclays Center. 

During the game, the arena will host book-themed activities, such as a BPL bookmobile on the plaza and a photobooth where fans can pick up Ellie-themed bookmarks that have a QR code linking to an Ellie-approved reading list for readers of all ages. 

Her list includes titles like “Lola Joins the Team” by Keka Novales, “Remember Us” by Jacqueline Woodson, and “Elephants Living Large” by Jason Viola.

WNBA All-Star Sabrina Ionescu with a giant Brooklyn Public Library card celebrating the Liberty’s championship. Photo courtesy of New York Liberty
WNBA All-Star Sabrina Ionescu with a giant Brooklyn Public Library card celebrating the Liberty’s championship. Photo courtesy of New York Liberty

Then on June 11, Liberty CEO Keia Clarke will be given the 2025 Brooklyn Public Library Gala Award on behalf of the team. 

The Gala is BPL’s signature fundraising event, bringing together civic leaders, authors, artists and library supporters to celebrate the power of libraries to strengthen communities.

Last year, the BPL offered over 5,000 free summer programs to encourage reading. For more information on getting a library card or to see Ellie’s reading list, visit the website.