The reason for this location? It is the home of The Afrikan Poetry Theatre, a Non Profit Cultural Arts and Community Center founded 39 years a go by John W. Branch. Nov. 5th is acknowledged by The City of NY and the Borough of Queens as The Afrikan Poetry Theatre Day. Help us celebrate the life of one of Queens Finest.
Updates
February 12, 2015
The backing for this renaming has reached a level that necessitates immediate formal action. I am now preparing the paperwork submission for the local community board to ensure our request is on the agenda for their next session.
24 Comments
It's an honor to support such an honor to my brother and comrade in the rise of our people. It was this brother that facilitated my appetite for knowledge through the Afrikan Poetry Theatre as a teenager into adulthood.
I'm happy to sign this petition. Bro.Branch was always consistent in his commitment to African culture. He deserves to have the street named for him.
Brother John Watusi Branch is most deserving of this street being named after him. He was a upstanding community leader that touched, educated and uplifted the lives of so many people in the community it would be a travesty not to pay hommage or tribute to his lifes work by not naming 176st after him.
Along a road of racial opposition, the Black Arts Movement traveled. Brother John Watusi Branch was one of the great directors who guided us towards our destination, a place replete with dignity and empowerment. Since his death, we have been forced to navigate a problematic path. Nevertheless, our respectful memories of him will serve as a compass.
John was a man who loved and cared about people.For decades he provided information, entertainment and guidance for thousands.
An honor to participate in this important endeavor to hnor Brother Branch....Akua
I most definetely would love to see this happen. He earned it....he deserves it!!
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The reason for this location? It is the home of The Afrikan Poetry Theatre, a Non Profit Cultural Arts and Community Center founded 39 years a go by John W. Branch. Nov. 5th is acknowledged by The City of NY and the Borough of Queens as The Afrikan Poetry Theatre Day. Help us celebrate the life of one of Queens Finest.
Updates
February 12, 2015
The backing for this renaming has reached a level that necessitates immediate formal action. I am now preparing the paperwork submission for the local community board to ensure our request is on the agenda for their next session.
24 Comments
The Afrikan Poetry Theatre was a safe haven for African American youth, coming of age in Jamaica Queens, in the late 70's & 80's. I sign this petition with reverence and gratitude for it's impact on my life, and countless others. It keep us out of trouble, reinforcing the importance that culture and history has within our community. I pay homage to it's founder and community leader. And pray that 176th St gets renamed, "John Watusi Branch Way" in his honor.
It's an honor to support such an honor to my brother and comrade in the rise of our people. It was this brother that facilitated my appetite for knowledge through the Afrikan Poetry Theatre as a teenager into adulthood.
I'm happy to sign this petition. Bro.Branch was always consistent in his commitment to African culture. He deserves to have the street named for him.
Brother John Watusi Branch is most deserving of this street being named after him. He was a upstanding community leader that touched, educated and uplifted the lives of so many people in the community it would be a travesty not to pay hommage or tribute to his lifes work by not naming 176st after him.
Along a road of racial opposition, the Black Arts Movement traveled. Brother John Watusi Branch was one of the great directors who guided us towards our destination, a place replete with dignity and empowerment. Since his death, we have been forced to navigate a problematic path. Nevertheless, our respectful memories of him will serve as a compass.
John was a man who loved and cared about people.For decades he provided information, entertainment and guidance for thousands.
An honor to participate in this important endeavor to hnor Brother Branch....Akua
I most definetely would love to see this happen. He earned it....he deserves it!!
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The Afrikan Poetry Theatre was a safe haven for African American youth, coming of age in Jamaica Queens, in the late 70's & 80's. I sign this petition with reverence and gratitude for it's impact on my life, and countless others. It keep us out of trouble, reinforcing the importance that culture and history has within our community. I pay homage to it's founder and community leader. And pray that 176th St gets renamed, "John Watusi Branch Way" in his honor.