Naming of 176th St. and Jamaica Ave. John Watusi Branch Way
24 Comments
D
Deborah Warden
10 years ago
An honor to participate in this important endeavor to hnor Brother Branch....Akua
C
Cooley High
11 years ago
Featured
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.
B
BRIAN E. MUHAMMAD
11 years ago
Featured
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.
L
Louise Galloway
11 years ago
Featured
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.
D
Dymitra Etienne
11 years ago
Featured
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.
S
Sophia Walsh-Newman
11 years ago
I most definetely would love to see this happen. He earned it....he deserves it!!
O
Omar L.Branch
11 years ago
Big Unc adored his community and this would be a great honor. Can't wait until it happens!
C
Colette Carter
11 years ago
A man who loved his community and loyal to the community! Never enough hours in a day for the work he did!
M
millie james
11 years ago
The Center has always been a cultural aspiration, a cultural university powerhouse .
R
Rev Shamba S Elijah
11 years ago
I wasn't aware Br a John Watusi made transition , rest from his labor, sleep in eternal peace til called again from the grave, in hope of the resurrection ! Prayer and blessings to his family and frirnds
G
Gary Johnston
11 years ago
well deserved.
U
Ursula Grinage
11 years ago
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
D
DEBORAHLYN COLE
11 years ago
"...From The Dayz of My Parentz & I, Driving by 'The Afrikan Poetry Theatre' & Reading, Who'z Performing...To Becoming Friendz/Family with Akili Walker, Who Introduced Me to Saiku...My Connection to 'Baba John', Wuz Unfortunately during the Latter stint of Hiz Illness, the Dimize...The Multi-Directional Influx of Love, Pure Respect & Committed Support, wuz Wonderfully Overwhelming...'John Watusi Branch', Had Created a Comfortable Atmosphere, Home, Bonded Family, Comprized of Beautiful Generationz, with Like Vibez, Beliefz & Home Grown Knowledge...Heritage, Music, Artz...'AFRIKAN AWARENESS, PRIDE & THEIR SIGNIFICANCE, IN OUR LIVEZ TODAY!...The TRAILBLAZING WIZDOM & PASSIONZ, to TEACH, MEND & MESH TOGETHER A COMMUNITY...LOYAL, LEARNED, LOVED ONEZ...BLOOD & OTHERWIZE RELATED, LIKE MINDED SOULZ...SOLID FOUNDATION, WELCOMING ALL...THE STREET NAMED AFTER, 'BABA JOHN WATUSI BRANCH', WOULD ALLOW THE COMMUNITY MEMBERZ, THE GIFT OF LOOKING 'UPWARD', AZ THEY 'LOOKED UP' TO THIS VERY FINE & IMPORTANT MAN, WHO SPENT THE BETTER PART OF HIZ LIFE, CONTRIBUTING TIME, PATIENCE, WILL OF HEART...TO HIZ 'GLOBAL FAMILY'..."
L
Lydia Elizabeth
11 years ago
well deserved!
B
Bob McNeil
11 years ago
Featured
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.
R
robert hill
11 years ago
Featured
John was a man who loved and cared about people.For decades he provided information, entertainment and guidance for thousands.
D
daniel simmons
11 years ago
great man who made a difference in my life and many othersd m
A
Adofo Illustrations
11 years ago
yahmeen!
R
Ruth BrANCH hARBIN
11 years ago
i TRULY BELIEVE THIS IS INDEED A SPECIAL TRIBUT TO MY BROTHER FOR HIS DEDICATION TO THE aFRIKAN pOETRY tHEATRE FOR MANY YEARS...tHANK YOU i FAMILY WILL INDEED BE GRATEFUL
M
Maisha Ongoza
11 years ago
May the good John left, last forever Ase! Hotep! Heri!
An honor to participate in this important endeavor to hnor Brother Branch....Akua
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.
I most definetely would love to see this happen. He earned it....he deserves it!!
Big Unc adored his community and this would be a great honor. Can't wait until it happens!
A man who loved his community and loyal to the community! Never enough hours in a day for the work he did!
The Center has always been a cultural aspiration, a cultural university powerhouse .
I wasn't aware Br a John Watusi made transition , rest from his labor, sleep in eternal peace til called again from the grave, in hope of the resurrection ! Prayer and blessings to his family and frirnds
well deserved.
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
"...From The Dayz of My Parentz & I, Driving by 'The Afrikan Poetry Theatre' & Reading, Who'z Performing...To Becoming Friendz/Family with Akili Walker, Who Introduced Me to Saiku...My Connection to 'Baba John', Wuz Unfortunately during the Latter stint of Hiz Illness, the Dimize...The Multi-Directional Influx of Love, Pure Respect & Committed Support, wuz Wonderfully Overwhelming...'John Watusi Branch', Had Created a Comfortable Atmosphere, Home, Bonded Family, Comprized of Beautiful Generationz, with Like Vibez, Beliefz & Home Grown Knowledge...Heritage, Music, Artz...'AFRIKAN AWARENESS, PRIDE & THEIR SIGNIFICANCE, IN OUR LIVEZ TODAY!...The TRAILBLAZING WIZDOM & PASSIONZ, to TEACH, MEND & MESH TOGETHER A COMMUNITY...LOYAL, LEARNED, LOVED ONEZ...BLOOD & OTHERWIZE RELATED, LIKE MINDED SOULZ...SOLID FOUNDATION, WELCOMING ALL...THE STREET NAMED AFTER, 'BABA JOHN WATUSI BRANCH', WOULD ALLOW THE COMMUNITY MEMBERZ, THE GIFT OF LOOKING 'UPWARD', AZ THEY 'LOOKED UP' TO THIS VERY FINE & IMPORTANT MAN, WHO SPENT THE BETTER PART OF HIZ LIFE, CONTRIBUTING TIME, PATIENCE, WILL OF HEART...TO HIZ 'GLOBAL FAMILY'..."
well deserved!
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.
great man who made a difference in my life and many othersd m
yahmeen!
i TRULY BELIEVE THIS IS INDEED A SPECIAL TRIBUT TO MY BROTHER FOR HIS DEDICATION TO THE aFRIKAN pOETRY tHEATRE FOR MANY YEARS...tHANK YOU i FAMILY WILL INDEED BE GRATEFUL
May the good John left, last forever Ase! Hotep! Heri!