Harvesting hope: Busta Rhymes headlines Thanksgiving celebration in Brooklyn

East Flatbush residents gathered at P.S. 135 Sheldon A. Brookner High School on Nov. 23 for a Thanksgiving celebration that blended wellness workshops, community support and holiday cheer.

Hosted by LinkNYC, Assembly Member Monique Chandler-Waterman, IAmWonda Woman, and East Flatbush Village Inc. the event — “Harvesting Health & Harmony” — kicked off at 11 a.m. with workshops led by LinkNYC’s community liaison, Tony Parent. The sessions focused on mental health, reducing gun violence, and managing trauma and stress, especially during the holiday season.

The celebration concluded in the schoolyard with a free concert featuring performances by the Ross Boyz and rapper Special Ed, followed by a headline set by East Flatbush native and P.S. 135 alumnus Busta Rhymes.

Assembly Member Monique Chandler-Waterman (right) said the event was about bringing hope and love to the community.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann

Nicole Robinson Etienne, senior director of external affairs for LinkNYC, noted that the organization partnered with Chandler-Waterman in 2023 to establish a 988 dial feature on LinkNYC kiosks, connecting New Yorkers experiencing mental health crises directly to the suicide and crisis lifeline.

“We partnered together today to have mental health workshops to help address seasonal depression and other issues during the holiday time,” Robinson Etienne said.

Noderea John, a licensed clinical social worker and chair of Assembly District 58’s mental health task force, emphasized the importance of making resources accessible, particularly during the holidays, when many face loneliness, depression or food insecurity.

“This event is all about coming together as a community and making sure that people have a sense of social network,” John said, adding that inflation has made it harder for families to meet basic needs. “When you have food insecurities, when you have limited resources, it is a stressor, and it impacts everyone’s mental health.”

Volunteers hand out turkeys to the community.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann

Dr. Mida Leacock, president of IAmWonda Woman, shared that her organization hosted a workshop for young women in foster care.

“We pick 10 foster girls every year, and we focus on them for the year,” Dr. Leacock said, “so we’re doing a workshop on financial literacy, mental health and wellness and career path.”

After the workshops, volunteers distributed more than 600 frozen turkeys in the school cafeteria. Representatives from the FDNY, the Department of Education, and MetroPlusHealth were among the organizations offering information about community resources.

Assembly Member Chandler-Waterman, an alumna of P.S. 135, said the event aimed to foster hope and unity in the community. “Today is all about giving thanks and making sure that people know there’s hope and bringing love and life to them as well,” she said.

Residents danced and celebrated together.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann

Chandler-Waterman explained that the turkey giveaway was about more than just addressing food insecurity.

“The turkey for the meal, but it’s [also] a symbolism of, ‘You’re loved, you’re appreciated.’ Someone took the time out to think about you, and this is what this event is about,” she said.

East Flatbush resident Anita Lawrence said the holiday season remains difficult for many, particularly those who lost family members during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Giving back to the community, this is something that we need, and it’s going to uplift everyone,” Lawrence said. “So I think this is amazing, you know, for everybody to just celebrate, you know, and give thanks.”

NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and East Flatbush native Busta Rhymes.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams presents a proclamation to East Flatbush native and P.S. 135 alumnus Busta Rhymes, recognizing his contributions to hip-hop and the community.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann

Before Rhymes and longtime friend hip-hop artist Spliff Star took the stage, local officials honored the musicians for their contributions to the community and the genre.

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who showcased his beatboxing skills for the crowd, presented Edward “Special Ed” Archer and William “Spliff Star” Lewis with citations and Busta Rhymes with a proclamation.

“It’s an honor for me to give out the citations and the proclamations to people I looked up to,” Williams said.

Chandler-Waterman presented Rhymes with a proclamation from the State Assembly, and a representative for Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso declared Nov. 23, 2024, “Busta Rhymes Day.”

Attendees gather in the schoolyard to enjoy a free concert featuring performances by the Ross Boyz, ‘Special Ed,’ and headliner Busta Rhymes.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann

After the concert, Rhymes reflected on his connection to Brooklyn.

“We give back to the community regularly because it’s home, and it’s not really something that we do for recognition,” he said. “We just sometimes do it for peace of mind and comfort.”