'BDC Focus' Issue 4

EMBEDDED DEEP IN THE SOIL: THE FIGHT FOR ST. MARY’S PARK

STORY + PHOTOS BY PAMELA Y. ROZON

On a sunny, chilly afternoon in November, 2023, city and police officials were faced with the reality St. Mary’s Park. After years of fighting for the reclamation of the park, environmental activist Carmen Santiago took the lead in a tour that took months to organize. They walked through the grassy hills, careful not to step on crushed glass, human feces, or exposed needles.

Santiago started the tour at 149th Street and St. Anns Avenue, taking the group of officials, which included Jessenia Aponte (the Bronx Borough Commissioner for the NYC Parks Department), Assemblymember Rafael Salamanca and a member of the Mayor’s office, to the most needle-infested areas of the park. They found abandoned fire pits, discarded clothing and orange needle caps that covered the ground, some embedded deep into the soil.

As officials and community members had a heated conversation on the park’s needle crisis, Marty Rogers stuck needles onto the lid of a cardboard pizza box. Volunteers had just cleaned the park this morning, he says, yet he still found an abundance of trash and evidence of drug use.

A few months after the tour, at the 40th precinct’s monthly meeting, NYPD officers said they weren’t ready to install surveillance cameras in the park just yet. However, drones will be introduced to the park this summer. The news angered some activists and appeased others, with some saying the planned action was better than no surveillance.

During that same meeting, an assistant from Assemblymember Rafael Salamanca’s office provided flyers, which included a small paragraph and photo of him at the tour of St. Mary’s Park. It made no mention of the needles, simply stating, “I had the opportunity to discuss ways to maintain the cleanliness and safety of the park, ensuring that it remains an enjoyable destination for all visitors.”

St. Mary’s Park was constructed in 1888, and is one of the oldest parks in the Bronx. It has many outdoor resources for the community, such as playgrounds, basketball courts, a dog park, a running track and a recreational center, which is currently closed for reconstruction.

NYC parks are inspected by the Parks Inspection Program (PIP) which rates the cleanliness, landscape, and structure of each location. PIP’s cleanliness rating is based on whether they find broken glass, graffiti, weeds, and litter, including health hazards such as syringes. These ratings are reported yearly in the Mayor’s Management Report and used to inform the public on the general condition of the city’s parks.

Although St. Mary’s Park meets the standards of cleanliness set forth by the NYC Parks Department and is cleaned several times a day, Parks staff collected 38,000 needles there in 2023, and 6,000 needles so far in 2024.

Carmen Santiago refers to St. Mary’s Park as “my own backyard;” she grew up across the street in the 1970s. In the winter months, she would use a garbage can lid as a sled, sliding joyfully down the enormous granite incline on the park’s north side. Called “the rock,” by locals, today that granite outcropping is littered with bloody needles and garbage.

Santiago is no stranger to the problems of St. Mary’s Park and has been an activist since her high school days. Now as a retiree, she has become one of the loudest voices, fighting to protect and restore the park.

The park itself is split in half, with the north side being the most needle-infested. Santiago’s mother lives across from the park on the north side. Directly in front of the building is what the Parks Department calls the “forbidden zone,” said Santiago, where it is common to see members of the community who are

drug abusers actively injecting themselves on the rocks.

When Santiago visits her mother, she often has to cut through the park. She photographs the exposed needles and garbage polluting her childhood oasis during her walks. Santiago sends images and videos of what she finds to her email thread, which consists of over 100 people, including the Mayor’s office, Community Board One and the fourth Precinct Council.

“We’re repeating ourselves and nothing is getting done right,” said Santiago.

The park had an organization called Friends of St Mary’s Park that held community-based events and clean-ups. However, the group disbanded due to the Coronavirus pandemic and a decrease in volunteers.

Brittney Ron, assistant to Assemblywoman Amanda Septimo’s office, inspired by Santiago’s activism and the success of November’s park tour, is trying to lead a resurgence of the organization. She hopes to give Friends of St. Mary’s Park ‘non-profit’ status, so they could apply for grants to be directly used for the park’s remediation.

“[There’s] a lot of community activism around the issue. So I think we just decided that it was a perfect time to try to gather community and get things rolling, get the group back to what it was,” said Ron.

During the first clean-up effort by the Friends of St. Mary’s Park, a group of 14 volunteers were provided with grabbers, gloves, garbage bags, and rakes. The clean-up was mainly located near the playground, which is considered by some to be the cleanest part of the park in terms of needles.

Volunteer Priya Aikens has been a St. Mary’s Park community resident for about 20 years. She recalls often bringing her two children to the park, especially in the summer.

“It wasn’t like this back then,” said Aikens. “We didn’t see anyone shooting up on the rock, needles on the ground. Back in the nineties, there was none of that over here. I mean, the park was never perfect, but we didn’t have the drug activity that we have now.”

Aikens volunteered for the clean-up in response to Santiago’s email invitation. Upon walking up the rocky hills of the park, with a grabber and black trash bag in hand, she commented on the intensity of the drug usage around the park.

“It’ll help as a bandaid to clean up, but it’s not a permanent solution,” said Aikens speaking about the impact of the clean-ups. “They are here every day, we’re not. We’ll come back two weeks from now and we will probably have the same amount [of needles] or even more.”

Aikens, like many other residents, attributes the high amount of drug usage around St. Mary’s Park to the pandemic and the closing of “The Hole.”

“The Hole” was an abandoned railroad track at St. Ann’s Ave, where those who suffer from drug addiction gathered. The tracks were covered in dirty needles and orange caps, but many of the homeless called it their home. It was common to see the occasional firetruck or ambulance rushing over to “The Hole” just to resuscitate someone who had just overdosed.

The city performed a cleanup in 2015 after Mayor Bill de Blasio visited the site. Yet “The Hole” quickly filled once again with needles and bloodied napkins.

The city took action to clean up “The Hole,” in 2017 deploying NYC Health and Sanitation bulldozers to

INVESTIGATIVE REPORT

remove the needles from the abandoned railroad tracks. City workers repaired the breaches in the surrounding fence, and an NYPD patrol car was stationed outside to prevent unauthorized entry.

There was no plan set in place as to where these individuals from “The Hole” would go, thus resulting in the streets of Mott Haven being filled with its former residents.

According to NYC Health in 2023, the Bronx has the highest rate of drug abuse and overdoses in the city. This results in it also having the most methadone clinics in New York City, with four being located near the park. The majority of these clinics are outpatient, meaning those who are using these services are not able to stay overnight, and so many use the park as their home.

“Not even when the Bronx, in the 70s-80s, was burning, was it like this. It’s kind of burning in a different sort of way because now you’re dealing with the drugs, the guns, the homeless, the mentally ill, the addicts,” said Santiago.

The recreation center at St. Mary’s Park was given $9,846,000 in funding for reconstruction and has been closed since May 2022. The Center was originally supposed to be completed by November 2023 but according to the NYC Parks website, the new completion date is April 2025.

St. Mary’s Park is located in the Mott Haven neighborhood in the South Bronx.

Due to its closing, parents insist there is no longer a safe space for their kids to spend time within the community.

“Our kids are suffering, let’s be clear,” said the second vice chair of Community Board 1, Ambroise Ngand. “I don’t think this would happen in Harlem, I don’t think this would happen downtown, this would only happen in the South Bronx.”

On March 26th of this year, in an auditorium at Lincoln Hospital filled with parents and community leaders, NYC Parks had its first Q&A session about St. Mary’s Recreation Center. Officials from NYC Parks presented a short slideshow detailing what has been completed for the Center.

The slideshow revealed there were a multitude of problems that delayed the construction. These included asbestos in the ceilings and walls, water infiltration, electricity issues, and deteriorating door frames.

“Our kids are suffering, let’s be clear,” said the second vice chair of Community Board 1, Ambroise Ngand.

“I don’t think this would happen in Harlem, I don’t think this would happen downtown, this would only happen in the South Bronx.”

Santiago raised questions about the delays in the construction of the Center and held up a plastic container filled with needles, loudly proclaiming that this was the reality of the Park and officials should be aware of this truth.

In response, Council member Ayala agreed with Santiago and began to speak about a pilot project called the Buy Back program. It would encourage the picking up of needles using an exchange program that would award any individual 20 cents per needle picked up, with a $10 maximum per day.

“I did this as an act of desperation because the city did not come up and still has not come up with a solution that helps communities of color, communities where this is prominent. (...) I have tried everything under the sun and it falls on deaf ears,” said Council member Ayala.“Again it’s not the best solution, I admit that, but when you have nothing this is what we get.”

This project has been approved as a law for over a year, but has not yet been signed by Mayor Eric Adams.

NYC Parks Bronx Borough Commissioner Jessenia Aponte told audiences that she is sympathetic to the frustrations of the public and ended the Q&A with the promise of providing more frequent updates.

“Our tax money keeps them addicted because there’s no solution with the politicians,” said Santiago. “They just want to throw money at it but they don’t want to do the homework to try to solve it.”

In mid April, Santiago scales the steep hills of St. Mary’s Park once again, pointing out every needle she came across. As she trekked upon one of the park’s large rocks she turned to see a man standing near its base. Santiago asked if she could pass by, and he stepped aside jokingly calling her a teacher for giving a tour of the park. “Dios te bendiga (May God bless you),” she said as she walked away, only to turn around and see him lift his sweat pants exposing his calf to inject a needle mere feet away from a playground.

St. Mary’s is the largest park in the South Bronx.

Scan the QR code to view a virtual map.

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ABOUT

WHO WE ARE

Driven by a shared commitment to documenting critical issues using the journalistic techniques honed in our classrooms, the BDC Youth Photo League students, alumni, and staff have collectively produced this publication. Through their lenses, they capture the essence of our community, shedding light on untold stories deserving wider recognition.

At the core of the League lies the belief in community-based journalism created by students actively listening to the voices and stories of the people. These aspiring photojournalists and writers have ventured into the corners of our community.

“FOCUS” photography and writing is a medium for storytelling. It serves as a reminder that through empathetic observation and the genuine connection between photographer and subject, we can create a journalistic practice.

The Bronx Documentary Center (BDC) is a non-profit gallery and educational space. The BDC Youth Photo League is a documentary photography, video, journalism and college success program serving middle through high school students. Learn more at bronxdoc.org.

MASTHEAD

Editors-in-Chief: RICARDO J. PARTIDA + PAMELA Y. ROZON | Copy Editors: MIKE KAMBER + TERRY SHTOB

Writers: PAMELA Y. ROZON +ITZEL ROBLES + ELLIOT RUSSELL+ HS1 + HS2

Photographers: BDC YOUTH PHOTO LEAGUE STUDENTS + BDC STAFF / VOLUNTEERS

High School Teaching Artists: DANIELA LÓPEZ AMÉZQUITA + ANYA BROIDO + GIACOMO FRANCIA + MIKE KAMBER + RICARDO J. PARTIDA + CARLOS DE LA SANCHA + EVAN SOLIS

Middle School Teaching Artists: LEA IBRAGIMOV + STEPHANIE ESPINOZA + ITZEL ROBLES

Printer: PAMELA Y. ROZON • Designer: KATIE KHOURI • Cover Image: BRANDON CARRILLO LEON

• A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO MARTY ROGERS, COMMUNITY LEADER AND FRIEND •

The BDC Youth Photo League is made possible, in part, by the Lily Auchincloss Foundation, H.T. Ewald Foundation, Rea Charitable Trust, Pinkerton Foundation, Joy of Giving Something, The Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation; by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council, and by City Council member Rafael Salamanca; the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the State Legislature; the Phillip and Edith Leonian Foundation; and the William Talbott Hillman Foundation.

All digital photos taken on DSLR cameras were taken with equipment generously provided by Fujfilm.

RAFAEL ACATA’S JOURNEY FROM ARCHITECTURE TO THE ART OF PHOTOGRAPHY

STORY BY PAMELA Y. ROZON + PHOTOS BY RAFAEL ACATA

Rafael Acata, 41, describes himself as a visual artist rather than a photographer. He is the founder of Retina LatinoAmerica, an organization created in 2021 that holds exhibitions showcasing the long-term projects of primarily Latino photographers.

Although he’s now achieved success as a photographer, he didn’t start taking pictures at the very beginning of his career.

He began by studying architecture in Mexico City, where he says that photography is not as wildly popular as it is in New York. After graduating and working in his field for a few years, he decided to move to New York City for a change of pace when he was 35 years old. He brought his barely-used digital camera with him from Mexico, and began photographing the city around him. He would walk through the crowded busy streets of Midtown Manhattan, snapping pictures of anything that caught his interest. As he shot, he began to form relationships with other street photographers, who then introduced him to film photography.

“That’s what I love about New York City–you can meet really good photographers, and they’re accessible–you can talk to them. In Mexico, they are like celebrities, on another level,” said Rafael.”I met street photographers in NYC and they looked at my work, and the feedback they gave me was very interesting. I wasn’t expecting major photographers to talk to me in this way about my stuff.”

Rafael views himself as a very introverted person, yet through his lens he finds unwavering confidence, “When I don’t have my camera, I feel like I could almost be like a ghost. When I have my camera I feel strong.” He says that when he’s using his camera, it becomes an extension of himself, a tool to connect with others in a more meaningful and fulfilling manner.

“I think photography is very subjective,” said Rafael. “When I first tried to take photos, I was very aware about composition–that kind of stuff. Now that aspect is secondary.”

In many of Rafael’s photos there’s an intermingling of colors and shapes, and he uses his architecture background as inspiration for his art. He doesn’t like to merely rely on the technical aspects of photography, preferring to be creative and abstract in his work.

He has found inspiration from various artists, such as Luis Barragan, the renowned Mexican architect and engineer. As an architect, Rafael was enthralled with the way Barragan captured both Spanish and Mexican culture in the homes he designed. Rafael would often try to emulate Barragan’s work by experimenting with colors and shapes. Barragan once said, “No hagan lo que yo hice, vean lo que yo vi” (“Don’t do what I’ve done, look at what I’ve seen”). This resonated with Rafael, who often refers back to this quote for motivation in his art.

Another artist who inspired his work is the Mexican poet and diplomat Octavio Paz. Paz once said, “No es la memoria que recuerda lo pasado, sino el pasado que vuelve” (“It’s not memory that remembers the past; it’s

the past that returns”). This quote inspired Rafael’s current long-term project to document various people who ride the ferry to Staten Island. A few months ago he began to feel homesick, but since he wasn’t able to travel he began to ride the ferry as a form of therapy. Feeling the ocean breeze and the smell of salt water eased his stress, “You have a lot of time to watch, observe,” said Rafael. It was during these ferry rides that he became interested in the lives of those who also traveled on the ferry, and he began to photograph them. “I was looking for a sense of community,” he said.

Rafael was introduced to the Bronx Documentary Center five years ago by a friend. He was always interested in photobooks, and was told that the BDC had a large photobook collection. After visiting for the first time, he instantly found connection within the community of photographers that make up the space. Rafael has been volunteering for more than a year, and hopes to continue to do so.

SQUAD 41

STORY + IMAGES BY HIGH SCHOOL 1 STUDENTS

At 11 A.M on April 6, a gray Saturday morning, dozens of people gathered on 150th Street between Courtlandt and Melrose Avenues in the South Bronx. Firefighters from different generations and all five boroughs came to celebrate the achievements and history of Squad Company 41, which was celebrating its 150th anniversary.

Squad Company 41 was created on January 1, 1874. The Squad’s original location was at 2801 Third Avenue in the Bronx. It remained there until April 4, 1904, when the city opened its station at 330 East 150 Street.

Squad 41 has faced many challenges in its 150year history. During the 1960s and 70s, excessive fires made it more difficult to safeguard New York City, especially in the South Bronx. Residents survived years of continuous arson and neglect.

Multiple firehouses were shut down during this time, including Squad 41. On May 3, 1989, the station closed in a time frame when 40% of the South Bronx burned. But, the neighborhood fought back. After a year of protests, the people of the South Bronx, led by local legends Marty and Francince Rogers, were able to bring Firehouse 41 back. It returned to service on July 1, 1990.

‘We hold on tight to our fire truck, and it ain’t never going away,’’ said Rogers at the time.

“The greatest job in the world.”

Today, Squad 41 has built a community by working through their 24-hour long shifts. This ambiance has lasted for generations, with fathers and sons, in turn, having worked in the same station. With all the firemen we spoke to, each shared the same sentiment: once you join, you never want to leave.

“It’s the greatest job in the world,” said fireman Mike Shepp.

But it’s no easy job. To become a fire cadet, the first step in the process, you need to train for 600 hours over 12 to 14 weeks. To become a firefighter, cadets must then take a physical and written exam to enter the academy. The FDNY Academy is notoriously known as the “training at the rock” for its rigorous course. Firefighters that come out of it say that it is the toughest place to train. And since 41 is a squad unit, they have more responsibility, and even more intense training, than an engine or ladder company.

“The brave men of Squad 41 have exemplified the true meaning of heroism.”

“In a specialized company, you’re in and out between six months and a year to get all of our technical rescue and hazmat disciplines,” said one squad member.

The training and the job take a toll. In general, firefighters experience significant struggles with mental health. 19 percent of firefighters in the U.S. have had thoughts of suicide; 27 percent have struggled with substance abuse; 59 percent have experienced family and relationship problems; and 65 percent are haunted by memories of bad calls, according to NBC News.

So, when they’re not working, the firemen need a place to fall back on. There is the station’s kitchen: a place they hold sacred.

“[The city] doesn’t pay for the couches, the pots, they don’t pay for the knives,” said fireman Ryan Blackwell.

It’s a space to joke with one another and connect in a way no one outside the firehouse can fully understand. It’s essential to their mental health, a place to decompress and spend time with their second family.

“The true meaning of heroism.”

On the day of the ceremony, two fire trucks blocked off 150th Street as dozens of firefighters, their families, and city officials crowded into the open garage of Firehouse 41. Balloons hung from the trucks. Lieutenant Tracy Lewis, executive officer to the New York City fire commissioner and the second-ever black female firefighter lieutenant in the city, opened the ceremony with her remarks.

“Service and dedication have been a staple of this firehouse since it was born. And it is still on display every time you go out that door responding to fires.”

As the ceremony went on, more firefighters, old and young, spoke of their experiences. Some reminisced about their time in the station, while others spoke about its bright future. At the ceremony’s end, Marty and Francince Rogers were brought to the front and surprised with a pair of commemorative helmets. In a circle, a group of men played the bagpipes. Old friends reunited and new ones were made.

“The brave men of Squad 41 have exemplified the true meaning of heroism. They rush into danger while others flee, risking their own lives to save those in peril,” said Lieutenant Scott Altman. “Yet they’ve always stood strong, united by their commitment to duty - their bond as brothers-in-arms.”

FOR RAMADAN, NATIVES AND NEWCOMERS CONGREGATE AT DAROU SALAM ISLAMIC CENTER

STORY + PHOTOS BY ELLIOT RUSSELL

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY GIACOMO FRANCIA + RICARDO PARTIDA

TRANSLATION FROM FRENCH BY ADÈLE LOUBIÈRES

It was time for prayer on Friday, the Islamic day of congregation, during the first week of Ramadan. Dressed in a medley of tunics, oversized winter coats, and beanies cuffed like kufis, men trickled into the Darou Salam Islamic Center. The mosque operates under the facade of a commercial building and warehouse at the intersection of Elton street and 3rd Avenue.

Inside, the newly installed carpet — which is routinely replaced to accommodate the overwhelming number of African migrants worshipping, eating and sleeping in the mosque — filled rapidly with rows of congregants. The imam began reading from the Quran; the trickle showed no sign of stopping. Worshippers knelt in the stairwell and overflowed onto the sidewalk, the sura, or chapter of

the Quran, echoing into the street.

“It’s the community that doubled,” said Sekou Kromah, a regular at Darou Salam who emigrated from Guinea to the South Bronx in 2009, chewing his miswak, a tooth-cleaning stick, and gesturing toward the room of people praying.

Prayer time at Darou Salam has looked different since October, Kromah said. That’s when African migrants, mostly from countries in the west of the continent like Senegal, Guinea, Mali and Mauritania, began arriving in New York by the busload from the southern U.S. border.

In 2023, the number of people migrating from Africa to the U.S. more than tripled, according to The New York Times. The majority of them seek

asylum and remain in the country while their case is being decided, which could last years, regardless of the outcome.

Because of the language barrier and stay limits at city shelters, it falls on the pre-existing immigrant communities to provide for these new arrivals. Since the beginning of the new year, Darou Salam has helped approximately 5,000 immigrants obtain NYC IDs, file for Medicare coverage, begin the asylum seeking process and removal proceedings, as well as provide them with food and clothing. Ultimately, the mosque’s goal is to secure work permits for them so they can support themselves. Darou Salam is one of 20 mosques in the city that provides services like these for immigrants, according to the Interfaith Center of New York.

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“I see myself all over. You understand, all them coming from Africa, all of them on the floor of this masjid, this mosque. I see me,” said Almuteen. “I see me every time I see them.”

“If Allah, if God put me here to help, I see the people need help, I have to do something,” said Cheikh Ndao, imam at Darou Salam. “When I see the number increase everyday, they need help, I don’t have any control. I say I have to do my best to help.”

At the end of 2023, as many Africans struggled to find a new home in the South Bronx, Ndao found his way back to his mother country, Senegal, following the death of his mother. He emigrated in 2001 treading in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, religious leaders who already had followers in the United States. Come 2024, he returned to Darou Salam in time for Ramadan. The sacred holiday, occurring during the month of the Islamic calendar when the Quran was revealed to the prophet Muhammed, marks a time of charity. During iftar, the fast-breaking evening meal, the mosque feeds upwards of 100 people each day.

“For Ramadan, people increase their donations, especially of food and water,” said Ndao. “One day, we have 40 boxes of water. Sometimes, somebody buys chicken and beans for the mosque to cook. Because we have a lot

of people, we need to feed the people.”

The mosque as solace

A mosque can be in any sort of building. In New York, they’re often founded and maintained by immigrants like Ndao, who have settled in the city since the turn of the century.The need for affordable space often overrules the desire for an ornate house of worship.

Darou Salam was founded in 2012, opening their current location in 2014 on the second floor of a building on Elton street. It wasn’t until this year that they were able to open a second mosque across the street from the first, thanks to a $5,000 grant from the Mayor’s office for migrant assistance.

Despite the additional space, the floors of both mosques are filled with people day in and day out, sleeping long afternoons and praying through the night.

The expenses have begun to add up. The combined rent and electricity bills for the two spaces totals approximately $11,000 monthly, according to Ndao.

“We still need help because it’s not easy,” he said.

According to Gothamist, Darou Salam was denied access to the Adams administration’s $75 million fund to support houses of worship

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serving as temporary shelters. Their repurposed buildings failed to meet fire and building codes—the renovations for which would’ve cost the already struggling mosque an additional $84,000.

This time last year, one might have found Uhuru Abu Bakr Almuteen, kneeling on the floor of the original prayer hall.. Born to a mother from Virginia and a father from Barbados, he’s a New Yorker who grew up in Harlem and the South Bronx. Almuteen has been involved in the African American Muslim community since 1974 when, as a teenager, he joined the Nation of Islam. While incarcerated at Rikers Island in the 1990s, he discovered and then converted to Sunni Islam and now worships at Darou Salam. After a series of hardships left him homeless in early 2022, he turned to the mosque.

“First, my father died. Then my sister died. After that my house burned up. Then they all lose respect for me because I don’t have a job,” said Almuteen. “It was something I had to go through because God wanted me to see something. God wanted me to see who was with me, who wasn’t with me. Who’s gonna be there for you, who’s not gonna be there for you. Not just that he wants me to suffer—to humble myself and get closer to him.”

On Friday evening, Almuteen crouched on the tarp-covered floor of the room where, until

recently, he was sleeping. Styrofoam plates were placed in rows beside him, each adorned with a single date. Through the gated window, the sun was setting and the smell of stewed meat was in the air.

Just in time for the iftar, or post-fast meal, the trickle started again and soon the floor was as full as ever. As they took their seats for the feast, Almuteen pointed to those who fed him and kept him company while living at Darou Salam. Then, he pointed to two young migrants who sat against the wall, waiting to break their fast.

The road to salvation

The following Friday, prayer time came and went, yet the crowd lingered at Darou Salam. E-bike delivery drivers leaned their steeds on signposts, while others stood around chatting. Inside the new prayer hall, a crowd huddled around Ndao, who had just finished his recitation. A voice emerged from the public address system, urging the congregants in French to return the next morning: not to pray, but to enlist. The U.S. Army would be recruiting at the mosque. Joining the military is one way that non-citizens bypass the long process of obtaining a green card. As opposed to five years of residency, one year of service makes one eligible

INVESTIGATIVE FEATURE

to naturalize. This does not, however, guarantee citizenship; according to the US Citizenship & Immigration Services, 11.1% of the applications received in the fourth quarter of the 2023 fiscal year, the most recent data available, were rejected, compared to 10.6% of civilians.

Mamadou Moussa Balde, a 19-year-old who emigrated last year from Guinea, was resting in the mosque amidst the crowd. Since he arrived in New York in November, he comes to Darou Salam five times a day for each prayer, then sleeps each night in the home of a community member.

It was the turmoil in Conakry, the capital of Guinea and Balde’s former home, that prompted his voyage to the United States.

“There are political movements,” Balde said in French. “I’m afraid of the war that’s happening in the country.”

When Balde mentioned the absence of “political safety,” he was referring to the ongoing aftermath of the 2021 military coup d’état by Lieutenant Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, now interim president of Guinea. Freedom of assembly and expression, as well as political opposition to the government, has been radically restricted since his junta took power, according to Freedom House.

New York, nestled on a land mass across the world from Africa, is a distant source of optimism for those as ambitious as Balde. In light of the European Union blocking asylum seekers, French and Portuguese-speaking Africans are fleeing to the English-speaking United States. The weakness of West African passports forces these migrants to follow a roundabout passage through mostly Spanish-speaking Latin America. It’s a treacherous and potentially life-threatening journey by plane, bus, automobile and foot.

“You can’t get a direct flight to the U.S., so you want to get to a country where you can take a

bus, like Colombia,” said Balde. “The first goal is to just leave the continent.”

Balde left Africa, flying first from Guinea to Turkey, then to Brazil. He traversed Brazil, crossed the Darien Gap from Colombia to Panama, then went up through Central America until he reached the border between Mexico and the state of Arizona—all by land.

“We put in a lot of effort. We dedicated ourselves to it,” said Balde. “It was good though, because we took refuge, and the U.S. welcomed us. We were sure that there was no danger coming after us.”

After being detained at the border for 16 hours, ICE agents asked where in the U.S he intended to go. He told them New York. From there, they flew him to the city, where he was freed.

Balde quickly found allies in the rapidly growing community of Muslim migrants occupying the city’s streets and shelters. Soon, he was directed to Darou Salam.

“We’re not from here and we’re Muslim. We have friends around, here and there, and so if information comes out they tell us about it,” he said.

As he recalled his story, Balde sat crosslegged and upright on the carpet of the mosque. Now, he said, he spends his days working towards his GED so he can attend university, picking up where he left off in Guinea.

“I have dreams. I have goals. When I started in my country I didn’t finish,” he said. “I wanted to do law.”

On the road to self-realization, Balde, like many others in his shoes, still faces obstacles. He doesn’t speak English, nor has he obtained a work permit yet. The services that Darou Salam provides are making it possible for these obstacles to be overcome, and the support of those who already call the South

Bronx home is bringing that horizon ever closer. For instance, Almuteen—who worked most of his life as a brick mason—is being trained in OSHA certification and hopes to train migrants in his trade.

“Allah is quick to put the brothers here. So when I see them here, when these people come, the only thing I see is mercy from God. When they come, this is help,” Almuteen said. “All this is help. All this is mercy.”

According to Gothamist, Darou Salam was denied access to the Adams administration’s $75 million fund to support houses of worship serving as temporary shelters. Their repurposed buildings failed to meet fire and building codes—the renovations for which would’ve cost the already struggling mosque an additional $84,000.

Brandon Carrillo Leon 11th Grade

My father has always told me “Echale ganas,“ which means “Give it all you’ve got.” But when I was younger, I never truly took his advice. My dad lives a quiet humble life, focusing only on providing and spending time with family. He’s always listening to youtube videos talking about God, usually while he’s in the kitchen. And though his life is peaceful now, it wasn’t always like this. He has come a long way, 2685 miles to be exact.

My dad, Nazario Daniel Carrillo Barroso, was born and raised in Ciruelos de Guaponcingo in Oaxaca, Mexico. In his teenage years, my father committed a crime and was sentenced to 14 years in Mexico. After he served his time, he came to the states with my mother to start a new life; it was important to him that he give his children a better life than the one he was given. I’ve known his story for a few years, but I didn’t really bother asking many specific questions because I didn’t feel like I had a reason to. But that changed when I started to use my camera as a tool to document him, his habits, and really explore who my father actually is. I began to learn more of his story, such as why he specifically went to jail, what circumstances led to his incarceration, and who he was as a person in general before jail. I also wanted to show what his daily life was now that he’s moved on from his past. He listens to gospels, cooks when he doesn’t have work, plays with my younger siblings, and just does anything he can around the house. He doesn’t even really go out if it isn’t related to his health, family, or work. In many ways, his life in the States is completely different than his life was in Mexico, and I find him to be an extremely interesting person. And it became important to me to document how I see him with my camera.

FATHER’S THROUGH OUR EYES

FATHER’S THROUGH OUR EYES

Bernie Carmona 11th Grade

I decided my project would be about my father, who is a street vendor in downtown Manhattan. I remember going along with my parents shopping for the ingredients and supplies. Every summer I’d spend my days helping my father cook, then join him to sell in the morning afterward. These experiences shaped how I view the hardships my parents go through, and I wanted to photograph these specific momaents of a difficult job that isn’t advocated for as much. I’ve seen injustices happen in the city where many street vendors are targeted by officers for trying to make a living for their family. Similarly, I wanted to shed light on this issue because I myself have seen the experiences of navigating life as a street vendor and the obstacles that are faced in many aspects. This photo project was a creative way for me to express the experiences of my father under circumstances, and capture the environment that I grew up in as well.

BRONX ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

TREVON BLONDET

STORY BY ITZEL ROBLES

IMAGES BY TREVON BLONDET

Bronx native Trevon Blondet is a photographer whose educational journey led him from Cardinal Hayes High School to Long Island University, where he pursued a degree in communications. During his time at LIU, he discovered a passion for storytelling, and was particularly captivated by the narratives woven by individuals within his community.

Blondet’s formative years were shaped by the deep-seated passion for photography exhibited by his father and uncle. Their dedication to capturing cherished moments during family gatherings sparked a deep curiosity within him. This fascination gradually evolved into a personal drive to document his own experiences.

Blondet reminisces about being the class photographer when he was in middle school, remembering how this hobby not only connected him with his past but also served as the bedrock for his future artistic pursuits. Blondet’s journey began with a focus on sports photography and an interest in capturing electrifying moments from concerts. Over time, his focus expanded, leading him to delve into the art of portraiture and into street photography.

As a committed member of the Bronx Photo League at the Bronx Documentary Center (BDC), Blondet actively engages with a community of fellow photographers and enthusiasts. This collaborative environment supports his photo practice and allows him to explore new dimensions in visual storytelling. Blondet’s introduction to the BDC came during a pop-up event he attended. The gathering showcased various artists, from street artists to photographers, and took place at what would later become the BDC’s gallery at 614 Courtlandt Ave. It was during this event that he crossed paths with Mike Kamber, the founder and creative director of the BDC. Blondet says, “He allowed people to use the space for art purposes.”

Immersing himself in that environment, Blondet discovered a particular interest in photojournalism. “That was my draw, that was what got me into photography,” he says. “I started to go to the BDC regularly for artist talks and other exhibit openings”

In 2014, Blondet embarked on a long-term photo project concerning NYC’s decision to rezone an area of about 20 blocks on Jerome Avenue. This initiative aimed to transform a

As a dedicated member of the Bronx Photo League at the Bronx Documentary Center (BDC), Blondet actively engages with a community of fellow photographers and enthusiasts.

vibrant street, known for its bakeries, botanical shops, and mechanic’s workshops, into a residential zone.

“We walked from 167th until 187th and we just talked to people and [asked] how long they’ve been living there or working there,” said Blondet, “and educated them on what rezoning means.”

After working on this project, in 2017, Blondet received support from a grant, “I became a Claremont Fellow…. part of the fellowship was documenting life in Claremont Village,” says Blondet. “At first I followed an African soccer team …. we went to a couple of practices and a few games.” This project got published in Republica, an online magazine that was called Africa United.

After the assignment, Kamber told him to take portraits and get to know people in Claremont. “During that process I was able to meet people,” says Blondet, “I have ties at Claremont, and one of the things I was able to do was find my grandmother’s best friend before she passed

and I was able to take her portrait.”

This was a meaningful moment for Blondet, as it brought him immense joy to be able to do this for her family.

Now, Blondet finds himself immersed in a juggling act, managing his photography commitments alongside the joys and responsibilities of fatherhood with his oneyear-old daughter. The experience of having a child ignited a spark of inspiration within him to embark on a project centered around fatherhood.

Expressing his vision for his future projects, Blondet says, “I’m drawn to capturing images of black fathers and minority fathers. I want to create portraits that are not just simple photographs but carry a unique aesthetic.” He adds that he’s still in the process of refining his approach and figuring out the nuances that will make his project stand out.

Portrait of Trevon Blondet. © Michael Young

Youth

Photo League

Middle

School

Lead Teaching

Artist:

STEPHANIE ESPINOZA

Teaching Artists:

LEA

IBRAGIMOV

ITZEL ROBLES

DANIELA LÓPEZ AMÉZQUITA

MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 STUDENT FEATURE

Nathalia Peña Lucas Rodriguez

Virginia Alexis

Justin Miller

Lanah Lopez

Zachariah Garcia

Jason Carchi

Anthony Aguilar

MIDDLE SCHOOL 2 STUDENT FEATURE

Noah Capote

Zureidy Mendez

Amani Moore

Ashley Garcia

Edward Colt III

Nadia Reyes-Rodriguez

Itzel Lopez

Jeremiah Thomas

Malachi Carnegie

Elisa Luna Cameron

The BDC has been a second home. With being a part of this community since 5th grade, I’ve been able to grow with the space and grow into who I am as a person.

I’ve experienced literally every BJPL class and wouldn’t trade this experience for the world. Even though I don’t plan to pursue photography as a career I adore it for my hobby. Processing film is my favorite form of meditation and all my teachers have made this such an unforgettable experience. I love you all so much. I can’t wait to come back and see the future years that’ll be able to experience the BJPL!

Thank you for everything.

Alexa Pacheco

I joined the Bronx Documentary Center at 12 years old in middle school. Now, as a 17 year old graduating high school, I am able to look back and know that joining was one of the best decisions of my life. As a student in the Youth Photo League, I was not only able to find my future career and passion but, I also found a community that watched me grow up and become my new family away from home. I was able to travel in and out of the country, work with established companies, and will be attending the Fashion Institute of Technology as a Photography major. I especially dedicate all my achievements to my teachers, mentors, and any other staff or volunteers I have talked to and who have listened to my various and relentless questions within my time as a YPL student. I have met some of the smartest and most interesting people who have made more impact on my life than they will ever know. My time at the BDC has shown me that I can do anything I set my mind to and I will be eternally grateful to them for that. Even though I am graduating, I will always be a BDC student and will be back with many, many, more questions, and for new learning experiences. I cannot wait to see what the future holds. Thank you to you all at the Bronx Documentary Center for making an impact on so many people’s lives, especially mine.

PUBLIC PROGRAMMING

LATIN AMERICAN FOTO FESTIVAL

FEATURING: Lalo de Almeida | Brazil • Manuel Almenares | Cuba • Lisandra Alvarez | Cuba • Santiago Billy | Guatemala • Alejandro Cegarra | Mexico • Fotokids | Guatemala • Magda Gibelli | Peru • Alí Marín | Mexico • Jorge Santiago | Mexico • Wara Vargas | Bolivia • Victor Zea | Peru

The Bronx Documentary Center (BDC) holds its 7th annual Latin American Foto Festival (LAFF) from July 11-28, featuring largescale photographs by both emerging and established, award-winning photographers. Their work will be displayed throughout the South Bronx’s Melrose neighborhood. This year, marking the 7th anniversary of LAFF, we will be expanding the Festival to five new locations in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn! As part of the Festival, the BDC will hold in-person workshops, tours, panel discussions, and other community events. Learn more at bronxdoc.org.

Wara Vargas

Alejandro Cegarra

Jorge Santiago

Ali Marin

Fotokids / Juan U. Sicay

Magda Gibelli

Lalo de Almeida

With Love Our Community’s Kitchens

Food is the heart of culture, joy, and identity. Our documentary, With Love, Our Community’s Kitchens focuses on three different restaurants that provide different ways of cooking for people, ranging from street vendors to dine-in restaurants. From La Morada’s authentic Indigenous Oaxaca Mexican restaurant that additionally serves as a mutual aid kitchen to the migrant population of the South Bronx, Bate’s comforting Senegalese and West African food, and Mama’s Kabobs, a business that provides American street food and grilled meat kebabs since 1968, each restaurant captures the essence of creativity, passion, and dedication that shined through each visit. This documentary strives to connect the past and present, especially with our visit to the Bronx Foodway, one of the only edible food forests in the Bronx, while also highlighting the beauty of community and connectivity with each dish and interaction in these spaces.

BDC YOUTH PHOTO LEAGUE’S VIDEO DOCUMENTARY PROGRAM

A new documentary by the BDC Youth Photo League’s Video Documentary Storytelling class.