Assembly Member Monique Chandler Waterman, who represents Assembly District 58 in Brooklyn, on Nov. 23, in partnership with I AmWondaWoman Foundation, LinkNYC, AD 58 Taskforce, and New York Public Schools, among others, distributed 600 turkeys to the neediest residents during an Annual Harvesting Health & Harmony Thanksgiving event at PS 135 on Linden Boulevard.
The lawmaker stood in the school’s gymnasium and patiently filled the carts of scores of elderly, families, and youths who showed up for a bird, thanks to the annual donation from legendary rapper Brooklyn born and bred Busta Rhymes and Special Ed, who, along with hype man William “Spiff Star” Lewis, later put on an exciting performance on the tarmac of PS 135, the school where both Assembly Member Chandler Waterman, Rhymes, and Ed, attended in the East Flatbush neighborhood.
“During the holiday season, sometimes people suffer from seasonal depression, while others mourn the loss of loved ones or have had trauma due to gun violence or maybe the political cycle that some weren’t too happy with. This event is about restoring hope and health and harvesting all these things together,” she said. “It’s not an I thing; it is a we thing. The blessings don’t stop.”
“We stand here together, united. The day started with a mental health workshop and a welcome to the black studies curriculum in New York City schools. We also want people to understand that it’s not only about giving a turkey physically. We think of you mentally, someone cares about you, and we love you,“ said the politician, who praised Busta Rhymes for entertaining the community.
Busta Rhymes came back home. He lived on Church Avenue and wanted to give back through a performance and Special Ed.
She thanked Frances Bates, president of LinkNYC, Dr. Meda Leacock, founder of the I AmWondaWoman Foundation, and NYC Chancellor Melissa Alves Ramos. “We are all here together,“ said Chandler-Waterman, who graduated from PS 135 and later became an educator at the institution.
The energetic politician who could be seen in the district consistently and who uses her mantra every step of the way- “it’s not an I thing, it’s a we thing,” noted that it was all about community and bringing everyone together, with the Block Association, stakeholders and many others,“ this is the school I attended,“ said the elected official, proudly boasting that she started her teaching career at PS 135, where her mother, her children, and her husband were all educated, and where they now run an afterschool program.
Assembly Member Chandler-Waterman added that the Annual Harvesting Health & Harmony Thanksgiving event was truly a community event and lauded DJ Kwesi Welch of Triple Alliance LLC, who attended PS 135 with her, for his service to the community.
“It was an honor for him to assist in hosting Busta Rhymes and Special Ed for the Turkey Giveaway and Community Concert.“
“The message was about wellness and reducing gun violence. DJing was a way to keep us engaged in positive activities when we were growing up.”
Triple Alliance DJs LLC was formed in 1999 and has since provided musical entertainment for weddings, corporate events, and private events in NYC and the tri-state area, she said.
She described the fully insured company as having an extensive musical library, a professional demeanor, and an energetic presentation. It aims to create unforgettable experiences and takes pride in providing exceptional services at affordable prices.
She also thanked Caribbean Life for coming out to shed a positive light on the district encompassing East Flatbush, Crown Heights, Canarsie, and Brownsville, which she proudly represents.
The Harvesting Health & Harmony event brought together NYC Public Schools, Office of the Student Pathway, D.R.U.M., CMS, NYC Crisis Management System, Phyto, Power Next Hydration, Crown Heights Lions, the NYPD Police Explorers, NYC Community Schools, 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, BE-U Black Edfluencers United, NYS of Opportunity, Office of Mental Health KAVI, Braata Productions, My Time Inc. North Node Therapy, Emblem Health MetroPlus Health, My Sister’s Keepers NYC, Tea with Teens, Superintendent of Brooklyn’s District 18, Celeste Terry, among others.
