On April 25th @webuildtheblock & @asapfoundation hosted a @bklynorg Volunteer Day, joining a borough-wide effort to uplift and support the nonprofits that strengthen Brooklyn’s communities.
During the event, 30 volunteers, including two We Build The Block particpants as volunteer Leads, came together to assemble over 1,000 fentanyl and xylazine test kits that were distributed to community members, program partners during the April Brownsville Safety Alliance.
Working side by side, volunteers helped advance critical efforts centered on safety, education, and access to life-saving tools.
The day also included an hour-long harm reduction training focused on drug education, drug testing demonstrations, and Narcan education and administration. The training was powerfully led by two of our revolutionary youth leaders & team members @dana_rachlin@itsallmind@zfromdagalaxy@badgirl_kt , who stepped into the role of educators and advocates, helping equip community members with practical, life-saving knowledge and resources and tools.
This day was a powerful reminder of what collective action looks like in real time community members showing up for one another with intention and care.
We’re grateful to everyone who dedicated their time and energy to this work and to Brooklyn Org for coordinating a day of borough wide impact.
Activists and public safety organizers Obi Afriye + Babe Howell held several incredibly informative workshops with our youth participants focusing on unlawful and biased gang policing, harassment and protective communication to stay safer. We are thankful for the @gangs_coalition + @naacp_ldf and the exceptional support they are providing to our youth and communities.
FREE Safer Drug Test Kits ✅❗️now available at @franklinpizzagpt ! (109 Franklin Street BKNY)
Test to make sure any substance(s) you may have are FENT free.
Best pizza, pasta, cakes, and even Alta’s famous Spanish plates. Pop in for the vibes, holler at Lou + grab a kit for you or a friend who might need it. 😉
Be SAFE!!! Be RESPONSIBLE!!!
#alwaysstriveandprosper #nocombo #nomixing #testyourdrugs harmreductionsaveslives
…
We are deeply saddened that
our loving, incredibly talented,
and beautiful John Forté
passed this week.
He transitioned on January 12, 2026
in his home on Martha’s Vineyard
at age 50, leaving behind two
beloved children, Wren Zazie Forté
and Haile Thayer Forté, along with
their mother Lara, his mother
Florene Forté, and sister Natasha Omar.
John will be deeply missed by
all of us — his family, friends, fans,
creative collaborators, and all
those he touched around the world.
In tribute to John, we invite you
to share your memories and posts
with us via /john.forte.pbe
Service and celebrations of life
to be announced soon.
.
.
. Photos courtesy of @peterkagan
.
. #johnforte #johnforté #peace
There js no better way to understand John Forte's legacy than hearing about him from fellow musicians. John opened up doors for me and many others. But nothing shines a light on his musical legacy like hearing it directly from the peers he influenced.
New York’s future depends on whether we are willing to build a public safety ecosystem that fully includes community. A recently published The Trace article makes clear what this future can look like and why community-led solutions must be central to it.
Organizations like We Build The Block demonstrate this every day. As WBTB Director of Operations Darryl Phillips notes, investments in lighting streets, activating blocks, and supporting youth are not alternatives to public safety, they are public safety. Sherrod Brothers, a graduate of WBTB’s Heal the Violence program, is living proof that when young people are met with opportunity, mentorship, and care, they become leaders.
The next era of leadership must follow the data, trust those closest to and experiencing the problem, and scale what is already working; moving beyond outdated policing rhetoric. A safer New York requires courage, compassion, and community at the center.
“We gotta learn how to use our heart!” — 2025 We Build The Block had its best year yet thanks to amazing staff, revolutionary participants, steadfast volunteers and gracious donors. We reached new goals, moved into a wonderful and new space, added new therapies and tenets to our programming and we are ready to do it all over again for 2026!
The Brownsville Safety Alliance (B.S.A.) is a community-based public health and safety initiative transforming how we care for one another. Through the coordinated efforts of crisis management teams, community responders, and city agencies, we have created a model that redirects 911 and 311 calls to trained specialists in violence interruption, substance use, domestic violence, and mental health—turning moments of crisis into opportunities for connection, healing, and stabilization.
Thanks to the donations and engagement of partners like Carhartt , B.IV.O., Help Roads, Clear, ASAP Foundation, Brooklyn Way, Rise Boro, BCCC, United Way, NYCEM, and many other care-focused l orgs - the Brownsville Safety Alliance has demonstrated the measurable impact of community-led safety models. Over five years of collaboration, our initiative has:
Maintained zero shootings during activations;
Achieved 78% resident confidence.
More than 15 city and state agencies and 40 community-based organizations.
Connected thousands of residents in real time to essential services including mental health care, housing, employment, youth empowerment, literacy and harm-reduction resources.
🎥@izakhaze
#bsa #communitysafety #brooklyn
New Frontiers: Storm King NY — Go on an adventure with some of the @webuildtheblock trailblazing participants and team members to the @stormkingartcenter an outdoor sculpture and art gallery with few walls, no restrictions, and all air.
Donate: webuildtheblock.org/donate
Yesterday’s @webuildtheblock healing circle + dog therapy was an uplifting experience. We were engaged, thoughtful and “Wave” the dog “therapist” was the best co-facilitator. Appreciate @kentonkirby for his lead and @nycemergencymanagement and @gooddogtherapy for giving us space, grace + therapeutic service. 💯🤲🏾⚡️
