PASTOR SHERRI BLACK

A
s pastor of The Way Church
of Christ I have been involved
in community and youth men-
toring for any number of years. While
I have been the pastor for nine years
my interaction with neighborhood
youth extends far beyond my position
as pastor.
I have made a habit of stopping and
speaking to young people on the street
that seem to be going astray. I usually
cause them to take inventory on their
own actions and weigh them against
the values that have been instilled in
them from family members, friends,
Church and basic upbringing. I have
found that most people do have a set
of positive values that they ascribe to
whether they abide by them or not.
Recently the Lord has been leading me
in the way of dealing with combating
gang and gun violence, gang member-
ship, the gang mindset as well as eco-
nomic empowerment in Brownsville.
I am greatly saddened by the statistics
regarding Black young people killing
one another as if it were a sport, young
men being disrespectful towards young
ladies, the HIV rate of new cases be-
ing highest in the nation, the high
rate of infant mortality and poverty in
Brownsville.
I know that we as a race of people have
been called to a higher way to live and
that we are well able to carry out this
mandate from on high. On April 14th
Youth Empowerment Through Real
Education (An auxiliary of The Way
Church of Christ) had an event in Betsy
Head Park entitled Brownsville Mat-
ters. This event spoke to the spiritual
condition of the neighborhood and the
fallout which results from dismissing
biblical teachings.
Then on April 21st we followed up with
an additional event entitled Browns-
ville Matters. This day spoke to the
economic situation of the neighbor-
hood and proposed meaningful resolu-
tions through a sense of community 18
and a community fund. the concept
is to group like-minded persons in busi-
ness to pool their resources becoming
shareholders in their own businesses
and receiving dividends until they are
in a position to branch off and do busi-
ness on their own.
This concept would carry over into
homeownership as well. The events
were attended by a number of com-
munity pastors, leaders, politicians
and community residents. Both events
were featured on the channel 12 news
as well as the June 2012 issue of the
love express Christian newspaper on
page 18.
Its Good to Be Saved
Every Knee Shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
President Barak Obama * Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. * Harriet Tubman * Jesse Jackson * King Tutankhamun
* John Legend * King Akhenaton * Jamie Foxx * Askia the Great Pastor * Donnie McClurkin * Malcolm X
* Steve Harvey * Halle Berry * George Washington Carver * Tyler Perry * Mayor Cory Booker * Denzel Washington
Your Name
God Created You for Greatness Reach Your FULL POTENTIAL
The Way h Church of Christ
June, July, August 2014 - brownsvillematters@gmail.com - Vol.: 1 No. 1
The Cross of Jesus Christ of Nazareth
Jesus is reaching out to save those who are willing to
come to him.
Whosoever will let him come.
COME AND MAGNIFY THE LORD WITH US
337 ROCKAWAY AVE
NEAR CORNER OF ENY AVE.
2-5PM
SUNDAY AFTERNOONS
Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall
A compelling Adult Gospel novel Purchase a copy today on Amazon.com to
support Brownsville Matters the organization that serves young people in our
community and beyond.
A portion of the proceeds will help to support our youth. Ages 12 22.
This endeavor will also help to support our prison ministry reaching all ages.
Ministers of
The Way Church of
Christ
Founding Pastor:
Elder Catherine Jackson,
Pastor Sherri Black,
Out of State Minister:
Evangelist Dr. Catherine
Jackson-Evans M.D.,
F.A.C.O.G.,
Youth Minister:
Najee Sherman Sawyers,
Assistant Pastor:
Evangelist Lisa Paul.
Brownsville
Matters
To The Heart
of God
TM
Page 2 June, July, August 2014 - brownsvillematters@gmail.com - Vol.: 1 No. 1
Who fooled you to think
that your brother is not your
brother?
Who imprinted in the defni-
tion of your souls the need to
destroy and to tear down?
Why do you seek to spill your
brothers blood?
You call yourselves Bloods
and Crips but in the end all are
bleeding blood and limping
away crippled or even lying
dead.
Stop living your lives as if
they are not gifts from a loving
God.
There was a time when those
who hated your souls would
shed your blood in the streets
and there was no consequence
to pay. But today you pay
by spending precious time
that you can never get back;
away from your loved ones in
prisons prepared for you based
on the failure rate in the third
grade.
Today hardly anyone comes
from the outside to kill you
my brothers and sisters when
compared to years ago.
No need for that. Bloods and
Crips are on auto-pilot to kill
from within.
Again, who turned you at odds
with one another?
How can you ever win; when
you are your own enemy?
Pr o t e c t - Re s p e c t -
Elevate
Black men are needed in the
homes and on the streets to
protect, respect and elevate the
Black woman and our youth.
If Black men fail to blaze the
trails which we need to walk
down then who will take up
the slack? For too many years
the answer has been Black
women.
Black women are known to
be strong and sassy; I wonder
why? They are strong because
they fll Black Churches and
pray for a better day; when
Black men would take their
rightful position and lead the
way.
Theyre sassy because they
feel as though no one can tell
them what to do after leading
the way through troubled
times.
In our homes Black men are far
too often just not there. Their
minds have been polluted to
get as many baby mamas as
they can; leaving behind a
string of angry, confused, hurt
and broken children. Then we
send them to school wonder-
ing why they dont do better.
On our streets Black men dont
rule. The police do because
our Black men fail to police
themselves and our commu-
nity. When Black men stand
up and police their own the
police which stand on all four
corners of our streets will no
longer need to be employed.
The jails and prisons are burst-
ing at the seams with our young
men and even older men. Even
in prison you fght against one
another making your own time
of incarceration harder than it
needs to be.
Prison guards run to gang
style fghting where brothers
shank one another. There was
a time when we all cried out
Say it Loud, Im Black and
Im Proud. Today we just cry
as we bury our dead and shake
our heads; marching on to an-
other day flled with violence
and unrest.
Youre Better Than
That
Im a preacher but it has to be
said, Black men are not only
calling Black women bees and
hoes but they are treating them
like bees and hoes. Many
Black men refuse to marry and
persuade black women to set-
tle for less. Its commonplace
to hear of young boys running
trains on young girls.
Women are treated like pass
along packs where they are
passed off to a friend when
the frst second and third one
is done with her. Our women
have the task of looking for a
good Black man like a needle
in a haystack. Many of our
women have low self-esteem
and accept any kind of treat-
ment just as long as they feel
loved.
Brownsville Statistics
The land mass of Brownsville
is quite small. Yet it holds
over one hundred housing
project buildings. It has been
#1 in the nation for new cases
in HIV, its infant mortality rate
rivals 3rd world countries, the
death rate through shootings is
off the scale and we are con-
sumers more so than produc-
ers. But the greatest problem
is loss of life. We have to fx
this ourselves with the help of
God.
Self-Value is Every-
thing
When you know your value
you wont sell out low to the
devil. You will say no to drugs,
alcohol, guns, gang member-
ship and violent activities.
A gang never saved any one.
Joining a gang greatly increas-
es your chances of becoming
incarcerated or going to an
early grave. The body is ca-
pable of great and magnifcent
feats if you would only nurture
it. The brain alone can surpass
anything that a computer can
do
Honor the body that God has
given to you and commit
yourself to never destroying
the body of another. You cant
give life Dont take life.
An Open Letter to the Bloods and Crips
OH MAGINFY THE LORD WITH ME AND LET US EXALT HIS NAME TOGETHER.
Psalm 34:3 Every time that
you kill a Brother; you kill a
dream. Every time that you
kill a dream; you create a
nightmare for those who are
left behind. Every time that
you create a nightmare you
become a little less human.
Think about it.
Gangs are not the only ones
who are recruiting in Browns-
ville. Churches are too. In fact
we have been recruiting since
Jesus said; Go ye therefore
and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost. Matthew 28:19
And the lord said unto the serv-
ant, Go out into the highways
and hedges, and compel them
to come in, that my house may
be flled. Luke 14:23
When nobody else cares; God
cares. God will always love
you whether you do good or
whether you do wrong. And
this same God will welcome
those who do his will into a
heavenly home prepares for
his saints. But those who
choose by their own will to
follow their own way which
is evil; he has prepared eternal
torment in the lake of fre.
Choose ye this day whom ye
will serve.
Phone: (347) 447-2244
E-Mail: brownsvillematters@gmail.com
Blog: pastorsherriblack.wordpress.com
Letters to the Editor
Pastor Sherri Black is the editor of this newspaper and the pastor of The Way Church of Christ
in Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York.
She reserves the right to publish only what she considers to be benefcial to the body of Christ
and to African descendants at large.
Write to the Editor of this newspaper: brownsvillematters@gmail.com
If you have community news that is relevant to African descendants that you would like to
submit for consideration of being published; write us and we will be in contact with you asap.
Brownsville
Matters
To The Heart
of God
TM
Page 3 June, July, August 2014 - brownsvillematters@gmail.com - Vol.: 1 No. 1
Time For Change
Bloods and Crips: How
long will our neighborhoods
be ravaged and destroyed
because you have little to no
self-control?
What about your mother, what
about your father, What about
your brother, what about your
sister, what about your chil-
dren and your grandparents?
Is there anyone on this earth
that means enough to you to
make things right?
Throw down your guns, drugs
and drinking and lets build
our neighborhoods. Pick up
a book, inspire a child, lend
a helping hand to the elderly,
go to church, start a business,
mentor a friend, become the
answer to someone elses
problem.
Put your God given abilities to
use in a meaningful way.
We all came out of Africa as
one. In oneness there is unity
and strength.
It was that strength and unity
that enabled us to make it to
this land over the treacherous
seas in horrendous traveling
conditions. It was then that we
were so very able to recognize
our enemy.
How is it now that the enemy
has become ourselves?
Outside opposition always
seeks to divide and conquer.
Identifying ourselves as
Bloods and Crips makes such
division possible. Now such
division has given birth to a
new generation of Hoodstars
and Flyguys to wreak another
generation of tyranny from
within on the Black commu-
nity.
Its time to wake up and love
your own. Stop making Black
mothers shed tears as they
bury their children at the hands
of their neighbors child. Bot-
tom line is we kill one another
because were ignorant and
dont fear God.
We are ignorant of the pos-
sibilities that could be realized
by such a nation as ourselves
if we would only use our crea-
tive ability to build and not to
tear down.
When we begin to build in our
inner city neighborhoods, we
will become an unprecedented,
unstoppable force.
Its evident that we dont fear
God by the lack of respect
for our elderly, lack of self-
respect, and lack of reading the
Bible and attending Church
services.
Arent you tired of being the
problem and not the solution?
Make a responsible decision
today. Trust Jesus to be your
Savior and stop trying to save
yourself; its not working.
John 3:16 For God so loved
the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not
perish, but have everlasting
life.
Romans 10:9-10 That if thou
shalt confess with thy mouth
the Lord Jesus, and shalt
believe in thine heart that God
hath raised him from the dead,
thou shalt be saved. For with
the heart man believeth unto
righteousness; and with the
mouth confession is made unto
salvation.
God Can Save Anybody
Prayer of Salvation: Father
God I confess that I am a sin-
ner. I believe that Christ died
for my sins and that you raised
him from the dead that I might
live.
I ask that you forgive me of
my sin and cleanse me from
all unrighteousness with the
blood of Jesus that was shed
for me on Calvarys cross.
Now fll me with the precious
gift of the Holy Ghost as I in-
vite you into my heart to stay.
In Jesus name I pray. Amen
No sinner can out-sin the
forgiveness of God. Its never
too late. God will save you
from your sin and from the lies
that have been told to you by
the world and even yourself.
That lie is that you dont need
God and you can make it on
your own.
How many Black youth need
to die before we begin to
understand that we need God?
Choose Christ and live.
Its
Good
To
Be
Saved.
UPGRADE YOUR LIFE BY
FOLLOWING JESUS
Health Benefts of Ginger:
Boosts Immune System
Stress Reliever
Healthy Blood Circula-
tion
Reduces Infammation
Fights Respiratory
Problems
Ginger can be used to
Treat:
Colic
Flatulence
Upset Stomach
Diarrhea
Cough
Bronchitis
Asthma Symptoms
Upper Respiratory
Infections
Motion Sickness
Morning Sickness
Menstrual Cramps
Arthritis
Muscle Pain From
Exercise
Migraines
High Blood Pressure
Liver Damage
Colon Infammation
Ovarian Cancer
Nausea And Vomiting
After Surgery Or Cancer
Treatment
Health Corner
Ginger
The frst healthy food we will discuss is ginger. Ginger is a
herb that has been used for thousands of years because of its
great health benefts.
Ginger comes in many forms including fresh, ground, and
candied. Ginger originated in South East Asia and spread
through different parts of the world such as China, India and
Europe.
In these parts of the world ginger is used as medicine as well
as to add favor to dishes that may be sweet or savory.
Ginger contains over twenty vitamins and minerals including
Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Choline, Magnesium, and Potassium.
For fresh ginger tea combine two cups of water with a one
inch piece of peeled and thinly sliced ginger. Place in a small
pot and bring to a boil. You can also add lemon, and mint.
Stop and Frisk By Rosemarie Moore Morell
I have two sons. When each turned twelve
years old, I sat them down to tell them how to
act if stopped by cops. I said, Be meek, not
bold. Dont get indignant, even if the fact is
that youve done nothing wrong. Lift up your
hands and just respond, Yes Sir. (Like Rod-
ney Kings Can we all get along? Today some
things still are the way they were).
Be calm. Dont roll your eyes, or cringe in
shame. When questioned, speak in tones clear
as a bell. In time, the cops will ask your par-
ents name. At that point say, Offcer Morell.
Though sometimes theres just cause for Stop
and Frisk, Should every Black man always be
at risk? Until his retirement, my husband was a
hospital police offcer. He is now a pastor.
Brownsville
Matters
To The Heart
of God
TM
Page 4 June, July, August 2014 - brownsvillematters@gmail.com - Vol.: 1 No. 1
Project Revitalization
Projects (Low Income Housing) are
known for a lot of things and most of
them are not positive. We have the
power to change that. Marcus Mosiah
Garvey said Up! You mighty race;
you can accomplish what you will.
Things that we can do to change from
negative to positive Have pride in
the place that you live
Stop peeing on the elevators where el-
derly people, babies in strollers and our
handicapped have to ride on. Besides
its the frst impression that visitors
have of your home. If youre not pee-
ing on the foor in your apartment you
shouldnt be peeing on the elevator
foor either.
Choose your enemies wisely
When the enemy is within; life is set up
for failure. No branch of the military
forces could ever be successful if they
fought amongst themselves. The true
enemies that we ought to be fghting
are poverty, ignorance, and isolation.
You are better than that
People will see you as you see yourself.
If you see yourself as less than; your
actions will follow. If you think of
yourself as equal to; your actions will
follow. And if you think of yourself as
better than that; likewise your actions
will follow.
Have self-respect and honor your
upbringing
Disrespectful language- Either you
control it or it will control you. Get
a dictionary and a thesaurus; you will
fnd that there are so many words that
you have never used that you will never
have a need for foul language again.
Display intelligence, not ignorance.
Intelligence looks good on you. In-
ward ugliness spoils outward beauty
and renders it ineffectual. I remember
a day when young people wouldnt
even think of cussing in the presence
of their elders.
Today it is common place and accepted
without reprimand. Foul language has
been given to our youth as a poison that
they drink and we stand by and watch
as they drink it down and die inwardly.
Language use displays your character.
Take heed to the way that you use it.
Everyday people are trying to fgure
out how we can have effective gun
control. I admonish you that it is not
about gun control but heart control.
When a man has his heart in the hands
of the Lord, you can place a gun in his
hands and he will place the decisions
that he makes in the hands of the Lord.
He will understand that after the gun
destroys the body there is still a spirit
to deal with.
Bullets never bring relief. They are
never the answer to a problem. Let
Brownsville live If my people who
are called by my name would humble
themselves and pray 2 Chronicles
7:14
Its never too late to pray. Its never
too late to trust god. Its never too late
for god to forgive you of you sin. Its
never too late to be saved. As long as
there is life there is hope
Its time for the community to move
from knowing that we need to love
one another to actually loving one
another. Its time for young people
to understand that life is precious
and a gift from god. Its time for our
people to no longer fll the prisons
and depend on others to lend us a
helping hand. When we trust god
we will become self-suffcient and
producers more so than consumers.
Find Purpose In Life And Go After
It
Drug use and sales walk hand in hand.
One cannot survive without the other.
Refuse to participate at either end,
because youre better than that. God
has gifted every human being with
purpose. When youre focused on your
purpose you dont have time for drug
addiction and alcohol abuse. Make
every day count for something and live
a life that you can be proud of when
you stand before the Lord Jesus Christ
in that Great day.
The Prison
Connect - Contact
While our communities make up an
overwhelming percentage of the prison
population in New York State prisons;
we as a people have sometimes been
guilty of forgetting them until their
release dates.
As a people we still owe our impris-
oned a debt of love. Im asking that
you would take the time out to reach
out to these brothers in the Prison
Connect, and I hope to add sisters as
well in the next issue of Brownsville
Matters to the Heart of God.
Naked and ye clothed me: I was sick,
and ye visited me: I was in prison, and
ye came unto me. Matthew 25:36
Pastor Sherri Black
Robert Van Ness
DIN # 06-A-1681
Auburn Correctional Facility P.O. Box
618
Auburn, New York 13024
Date of Birth: 10/14/1971
Height: 62 Weight: 216 lbs
Religion: African Meth Epis/Baptist
Seeking Marriage
My name is Robert. Im 42 years old.
Im serving time for a crime that I did
not do. Im a Christian and I read a lot.
Im the son of a former First lady and a
pro-football player. Im divorced with
no children. At times I get depressed
about being alone and life.
My journey in prison is hard. There
are days when I wish life would end
but God gets me though; I dont know
how but he does, Ive been abused in
prison by inmates and prison guards.
At times I blame my African American
sisters and wonder why couldnt I be
loved and where is that person to love
me?
But God has been my only good thing
about prison. I still battle with hurt
and the death of my parents and being
alone. But I get by with Gods love.
I believe in God and his Son Jesus
Christ. I believe in no sex before
marriage. I believe in everything the
Bible says. I study the Bible to learn
about the topics of the Bible that Jesus
died for my sins. There is no way but
through my Lord and Savior.
Desmond Cunningham
DIN # 93-A-6866
Woodburne Correctional Facility P.O.
Box 1000
Woodbourne, New York 12788-1000
Date of Birth: 6/8/1964
Height: 58 Weight: 175 lbs
Religion: Protestant Seeking Friend-
ship/Marriage
Are you tired of not being appreci-
ated or loved? Or just willing to take
a blessed opportunity on a very good
man? Well try me!
If you like to be cherished, Im your
man that can be sensual to your heart
and soul. Im seeking a sincere, ma-
ture lady.
Im single, kind, faithful, disease free,
spiritual minded and a body builder.
Im Cuban and Jamaican. I love Jesus.
Race, weight, religion, economics nor
culture matter to me. Write me and
well talk.
David Bowman
DIN # 06-A-0094
Upstate Correctional Facility P.O. Box
2001
Malone, New York 12953 Date of
Birth: 12/19/1983
Height: 60 Weight: 165 lbs
Religion: Higher Spirituality Seeking
Companionship
I am family oriented and business
minded. I enjoy reading, writing and
working out. Also I fnd immense
gratifcation when Im cooking food
and baking cakes.
Im looking for a friend that is mature,
independent, and open-strong minded.
Someone that I can trust to always be
honest with me. She doesnt believe in
limitations but strive to exceed normal
barriers and explore the immeasurable
possibilities.
Under any circumstance, Im interested
in a grown woman who knows how to
treat a grown man and acknowledge
and appreciate the reciprocation gra-
ciously with a sense of self-esteem,
self-love and self-worth. God bless
you.
Travis Weston
DIN # 00-A-0358
Upstate Correctional Facility
P.O. Box 2001
Malone, New York 12953
Date of Birth: 2/24/1979
Height: 63 Weight: 225 lbs
Religion: Christian Seeking a single
female 28 and older
Hello readers, please allow me to
introduce myself. My name is Travis
Weston. I am a born again Christian
brother currently incarcerated. Im in
prison for a mistake that Ive made in
my immature years of life.
Ive been in prison now for 15 years of
my life. And Im down to my last year
in prison. I got saved back in 2002.
Ive been serving an amazing God for
12 years now.
Im a mature male now still learning;
God is still working on me. Ive come
a long way from a 19 year old male
till a 35 year old man.
Im a tall dark skinned man days a
week. I love to read Gods word and
positive education books. I enjoy writ-
ing letters.
I am seeking a Christian sister who
doesnt mind taking a chance on a man
in a place like this. Thanks for reading
this.
More Prison Connect on page 12
Brownsville
Matters
To The Heart
of God
TM
Page 5 June, July, August 2014 - brownsvillematters@gmail.com - Vol.: 1 No. 1
Sealy Cuyler Funeral Home is prominently positioned in Crown Heights as a
beacon to those in need of comfort and closure.
Beautifully decorated front entrance
which begins a path of class and style
unrivaled by area funeral homes.
Just one representation of cultural
wall hangings
Black Women
Making History in Brooklyn
In Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, New
York at 1084 Pacifc Street between
Franklin and Classon Avenues; I sat
down to talk with two lovely, purposed
and businesslike Black women who
also happen to be children of the Most
High God. Maria Sealy and Renaye
Cuyler Esq. are both owners of Sealy
Cuyler Funeral Home LLC. Together
they made history by being the frst two
Black women to build from the ground
up a state-of-the art funeral home in
rare fashion and design.
As you approach the building which
sits on a residential block, it stands
out as something that is grand and
attractive to the eye. As you enter the
building immediately you notice that it
doesnt have that run of the mill funeral
parlor look or feel.
This building is warm and homey in
style and design. Its island deep-sea
green colored walls are comforting
and inviting; which is a refection of
who these women of style and passion
really are. But it goes far beyond the
color scheme. This facility is deeply
entrenched with cultural painting
and wall hanging which speak to our
heritage and value system. Entering the
doors of Sealy Cuyler Funeral Home
can be said to be an experience.
Sealy Cuyler Funeral Home is a much
needed facility in the Black community.
One of the endeavors of this article is
to rally the masses of our community
to support the efforts of our own.
This funeral home is not only equal to,
but far exceeds the expectations that
one may have in their time of sorrow. I
have witnessed many a time when our
people have been put away having been
made up by people who fail to under-
stand our cultural heritage; resulting in
an unnatural look of the loved one that
has passed away.
Maria Sealy has a background in
cosmetics that preceded her career as
a Funeral Director. Its time that we
support our own in their efforts and
accomplishments. They also have
a variety of services that they offer
which include seminars at Churches,
and places of gathering to prepare our
people for death and dying before be-
ing caught unawares by death. You can
visit their facility or give them a call
prior to being in a time of mourning.
(718) 230-3812 or 3817
Im flled with joy to see that two Black
women got together and did what you
did. I am very, very proud. Ms. Cuyler
says that it is only because of the Lord
that they were able to do it. There is
an interview on the internet that they
did with the Brooklyn Museum they
have also done seminars on burial and
death at the Brooklyn Library and they
interviewed with the Womens Busi-
ness Network.
Renaye Cuyler Esq. explains, We fnd
that one of the challenges in the funeral
parlor business is to capture people of
color who use the services of others out
in Central Brooklyn. Some of that is
historical. But there is a lot of competi-
tion. Ms. Sealy and I are going into our
eighth year. Weve begun to see some
repeat families. We need some help
from the Churches and the community
to use us more often. Were willing to
come out to Churches and do a talk
that I do called Getting Your House
In Order. And were willing to go to
peoples homes to make arrangements
and make ourselves available on an as
needed basis.
We need to publicize our existence
more. Were trying to budget to in-
crease our advertising. We try to do
good work and were rather old fash-
ioned, traditional, and people still look
for that in funeral service. Occasionally
we have young families who want to
have the motorcycles and stuff in the
procession. But people who come here
that are not churched can do whatever
they want. They dont have to follow
the standard funeral service.
There are also funeral directors who
use our space; the chapels for services,
to prepare their bodies, because they
dont own a building. Brooklyn is
full of funeral services that dont own
buildings. Ms. Sealy and I both have
entrepreneurial backgrounds. Maria
Sealy states, Ive been in this since
1986. We had to own our own building
and do our own thing. Ms. Cuyler
adds, Because I really dont think that
Im employable anymore. And she had
her own business back in 1989 in the
Bahamas. Down there her grandpar-
ents were shop owners and so on. My
grandfather was a funeral parlor owner
in Virginia. It operated actually out of
his home. He also owned a store, did
carpentry, and he did everything to
take care of a family of 13. My mother
is one of 13.
I never thought that I would be inter-
ested in funeral service until Ms. Sealy
asked me; Have you ever thought
about going into funeral service? Then
I said Ummm Let me study it for a
while. So I studied it and I realized that
out of all the family owned businesses
in our community; it has been one of
the most successful. It also has sur-
vived big corporate buy out, because a
lot of funeral parlors have been brought
out by corporations. Black owned and
Hispanic owned funeral homes have
tended not to sell out; because its a
good business.
Funeral service is a 60,000 year old
art form. Its not going anywhere. It
may change in terms of how people go
about it.
Theyre doing a lot more cremations
but everybody will always need to take
time to mourn their dead and to cel-
ebrate the lives of the people they love.
We opened up in the heart of the worst
economic crisis since 1929. So we do
it even when sometimes people dont
have money. Theyre not prepared for
death. But I can guarantee you one
thing. Everyone is going to die.
As a lawyer not only do I talk about
legalities since I am a funeral director
I also talk about funeral and burial
arrangements. I talk about things like
wills, living wills, healthcare proxy,
powers of attorney and basically
organizing your life before death. I
usually do like a twenty minute talk.
Then I open it up for questions. I fnd
that people have a lot of questions and
want to get them in. Then I talk about
having the basic funeral policy to cover
your burial and funeral arrangements.
Continued on page 13.
By Pastor Sherri Black
Owners and Funeral Directors Renaye
Cuyler Esq. and Maria Sealy of Sealy
Cuyler Funeral Home
Brownsville
Matters
To The Heart
of God
TM
Page 6 June, July, August 2014 - brownsvillematters@gmail.com - Vol.: 1 No. 1
Brownsville
Matters
To The Heart
of God
TM
Page 7
Poems of Inspiration and Prophecy is a book of poems which touches on everyday
life situations which we all go through. It is a reassurance from the Lord that no
matter how big or small the situation, he will see us through.
CARLA EDWARDS was born the last of six children to Robert and Catherine
Jackson in Brooklyn, New York. She became a nurse at eighteen, working at
various skilled nursing homes, then moving on to a Brooklyn hospital. She is a
mother to three beautiful children. This is her frst book.
Buy your copy today from:
barnesansnoble.com, amazon.com, or
crossbooks.com
June, July, August 2014 - brownsvillematters@gmail.com - Vol.: 1 No. 1
W
hile we always hear of what incarceration
is costing tax payers; we hardly ever hear
of how much it is benefting government
on every level and a capitalist society. The enslave-
ment of people of color has always been a lucrative
deal for this countrys economy. The playing feld has
never been level and as a Christian I dont expect that
it ever will be on this side of eternity. However, there
are some things that we can do about todays modern
slavery-an ever growing population of prisoners that
we could not do about slavery of yesteryears.
Today slavery has taken on another form. By now it
should be common knowledge that the prison system
in this country mimics slavery in a myriad of ways.
The posting of bail places Blacks in this country on
the slave block to be purchased on a daily basis. Ne-
groes are still being purchased. For-proft prisons are
being opened by companies and people are purchas-
ing stock to position themselves to receive a food
of fnance off the backs of our people. This is why
mass incarceration exists today. Phone companies
are making money hand over fst for a few minutes
on the phone with a loved one. Failing farmers are
now employed as prison guards in upstate prisons.
This is the reason that we have to travel so far to visit
our loved ones. And today beds are being prepared
in prisons based on the third grade failure rate. So if
your child failed the third grade; they have a prison
bed waiting for him or her.
In light of todays mass incarceration let us view the
similarities between slavery and prison.
Slavery- Separated individuals from their fami-
lies
Prison- Separates individuals from their families
Slavery- Had rules against Blacks congregating
Prison- Has rules against prisoners congregating
Slavery- Set overseers in place to insure that the
slaves were working hard and not escaping
Prison- Sets correction offcers in place to insure
that the prisoners are following the rules and not
escaping.
Slavery- Slave hunters went into African nations
to capture the young and the strong.
Prison- Police hunt on the streets of our commu-
nities to capture the young and the strong.
Slavery- Slaves were shackled with chains on the
wrists and ankles.
Prison- Prisoners are shackled with chains on the
wrists and ankles.
Slavery- Slaves were not allowed to vote in the
electoral process.
Prison- Many prisoners are not allowed to vote in
the electoral process.
Slavery- Provided a workforce of cheap labor
which only needed to be fed and shabbily shel-
tered.
Prison- Provides a workforce of cheap labor
which only needs to be fed and shabbily shel-
tered.
Slavery- Had Cruel punishments like being beat.
Prison- Has cruel punishments like being put in
the hole or solitary confnement.
Slavery- Many were raped.
Prison- Many are raped.
Slavery- Many Overseers were cruel and not a
help.
Prison- Many Correction Offcers are cruel and
not a help.
Solution to the problem of mass incarceration
Parents must instill in our children that they are to
avoid incarceration right along with learning their
ABCs. We must require Black men to self-police.
Any time that someone does not have self-control,
they will always be controlled by an outside force.
Black men must police our own. You are the force
that God has set in place to lead the way; not the
police! Black men must get away from the mind-set
of chasing skirts and learn to settle down and become
family men protecting and respecting their wife and
children. Everything rides on the backs of the Black
men. You are our only hope aside from Jesus Christ
coming down and setting up his kingdom in a new
heaven and a new earth. God set the man at the head
of the family. When the family is out of order, the
community is out of order and then the city is out of
order. It spreads like wildfre. But likewise, when the
family is in order, the community is in order, and then
the city is in order. The foundation must be sure.
Black women have been acting as head of household
long enough. We must teach our children the right
way which is Gods way. There is no such thing as an
alternative family. Gods law cannot be adjusted by
man. It has been evidenced by the state of our youth
being caught up in a relentless system that shows very
little mercy that we need to go back to the standards
which were frst delivered to our ancestors. How can
we ever be a community that is in order with all of
the ones that God has positioned to be head of house
being locked away? This is an evil plan of the enemy;
the enemy which is Satan and the enemy which is
government; looking to fulfll its greedy plan to suc-
ceed at the expense of someone elses labor.
Up ye mighty race Everyone has realized our worth
except for ourselves. We are more than valuable. We
are the builders of this country that everyone calls
great. We are the builders from slavery and even up
until now. Isnt it time that we build a strong nation
that is our own that we can be proud of? Say no to
prison and let us get busy with the process of nation
building within our communities. We are a mighty
nation. It is for this cause that others have devised
so many plans to impede our progress. Think about
it and get busy building. If you are a man that has no
contact with your children; it time for change. Think
about it and be blessed.
By Pastor Sherri Black and Askia Royes
Slavery Has Always Been A Cash Cow
Likewise the New Slavery Yields a Constant Cash Flow
Brownsville
Matters
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Brownsville
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Page 9 June, July, August 2014 - brownsvillematters@gmail.com - Vol.: 1 No. 1
Pastor Black and Curator Miriam
Robertson
Life sized replica of Nelson Mandela
seated at a table
Caribbean portrait and artifacts
Sample of doll collection
Brownsville Has Culture
In the midst of all the turmoil in the
Brownsville section of Brooklyn stands
a gem to be beheld. Hardly publicized
is a cultural center open to the public
on Saturdays from 12 to 6pm. Miriam
Robertson is the curator and on hand to
welcome all who have an adventurous
nature.
The Brownsville Heritage House is
the gem that I speak of. You can fnd
it on the second foor of the Stone Av-
enue Branch of the Brooklyn, Public
Library.
The address is 581 Mother Gaston
Boulevard corner of Dumont Avenue,
Brooklyn, New York 11212. The phone
number is (718) 385-1111 fax 1113.
The street name of the location was
changed from Stone Avenue to Mother
Gaston Boulevard in honor of Mother
Rosetta Gaston who instituted the
Brownsville Heritage House. She
passed away at the age of 96, just one
month before the doors opened to a
place of multi-cultural heritage which
she had founded.
I interviewed Miriam Robertson, the
curator of Brownsville Heritage House
on a Saturday afternoon. A cultural
class was being held in the background
during the interview. First I must note
that Miriam Robertson is a very pleas-
ant soft spoken sister who leads with
style and grace. Miriam starts out with,
Brownsville Heritage House has been
in existence for thirty years now. It was
started by Mother Rosetta Gaston. She
came to the Brownsville community in
her later years. She thought that young
people should have something and
wanted to pass knowledge down to
them. So what she did was to begin to
teach them their heritage. She started
in her home. Mother Gaston had a
place on Livonia Ave called the Red
Door. She was a prodigy of Carter G.
Woodson.
On display there is a church made out
of cardboard. This was made as part
of a recycling lesson utilizing cor-
rugated cardboard to make a model
of a building. This church is complete
with angels and choir members sing-
ing. My predecessor Patricia Deans
was into recycling and Dennis Thomas
made this display of a church utilizing
corrugated cardboard.
We do also have some artifacts that are
not on display, which are kept in stor-
age. We have a lot of things. We try to
change up the exhibits.
Q. Do you have any schools that come
in to see the exhibits?
A. Well, the group that you see here to-
day is because we are trying to start up
a mentoring program. These children
are trying to fnd out what they want to
do. Maybe make a comic book or do a
play. There is an art teacher that comes
in on Saturdays.
Q. Are the children that normally come
here from area schools; or do they
come through the library, or what?
A. Actually the young lady that is
teaching recruited some children
through the library. Then she also puts
up fyers and recruits that way. But we
do have a connection with the schools.
I have only heard of the Brownsville
Heritage House as recent as three years
ago.
Really?
Yes I didnt frequent this branch of
the library because I used to go to the
main branch at Grand Army Plaza. So
it wasnt common for me to be here.
And when I found out about it I was
like wow! I couldnt believe that the
Heritage House had all of this rich
culture and that I didnt know about it.
Well to let you know, when the Herit-
age House frst started, it didnt have
all of this. But we had a lot of programs
that were going on. The creator of the
Beacon program that you see city-
wide; that idea came out of the Herit-
age House.
The idea was that we wanted to go
into the schools especially in our area
and be open to the children to do after-
school. So thats one of the things that
we started. We used to put on a lot of
productions. There was photography
here, drama, dance, poetry, and all of
that was hosted outside in the district
schools. We didnt do it here. Then
over the years things have changed.
Changes came about such as the board,
funding, and then renovations; for
about fve years. I think we came back
here in 2004. So, we have been back
in this building for about ten years. So,
now were in a re-branding stage. We
want our patrons to come back to us.
Then there will be more programs that
we will start putting back into place.
Weve kept our art program going
every Saturday. Were open from 12-
2pm theres art as well as crocheting,
quilting and knitting.
The art class cateres to children from
age 12 and up. There is a mixture. We
want our seniors as well as our young
adults. We want them to interact with
one another.
The mission of Heritage House is inter-
generational communication between
the young and the old. The young gain
wisdom from the elders. We try to keep
those traditions and pass them on.
Another thing that I wanted to know
is, does the Heritage House have other
branches outside of Brownsville? No
this is the only branch. As you said; you
didnt know that we were here. So, its
kind of like a well-kept secret. But like
I said before; we are in the re-branding
stage. Not only is the Brownsville area
getting reacquainted with us, but were
also traveling into other communities
as well. Were letting them know that
we are here. So, please come and visit
us.
In closing I must restate that Miriam
Robertson is one of the most pleasant
people that you can hope to meet. Give
her a call and fnd out when it is a good
time to come by with your family or
group. Enough is said about the atroci-
ties in Brownsville.
The Brownsville Heritage House has
been said to be a hidden treasure. Lets
shout it from the rooftops so that all
can know that there is a shining star in
Brownsville. This experience in cul-
ture is open to the young and old. This
special place is situated in Brownsville
but its effects can be as far reaching
as people are willing to come from to
become more richly cultivated in the
multi-cultural experience that you will
fnd here.
Hours of operation are on Saturdays
from 12-6pm. During the week appoint-
ments can be scheduled. Events can
be scheduled as well. Workshops are
held every last Monday of the month.
An eight week summer program will
be held where young people can learn
about science and technology, math
and literacy. Donations are accepted.
Brownsville Heritage House shall no
longer be known as a hidden treasure
in Brownsville. Now it is time to bring
your children and family members out
to experience such a rich culture that
belongs to our community, wherever
we live.
When you come through the door,
immediately you get the feel of being
in a museum as you are surrounded by
grand and small cultural trappings in
the form of prominently placed murals,
photos, paintings and sculptures. The
tallest most elegant giraffe greets you
at the entrance of this grand cultural
center. And then your history begins.
All thanks to a lovely woman named
Mother Rosetta Gaston with a vision
and a dream. Make famous the name:
Brownsville Heritage House.
By Pastor Sherri Black
Classes
are always
free.
Brownsville
Matters
To The Heart
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Brownsville
Matters
To The Heart
of God
TM
Page 11
BR0WNSVILLE PULSE:
A Good Day
by Rhonda Jackson
Melvin rolls over from his left side to
his right. He pulls the sheet up over his
head, draws up his legs and assumes a
fetal position.
Melvin falls back to sleep, a light sleep,
waking to the sounds of the street. A
horn blowing, the sound of children
playing, a baby crying, a woman
screaming loudly, you kids get from
under my window, you woke the baby
up. Add to that, the neighbors dog
begins to bark loudly, a deep, deep an-
noying bark!
Melvin thinks to himself, thats it,
no more sleeping this morning. The
frustrated teen sits up, swings his legs
around to the foor. Suddenly it dawns
on him today is my birthday. He tries
his voice for the frst time this morning,
oh yeah, oh yeah, turn up.
Springing up from his sitting position,
he begins to feel a little rhythm in his
legs. Stepping back and making a spin-
ning motion he begins to get light to
an imaginary beat. He dances around
the room for a while, responding to the
adrenaline pumping.
The good mood continuing, he dances
his way into the livingroom where his
mother has her praise music playing.
Knowing hed better make his switch
quickly, he ejects the praise CD and
smoothly slips one of his own in the
player. The artist shouts out a few cuss
words in rapid cessation to a banging
beat.
Melvin!!! Turn that flthy music off
and put my CD back in, right now!
Melvin says oh come on Ma, today is
....,
Mom jumps in, fnishing for him I
know, I know. Happy birthday to you,
happy birthday to you.... in a sing
songy voice. She comes out of her
bedroom, into the livingroom where
her son is standing, blocking her path-
way to the CD player. He places one
hand on Moms shoulder and the other
at her waist, dancing her about, hoping
she will be distracted.
His moms begins to laugh saying boy
turn that garbage down some, youre
not tricking me. I dont want anybody
thinking Im playing that stuff. Since
its your birthday, Ill let you play it for
a little while. Looking up at him, she
notices hes towering over her. Releas-
ing Mom, he dances over to the player
and turns it down one notch.
Mom decides to let him get away
with this one. He strokes his chin and
cockely says aint I fne? Youve
got one handsome son. A grown man
today. She looks at him, taking the
whole package in, thinking thank
you Lord, you have given me a very
handsome son. Mom says yeah, you
look alright, thats because you look
just like your mother.
They both laugh. Youre seventeen
today, not quite a man, but a man in the
eyes of God. You are at the age of ac-
countability. I want you to start coming
with me to church on a regular bases,
not just on Easter.
God loves you, and he wants you to be
His, but you have to choose Him. He
protects you daily as you go through
these streets. I know we dont live in
the best neighborhood, you know that
he keeps a fence around you so the
devil cant get you. I send prayers be-
hind you each and every time you walk
out that door. I ask God to send his
protecting angels with you everywhere
you go.
Dont you know that Jesus died for
you? He who had never sinned, took
on all your sins, and became sin and
allowed himself to be nailed to a cross
and died, so that you might live. You,
me and anyone else that accepts the
Lord Jesus Christ. You need to start
coming out and praising and thanking
the Lord for what hes done for you.
Dont think of it as robbery for you to
give some time to the Lord. Having
heard this stuff all his life, Melvin feels
himself beginning to zone out, then I
know Ma, Im gonna come. I just need
to chill with my homies right now for
my B-day. You know were not bad;
we just like to have a little fun en stuff.
Holler at the shorties, you know. Have
some fun, Im young.
Oh youre young now, I see but, there
are as many short graves as there are
long ones. That means that no one
knows when it is their time to leave
here. Boy you ought to praise the
Lord for allowing you to see seventeen
years. Melvin throws his hands up to
cover his ears, I know, I know, I know!
Please dont start saying bad things
because every time you do, something
bad happens.
He starts toward the bathroom, Mom
shouts and what is a shorty? Boy
dont you be disrespecting these girls.
Yes mother, he shouts back as he
closes the bathroom door. Yes, that
shower felt good, he thinks as he exits
the tub. He can hear that praise music
back on, flling the air. Stopping to
groom himself in the mirror, he cant
help but to admire his own good looks.
Smiling at his refection, he runs his
tongue across his top teeth and says,
fne.
When he comes out of the bathroom,
he notices the smell of his moms
good cooking. Shes making him a
nice birthday breakfast. He hurriedly
dresses in a loose ftting tee, loose ft-
ting jeans belted at the waist, and some
crispy new sneakers.
Mom would have a ft if he left the
house sagging. Oh the things we do
for Mom. Making his way back to the
kitchen, he sees that his friend Rich
is already seated to the table. They
slap hands. At that moment the phone
rings, its their buddy Cuzzo, calling to
wish Melvin a happy birthday. Come
through, come through, Moms is makin
b-day breakfast. Theyre good friends
from when they were little kids, Mom
is cool with them. The food is good,
and plentiful as expected. They all
compliment and thank Mom. Always
happy to feed my boys. I want you all
to come to church Sunday. I want you
all to repent and be saved, thank the
Lord for.... Mom, Mom
Melvin stops her We gonna dip for a
while, enjoy my b-day. Maybe shoot
some hoops. Rich, Cuzzo, we out.
Later Ma. They close the door as they
leave. Lord go before them, protect
them. Send your protecting angels with
my son and his friends. Lord protect
them from others, and protect others
from them, in Jesus name I pray, amen
and thank God.
The three teens go to the park, sitting
on the bench watching the girls go
by. Yo Mel, whats up birthday boy.
They look around and see their homie
Flip walking up behind them; hes car-
rying a black plastic bag. Nothing too
good for my homeboys, he states as
he begins to hand out bottles of beer.
They twist the tops off, hold up the
bottles and say happy birthday Mel,
and drink. All four of the friends are
together so they go to the basketball
court and begin to ball. They shoot
baskets for hours.
Drinking several beers as they play,
each one taking turns to run and get
a fresh one. Between all the balling,
drinking beers and watching girls, they
dont know where the time went. Not
being used to drinking, they are all
quite high, especially after Cuzzo sur-
prises them all with some weed. They
smoke the weed, and then decide they
will go to the city to walk around.
Its getting too dark to keep shooting
baskets. The foursome always enjoyed
themselves when they were together.
They laughed and wrestled one an-
other at times. They decide to jump the
turnstile at the train station. They run
up the stairs to the platform laughing,
theyre mimicking how the clerk yelled
pay your fare.
Flip begins to show off some of his
fips. Hes known for fipping since he
was very young, thus the name Flip.
Melvin begins to get light, dancing
around on the platform. Hes feeling
great, invincible, so he decides to mix
a fip into his dance.
Miscalculating the space needed for
such a move, he fnds himself falling
to the train tracks. At that moment he
realizes that the train is less than a stop
away, coming right for him.
Everything seems to move in slow
motion. As he makes contact with the
tracks, his right arm falls back and his
hand makes contact with the third rail.
Melvin hears Rich, Cuzzo and Flip
calling out his name in agony; he sees
the looks of horror on their faces. Rich
is down on his knees, near the platform
edge.
Flip is back against the wall, springing
up and down, and Cuzzo stands there
holding his head. Melvin feels the
electricity begin to course through his
body. His drug and alcohol clouded
mind is now as clear as a bell.
Melvin thinks of his mother, then he
thinks Jesus! Suddenly he feels his
body being lifted up from the tracks; he
feels his body spin as if he was part of
some sort of matrix. His body is lifted
up and thrown back on the platform, he
lands on his feet. Rich, Cuzzo, and Flip
witness it all. They marvel at what they
had seen. How did you do that asked
Cuzzo. That was God, that was God
said Rich.
Melvin feels quaking and tingling in
his body. He simply says I have to
go home. Flip who had been standing
with his mouth open says hear you
man, hear you. They were all in awe
of what had happened. They all walk
silently, each lost in his own thoughts.
They walk with Melvin to about a block
from his home, then after saying good
night, they go their separate ways.
Continued on page 13
June, July, August 2014 - brownsvillematters@gmail.com - Vol.: 1 No. 1
Brownsville
Matters
To The Heart
of God
TM
Page 12
The Prison
Connect - Contact
Derrel Austin
DIN # 96-B-0336
Five Points Correctional Facil-
ity
State Route 96, P.O. Box 119
Romulus, New York 14541
An Open Letter- Dear Sisters
By Derrel Austin
I cant pretend things have
been great between us, and
without any doubt I know we
must do better. This mistreat-
ment dates back to centuries
long passed, and to this day
youve loved us still. We have
failed you in more ways than
the most intelligent amongst
us can count to, still youve
loved us through.
I cant make up for yesterday,
nor all the days past, and an
apology alone would never
do. I recognize there needs to
be action at last. We need to
start showing up, being reli-
able, respectful, accountable,
and faithful. Our children
need us; theyre dying at an
all-time high, going to prison
instead of High School and its
got a lot to do with the missing
men. We must do better, trust
that this we know, we must do
better.
My sisters the reason I write to
you is because we need your
help. Theres simply no way
we can do this all by our self.
I know its not easy. I know
youre fed up and youve had
all you can take. However,
God made you our helpmate
and more than ever we need
you to be all God created you
to be; not just for us but also
for you.
Ladies we need you to know
your worth, demand from
us, by your actions towards
yourself, how you want to be
treated. A man will be to you
what you demand. We were
fashioned to love and cherish
you. Lead us back to Gods
good grace by teaching us our
place where it concerns you. If
as a man I call you out of your
name, check me, demand that I
respect you, and that I respect
me. Stop rewarding us for act-
ing and for living poorly. This
is a key to leading us back to
Gods glory.
Stop giving us your body that
weve failed to earn. Make
us work for it and watch how
quickly we learn. If you raise
your standards it will raise our
character. If you dont well
fail you, fail God and this will
contradict how much you care
for us.
More importantly is the price
paid for change being delayed.
Our kids are dying; theyre
in the streets flled with pain.
They had no daddy so they
joined a gang! We cannot
keep allowing them to pay the
price for the crimes of the past.
We know our story. Our road
was rough, yet we survived.
So focus on the Glory. No
it wont be easy, the pain is
deeply rooted, the molesta-
tion, the rape, the beatings, all
forms of hate. You have a
right to your pain; but more
rights to your Glory. You
survived. Thats the highlight
of your story!
Its time to move forward; we
all need healing and through
the elevation of your self-
worth, as well as your conduct
is a pathway to all our healing.
Please sisters, help raise your
nation and stop rewarding the
Godless unworthy men.
To be continued
Lauren Smith
DIN # 04-B-1129
Great Meadow Correctional Facility
P.O. Box 51, 11739
State Rt. # 22
Comstock, New York 12821-0051
Within our hearts and souls lives the spirit of Christ. Freedom is
a state of mind, even behind these walls freedom can be divine.
Freedom can be obtained. Start by removing those metal chains.
Freedom is only one phone call away. Ask and you shall receive,
trust and believe.
June, July, August 2014 - brownsvillematters@gmail.com - Vol.: 1 No. 1
A wide array of caskets are on display on site
as well as a catalog and samples of cremation
caskets.
Beautifully colored seating in a spacious chapel where home going services are held.
Wall hanging photo capturing past ties to the
business of funeral directing by the grandfa-
ther of Renaye Cuyler Esq.
Black Women
Making History in Brooklyn
Continued from page 6.
We allow people to open up a plan here for
$500 and pay on it until its paid off. We put it
in the New York State Funeral Directors Fund.
Its just like an annuity. It earns interest. At the
end of life it can be used to pay off your funeral
and burial. Its an easy way to plan for death.
We live in a death denying society. But its
easier to deal with death while youre not facing
it. I go to Churches and ask how many of you
believe in God? Everybody raises their hand.
Then I ask; do you think that youre going to
heaven right now just because you sit down and
make a plan with me? Its still in Gods hands.
I dont have that power. You have to be a good
steward over your body. I certainly dont have
power over life and death. But we do have some
people who come by and do their wills and it
makes things so much easier. It keeps people
from fghting.
I call it putting your house in order, love for
the living. Its speaks for us when were gone
and cant tell folks what to do. Its an organized
ending. On premises we have a preparation
room where we prepare the body, we have two
very large chapels, we have a display room
for caskets, its wheelchair accessible, We can
accommodate in the large chapel downstairs
about 150 and theres another smaller chapel
adjacent to it that we can use for spill over
to accommodate another 50 people. Up here
theres another Chapel that seats about 80.
Maria Sealy closes out by saying, I take funeral
services very seriously. I know that this is a gift
from God and I treat it like that. This is a great
work for the Lord because those who dont go
to Church can come in here and be saved. She
is a restorative artist. She also does embalming
and cosmetology. As Renaye Cuyler says, she
is fscal and Maria Sealy is physical.
On the tour of the funeral home in one of the
chapels hangs a picture of Renaye Cuyler Esq.s
grandfathers picture along with the home that
he used as a funeral parlor called Georgetown
Memorial Chapel. It features his business card
from 1926. Bright warm colors are common
throughout the tapestry of Sealy Cuyler Funeral
Home.
There is also a spiral staircase beautifully car-
peted which leads to the downstairs area. All of
the bathrooms are wheelchair accessible. There
are actually paintings hanging that are done by
famous artists. There is a room downstairs des-
ignated as the ministers quarters where minis-
ters can use the space to meet the needs of those
that they serve. Being the determined women
that Maria Sealy and Renaye Cuyler Esq. are;
they decided to build from the ground up and
still have plans of adding yet another level to
their building. If youre interested in your loved
one reposing in style with beautiful surround-
ings and being cared for by loving people;
Sealy Cuyler Funeral Home is the place to be.
Give them a call. (718) 230-3812 or 3817
By Pastor Sherri Black
Continued from page 11.
Melvins mom had gone to bed an hour earlier, praying without
ceasing. Lord protect my son, Lord save his soul, Lord I love
you, Lord I trust you, Lord I praise you, Lord I lift you up, Lord
I thank you for loving me, Lord I thank you. She drifted off to
sleep without realizing it.
All of the lights are off; the television and radio are all turned
off. She is awakened by her sons voice, Ma, I have to tell you
something, can you come in the kitchen.
Not being able to see him, her mind starts to run wild, her heart
beating rapidly, she is afraid. Lord please dont let me turn on
the lights and fnd that my son has been shot, stabbed or suf-
fered any bodily injury. She feels a calm come over her, puts the
lights on and follows him to the kitchen. She thanks the Lord she
doesnt see any injury to him.
He tells his mother of how he fell on the train tracks and was
lifted back to the platform. He ends his story with and God
lifted me up and placed me back on the platform. They begin
to praise the Lord together.
Melvin shows his mother his pinky fnger on his right hand.
There is a black line going from his hand, up the arm, and there
are black marks on his back.
The praise begins to go a little higher. Mom calls her mom, and
she joins in the praising of the Lord.
Sunday morning, Melvin is dressed and ready to go to church
when his mother wakes up. Anxious to go give thanks.
Praise the Lord!
The effective, fervent prayer of the righteous man availeth much
James 5:16B
Pray without ceasing 1Thessalonians 5:17
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper Isaiah 54:17
BR0WNSVI LLE
PULSE
This Is The Stone Which
Was Set At Nought Of
You Builders,
Which Is Become The
Head Of The Corner.
Neither Is There Salva-
tion In Any Other Name
Under Heaven Given
Among Men Whereby We
Must Be Saved.
Acts 4:11-12
Brownsville
Matters
To The Heart
of God
TM
Page 13 June, July, August 2014 - brownsvillematters@gmail.com - Vol.: 1 No. 1
India Humphrey
The Prison Connect- Listen
Featuring One of Brownsvilles Shining Stars
By Desmond Cunningham
#93-A-6866
Lets be real by acknowledg-
ing the true fact that this evil
world we live in is on a lot
of levels being run and taken
over by the devil and his faith-
ful steadfast human workers.
The manifestations of some
of these very demonic fruits is
todays Black on Black homi-
cides and other homicides
done by so many other races,
that is a lot of times is todays
gun violence; which is not a
new fact or rare occurrence in
America. After all, this coun-
try was founded on extreme
violence.
Jesus said in John 10:10 that
the thief (Satan) comes to steal,
kill and destroy, but he (Jesus)
came to give life (eternal life)
and life more abundant while
you live here on earth.
This very vicious and deplor-
able systematic slaughter of
our precious human race is
todays reaped bitter harvest
of an angry conscienceless and
fatalistic fruit.
There are still millions of
people who need to know the
love of Jesus and grow into
maturity to pass that love on
to other hurting people to help
our neighborhoods and nation.
If you get distracted and miss
your assignment, only means
you do not have the servant
of God heart. But then, who
will reach the hurting and lost
that God intended for you to
touch?
We must practice non- violent
communication in order to let
our children realize that mur-
derers, drug dealers, pimps
and takers should never be
praised or to be desired to be
like. We need to stop glorify-
ing our own genocide.
Its time to take our kids to
Church. Even if our parents
do not like going to Church,
try to at least teach our children
how to become spiritually and
morally grounded; so it will be
harder for the devil to destroy
them while they are still on the
potters wheel in their devel-
oping stages of life. So they
wont have to look towards
gangs, pimps, drug dealers or
some other or older predatory
man or woman for love and
guidance.
Help children to realize their
great value and potential and
let them know not to volunteer
their lives to this evil modern
day slavery system; The
prison system.
Practice Non-violent communication
By Derrel Austin
#96-B-0336
Dear children of God please
take a few moments out your
day to read these words and
dont let the devil distract and
turn you away.
I write these words from the
depths of a living hell on
earth, confned since the age
of 16 because in my youth,
internally hurt, I had no idea
of what a life was worth.
Abused, misused, exposed
way too early to the devils
stare, I got sucked in and lived
without a care. I became
the devils play thing and
abandoned all my childhood
daydreams. I got a gun, some
crack and overnight I became
all that. Now Im sitting in
prison more than 19 years in
and often I wonder where all
my friends at.
The thing is I had so many
valid excuses, from being
exposed to drug dealing,
drug abuse, and child abuse
on many levels. I embraced
them all, and I allowed how
others treated me to determine
how I in turn treated myself. I
elected to join my tormentors
because I didnt know that I
could, nor how to beat them.
In the end I became my own
worst enemy because I didnt
know God would be a friend
to me.
To every lost child of God out
there, the way back is to go to
him, the Most High; and then
through him to fnd all the
reasons why. Do not become
your own worst enemy. Run
that devil out of your life.
That smiling face cheering
you on as you self-destruct this
is the devils smile which you
should never trust. Whoever
it is, dont allow them to keep
you from your glory, and cre-
ate a better story. You deserve
it; you must trust God that you
are worth it.
Please put the guns down, the
drugs and the clown suits;
fghting over colors like fools.
All of them belong to God.
Will you be fool enough to
fght him too? You dont like
blue; will you destroy the sky?
Or is it red you hate; will you
destroy the blood inside of
you? Neither of these can you
ever successfully do. So wake
up before death or my prison
cell belongs to you!
Before I close, I leave you
with this; real gangsters are out
there showing up and showing
out for their families. Doing
the tough jobs, not taking the
easy way out by taking on a
fake I dont care attitude. So
if youre really tough, prove it.
Be the toughest thing to be in
the hood, A MAN!
From the Depths of Hell to the Hearts of Men
By Lauren Smith
# 04-B-1129
Most men on the inside will
tell you they grew up in a
single parent home. Young
brothers in society dont be
discouraged. God has been
our Father long before crea-
tion. And although, most of us
witness our mothers working
two and three jobs to feed the
family; its no excuse to quit
school and start selling drugs
to help out.
She works extra hard to pro-
vide a better future for you, so
you dont have to turn to the
streets. When we use or sell
drugs, we are contributing to
the destruction of our com-
munities and our futures. Take
me for example; the only thing
that saved me was the love of
Christ.
Trust in the Lord. He will pro-
vide all of your needs in due
season. Freedom comes from
within My story is similar
to that of Jonah in the Bible.
Just like Jonah, I ran from the
presence of God, because I
wanted to do my own thing.
And look where that got me,
in the belly of the Beast (as we
call prison). Yet, and still, God
has been merciful and I have
found Freedom on the inside
of me.
Freedom On
the Inside of
Me
By Drew Goodman- Principal
I
ndia Humphrey was born
September 1, 2001 in Brooklyn
New York. She attends M.S.634.
India was also raised in Brooklyn, New
York by a single mother. She lives with
her brother and sister.
India is currently in the 7th grade.
She is a respectful student and tries to
maintain good grades. Being born and
raised by a single parent is a challenge
for her, since her mother is a single par-
ent she tries her best to help out around
the house and with her mothers daily
life. But having a life that is always
busy makes it hard for her to always
be helpful.
India is a student at D.R.E.A.M. Pro-
gram; this program trains kids for the
specialized high school test so they can
have an opportunity to get accepted into
one of the 8 specialized high schools.
This program requires India to attend
school on Saturdays and Wednesday
afternoon, plus it also requires her to
go to a summer session. Other than
going to D.R.E.A.M. Program India
also is in extracurricular activities that
take place at her school, she is a part of
Read and Run and she is also in Delta
Academy.
India sometimes has trouble balancing
her life, with her extracurricular activi-
ties and the D.R.E.A.M. Program plus
school but she manages to get through
and keep her grades up. Even though
her plate is full she fnds time to be
a loving and caring daughter, sister,
student and friend.
ITS GOOD TO BE SAVED GOD CAN SAVE ANYBODY
Brownsville
Matters
To The Heart
of God
TM
Page 14 June, July, August 2014 - brownsvillematters@gmail.com - Vol.: 1 No. 1
Supplemental Income
Opportunity
Community Members: Im offering an opportunity
for you that can potentially generate a monthly
income.
This is NOT multilevel or Network. Its quick and
easy.
I will personally train you. Training costs you
nothing. There are no educational requirements.
Call me and ask about the income opportunity.
Pastor Black (347) 447-2244
If busy leave your name and number and say
income opportunity.
Special Thanks go out to Patrick
Maitland of STREET HYPE Community Lifestyle
Newspaper.
Brownsville Matters to the Heart of God newspaper
would not have been possible to be done at this time
without the help of a special friend which I actually
have only recently met.
I thank God for him because he has been a great help
to Brownsville Matters to the Heart of God. Patrick
Maitlands help has been selfess and invaluable.
-Pastor Black
The Way Church of Christ
337 Rockaway Avenue (Corner of ENY Avenue)
Sundays 2-5pm
Brownsville
Matters
To The Heart
of God
TM
Page 15 June, July, August 2014 - brownsvillematters@gmail.com - Vol.: 1 No. 1
A Scientist A Ballerina A Super Hero A Dinosaur
A Designer A Doctor A Fireman A Power Ranger
A Musician
A Chef
A Firefghter A Scientist An Actress A Doctor
A Prophet A Nurse A Psalmist
A Movie Critic A Singer In The NBA
20 Reasons to Stop the Violence
When I grow up I want to be
Brownsville
Matters
To The Heart
of God
TM
Page 16 June, July, August 2014 - brownsvillematters@gmail.com - Vol.: 1 No. 1