Black Love Matters, A Juneteenth Birthday: Bed-Stuy's 2020 Review

BED-STUY, BROOKLYN — It was a year that started out like any other.

With familiar headlines like a new subway station, or the not-so-familiar bizarre stories like squatters throwing feces from their windows, 2020 began when this thing called the "coronavirus" was not yet at the forefront of Bed-Stuy neighbors' minds.

But that would soon change.

A once-in-a-century pandemic, a reckoning over race and policing, massive economic disruption and a contentious presidential election all made 2020 a year New Yorkers and the world will not soon forget.

As 2021 begins, Bed-Stuy Patch is taking a look back at the neighborhood's top stories of 2020:

'He Helped Everyone': Bed-Stuy Mourns Local Legend, Bakery Owner

The coronavirus pandemic understandably dominated the headlines for all of New York City this year, as the city became the nation's "epicenter"of the pandemic.

In Bed-Stuy, as with many communities of color, the virus hit particularly hard. The neighborhood mourned local heroes, fought for information about neighbors in public housing and struggled through a second wave.

Bed-Stuy Block Caught In Gang Violence Crossfire, Neighbors Say

As New Yorkers joined in nationwide protests after George Floyd's killing at the hands of police in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Bed-Stuy was caught in its own gun violence crisis.

It seemed no space or vulnerable neighbor — a 1-year-old at a family cookout, a beloved church caretaker at his house of worship, an elderly woman riding a city bus, and even a vigil — was immune from the crossfire of a devastating surge in shootings.

Bed-Stuy Restaurateurs Bond Together In Outdoor Dining Effort

The year was particularly hard for the city's businesses, who struggled to survive a shutdown and coronavirus restrictions.

In Bed-Stuy, restaurants found hope by banding together to push for outdoor dining, rent relief and doing their best to pivot to the new normal.

Through it all, Bed-Stuy continued to support its local favorites, whether it be with fashion shows, winter wonderlands or fundraisers. Some neighbors also found new opportunities and opened new businesses, including, most recently, an Acai bowl shop or a new burger joint.

'Black Lives Matter' Mural Takes Over Bed-Stuy Street

Whether it be a warehouse to accommodate never-before-seen demand at the local food pantry, a Christmas miracle for neighbors from another borough, Bed-Stuy stepped up for those in need this year.

With the darkness, bright spots came as Bed-Stuy proved with wedding celebrations, murals turned community hubs and memorials on the world stage that Black lives — and love — matters.

Here are some of those feel-good stories:

• Bed-Stuy 10-Year-Old Finds Empowerment In Mask-Making Business
• Bed-Stuy Food Pantry Will Open Temporary Coronavirus Warehouse
• Empty Lot Transforms Into Community Fridge, Library In Bed-Stuy
• Bed-Stuy Teacher Takes On Representation With New Children's Book
• New Yorkers Bring Christmas To 25 Families Devastated By Pandemic
• 'A True World War II Black Soldier' Turns 100 On Juneteenth

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