Following last year’s presidential election, which galvanized Brooklyn into record levels of civic engagement, local activists have turned inward to see how they can affect CHANGE in their communities.

In this spirit, two organizations, Brown Memorial Baptist Church and Brooklyn for Barack, are teaming up to host a Public Advocate Candidates Forum. Brown Memorial Baptist church under the dynamic leadership of Reverend Clinton M. Miller continues to develop its community organizing program, working within Central Brooklyn on issues of affordable housing, jobs, education, and senior issues.  Reverend Miller says: “The Public Advocate has an important role to play in helping to solve some of our community’s most intractable problems.  We believe that this forum will make clear that this community expects the next Public Advocate to be active and engaged around social issues and to be front and center in helping to solve critical problems that have resulted from the economic crisis”.

Brooklyn for Barack continues to provide opportunities for people who were activated by last year’s election, hosting two community service forums and canvassing around the issue of healthcare.  Jordan Thomas, co-founder of Brooklyn for Barack says: “ 600 people showed up at our first post-election event, looking for volunteer opportunities among 65 organizations.  It’s clear that people are still hungry to participate.  What we hope and expect is that folks who attend the candidate forum will not only walk away with a sense of who they are going to vote for, but also a sense of who they will actively support.”

Moderated by the distinguished Jonathan Hicks, formerly of the New York Times, the event will present an exciting opportunity for community leaders, grassroots activists and the general public to hear from an impressive array of candidates. In addition to a question and answer segment, the program will also include a brief overview of the Office of the Public Advocate.

3 of the 4 candidates are confirmed to attend.  Each candidate will remain for the full 90-minute program. Please join us for what will prove to be an informative and interesting evening in New York City politics.

WHO:        City Council Member Bill de Blasio
        City Council Member Eric Gioia
        Attorney Norman Siegel
        Moderator Jonathan Hicks
Reverend Clinton M. Miller
Brown Memorial Baptist Church
Brooklyn for Barack
WHAT:     PUBLIC ADVOCATE CANDIDATES FORUM
WHEN:      MONDAY, JULY 27th, 7:00-8:30pm (Doors open at 6:30pm)
WHERE:     BROWN MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH
484 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY  11216
(Entrance on Gates Ave between Washington and Waverly)
(Subway: C,G to Clinton/Washington)