Save 375 Stuyvesant Avenue
Protecting the legacy of Dr. Josephine English and keeping Black cultural spaces in community hands.
Why This Building Matters
375 Stuyvesant Avenue is more than a landmark — it is a living chapter of Black history in Central Brooklyn.
Founded by Dr. Josephine English, one of the nation’s first Black OB-GYNs and a pioneering community advocate, the mansion has served for decades as:
a gathering space for Brooklyn’s Black families
an arts and cultural hub
a home for small businesses
a center for senior services, celebrations, and community healing
Dr. English built this space to belong to the neighborhood, not to developers or outside interests.
Today, that legacy is in jeopardy.
What’s Happening Now
Due to a court-ordered sale, 375 Stuyvesant Avenue is at immediate risk of being purchased by speculative real estate interests. Developers have already submitted offers — and if the community does not act swiftly, this historic site will become yet another example of Black history erased through gentrification and displacement.
Our Plan:
Preserve 375 Stuyvesant Through the BLAC Land Trust
GrowHouse created the BLAC Land Trust to safeguard historic Black-owned land, cultural assets, and community spaces from extraction.
Placing 375 Stuyvesant Avenue into the BLAC Land Trust will:
ensure permanent community ownership and governance
protect the building from speculation
preserve Dr. English’s legacy for generations
reactivate the mansion as a hub for arts, wellness, and community programming
The BLAC Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit — all contributions are tax-deductible.
A Proven Model
Community land trusts across New York City and the country have successfully raised funds, mobilized neighbors, and acquired properties under similar circumstances. This model works.
Examples:
East New York CLT (ENYCLT) raised philanthropic dollars and community investment to secure neighborhood land. Read this!
Mott Haven–Port Morris CLT in the Bronx preserved community space through local organizing and partnerships. Take a look!
Cooper Square CLT on the Lower East Side has protected over 300 apartments for more than 30 years. More here!
These precedents show: when communities mobilize, they win.
How You Can Help Right Now
1. Donate to the Community Acquisition Fund
Every contribution — no matter the size — directly supports the effort to keep the mansion in community hands.
2. Share the Campaign
Post on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, or Facebook using our toolkit:
Sample captions
Hashtags
Shareable images
Key messages
3. Tell Your Elected Officials to Support Preservation
Your voice matters. Public leadership matters.
EMAIL TEMPLATE
LIST OF ELECTED OFFICIALS
4. Spread the Word With Your Network
Faith organizations, schools, block associations, Black fraternities/sororities, and cultural institutions can play a powerful role.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the building being sold?
A court-ordered process requires the property to be sold immediately, creating an opening for speculative buyers.
What will the building become if the community wins?
A community-governed hub for arts, wellness, small business incubation, intergenerational programs, and cultural memory — in the spirit of Dr. Josephine English.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes. All contributions go to the BLAC Land Trust, a registered 501(c)(3).
This Is a Defining Fight for Bed-Stuy
375 Stuyvesant Avenue represents so much more than a building — it represents the right of Black communities to preserve their own history, own their own land, and define their own future.
We have a small window to act. Together, we can save this space.
DONATE NOW
SIGN THE PETITION
SHARE THE CAMPAIGN
The BLAC Land Trust
is part of a citywide and national movement to preserve affordability
while empowering residents to shape their neighborhoods
