Nine Nights 2023

If you’ve passed by the Flatbush African Burial Ground, you would notice that our artwork has been torn down yet again. 

Unfortunately, we recently learned that Curtis Haynes, the vendor who has been selling goods outside of the burial ground, has exhibited a consistent pattern of destructive behavior.  He used to vend on Nostrand Avenue until he was caught on camera in 2021 destroying the property of store owners and merchants between Linden Boulevard and Martense Street.  

Curtis Haynes, left

It is curious that he is choosing to harass individuals, businesses, and organizations that are trying to make a positive impact on Black life in Flatbush …

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Well, we’re putting our artwork back up and we’re going to return to the burial ground for our Nine Nights event to honor our ancestors.  

Nine Nights is a Caribbean ancestral veneration tradition that has roots in African tradition.  When a loved one passes, community members gather to celebrate their life through storytelling, food, music, and games.

Cultures around the world honor their ancestors as a way of preserving community history and legacy. 

African traditions of ancestral veneration have long been suppressed and vilified in an attempt to shift our focus away from our rich cultural heritage.

GrowHouse is preserving and evolving this Nine Nights ancestral tradition with our community partners to pay respect to our ancestors and acknowledge the important role they play in the lives of their descendants.  

1st night: Friday, October 20th

Creative Urban Alchemy is leading a visioning workshop at Pratt Institute called: Reparations in Public Space.  Guided by Pratt students, we’ll use MidJourney AI to create visions for Black healing and repair in our public spaces..  

MidJourney prompt: Reimagine Times Square as a site for honoring Black Earth Wisdom

2nd night - 9th night: 

Saturday, October 21st to Saturday, October 28th 

Each night, we’ll honor our ancestors at the Flatbush African Burial Ground + Flatbush Central Caribbean Market

6 pm: We’ll hold a vigil at the burial ground focused on the traditions of the ancestors who were brought to Flatbush during the period of enslavement.

7 pm: In a modified version of our Sankofa walk, we’ll move in a processional to Flatbush Central making stops to pour libation.

7:30 pm to 9 pm: We’ll end the evening with food, games, and community.