Crown Heights Caribbean Museum

Crown Heights' first Caribbean museum was dedicated last month in the name of Carlos Lezama, the "godfather" of the annual West Indian-American Day Parade, now the largest outdoor event in New York City. As outlined in www.hardbeatnews.com, the Carlos Lezama Archives and Caribbean Cultural Center, established under the auspices of the University of the State of New York, will be located at the former Lezama home, 1028 St. John's Place (above), and serve to "promote and preserve Caribbean history." Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz particiapted in the Museum's groundbreaking, along with New York City Councilwoman Letitia James. Carlos Lezama died last February. The is no word yet on when the Museum will officially open. Located within Crown Heights' Landmark District, 1028 St. John's was once owned by Shirley Chisholm, who in 1968 became the first African-American woman voted to Congress and four years later became the first African American candidate for President of the United States.