Magnolia Tree Earth Center Looks To Keep Bed-Stuy Flowering

BED-STUY, BROOKLYN — Environmentalist pioneer Hattie Carthan is said to have planted nearly 17,000 trees in her lifetime.

Now the community center she founded, the Magnolia Tree Earth Center in Bed-Stuy, is trying to raise $350,000.

The three brownstones the center occupies are in dire need of building repairs, but the pandemic wiped out their cash, so elected officials and community leaders are asking for everyone to pitch in.

It's kind of like paying the late Carthan, an early leader of the modern day environmental movement, $20 per tree for her lifetime of planting.

At a press conference Thursday outside the Magnolia Tree Center, numerous elected officials spoke about what the landmarked center means to them.

Council Member Chi Ossé is afraid that another Black institution in Bed-Stuy will soon be lost to history, like so many others have in recent years — including the Dangler Mansion — at a time when the environment of Bed-Stuy is facing its greatest threats.

"This landmark also represents the future not only the future of our community, not only the future of Brooklyn, but the future of our planet," Ossé said.

Former Council Member and current Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo said the issue isn't just about a clear cut story about gentrification.

"If you do not step up to help institutions like this, you are part of the problem, whether you came last year or from generations ago," Cumbo said. " That's what community building is about."

The Department of Buildings told NY1 that the center has racked up more than $450,000 in fines over the last few years, many stemming from delayed repairs due to the pandemic emptying the building of renters — and starving the center of funds.

Wayne Devonish, the chair of the Magnolia Center's board, spoke extensively with NY1 about what the center means and what comes next.

If the building can raise the $350,000 to get the building repairs done, Devonish told NY1, that could allow the center be be considered for larger city grants from Cumbo's department.

"We want to be that hub that folks come to when they want to learn about planting trees, creating a garden," Devonish told NY1. "We want to be that little, warm, fuzzy group where folks can get rental space cheaply, and it's decent looking."

Back at the press conference, Ossé highlighted some of the community services the center offers outside of the greenery, like financial literacy classes and community events — including a recent baby shower.

Marlin Rice, the events director for the Bed-Stuy Restoration Corporation, wanted to remind Bed-Stuy that the neighborhood belongs to all of the residents there, that everyone has a stake in the parts of the Bed-Stuy community that disappears.

"For those of us who are lifelong residents of this community," Rice said, "we've seen our houses be corrupted and taken away from us. 441 Willoughby was our house. 10 Claver Place was our house."

"And Magnolia Tree Earth Center," Rice said, "is our house."

To donate to the fundraiser, click here.