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Meet Your Neighbors
By Inquisigal | April 22, 2008
Wondering who lives in Bedford Stuyvesant? How long they’ve lived here? What they do for fun? How they make a living? What they like about Bed Stuy? Dislike about Bed Stuy?
“Meet Your Neighbors” will be an on-going Bed Stuy blog feature, introducing you to other people who live or work in Bedford Stuyvesant. Ready to meet a new neighbor?
Name: James C. Breland
Resides: Jefferson Avenue between Stuyvesant and Lewis Avenues
Age: 76 years old
Born: St George, South Carolina
Cultural or ethnic heritage: southern United States, South Carolina
Lives with: Wife
Years lived in Bed Stuy: 57 years total in Bed Stuy, 48 years at current residence.
Renter or home owner: Home owner, of a three story limestone
Important aspects of your home and the community: My home is comfortable and the community is peaceful and quiet.
Do you participate in community events?: Yes.
What did you do for a living?: N.Y.C.T.A bus operator.
Did you enjoy your work?: Yes.
What are some of your favorite hobbies?: Bowling and fishing.
What is your favorite household chore?: None.
What would you change about the neighborhood if you could? Nothing.
On average, how much time do you spend in Manhattan?: Very little.
Are you religious, and if yes, do you attend local worship services?: Yes and yes.
How does your religion effect your life or your identity? None at all.
Photography by Bed Stuy resident and photographer Rosie McCobb. To see more of Rosie’s work, click here or visit her website at: www.pbase.com/mccobb1969
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:56 am
i LOVE this new feature!!
April 22nd, 2008 at 3:03 pm
This is a very cool feature.
Two huge thumbs-up!
April 22nd, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Oh, this is great! He lived right behind me
April 22nd, 2008 at 3:43 pm
*…lives
April 22nd, 2008 at 4:49 pm
This is the greatest idea. Thank you. I really look forward to “meeting” people in the neighborhood this way.
April 22nd, 2008 at 5:07 pm
This is great. And it’s nice to hear about some of the working people who own homes in the neighborhood.
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:39 pm
This is such a fun feature. And Lina, I’m sure you didn’t mean it to be but your comment seems a bit condescending. I mean, as opposed to the NON-working people or what?
April 23rd, 2008 at 1:06 pm
This is a great idea, I have known Mr. Breland my entire life. He and his wife are great pillars of this community. Love…Love this new feature!!
Mr. Breland is just one example of a rich history of Southern African Americans who settled in Bedford Stuyvesant in search for a new beginning.
As a lifelong resident, my neighbors growing up all shared stories just like Mr. Brelands.
Celebrate the new changes in Bedford Stuyvesant but never forget the pioneers who made it possible!!!
April 27th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Love love love this feature thanks!!!
April 27th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Wow! My dad was born in St. George! This gentleman HAS to be related to me or at least have known my dad since St. George is such a tiny town. I’d love to really meet him.
April 27th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Marie,
I see what you’re saying, but I wouldn’t take it like that. There are a lot of people on my block (myself included) who aren’t “working people” if you mean that you have a job. Most of the people on my block who own homes are more entrepranurial, which means that we’ve all pretty much figured out how to own homes and stay at home in them most days!
April 28th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Hey Miss Bed Stuy native there are many Bed Stuy residents from St. George and yes we’re probably all related because the town is very small
My grandfather is from there and that is how I know Mr. Breland.
May 4th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Hey Shawn,
That’s interesting. I’ve never known that.
I’m going to my family reunion “down home” in August. Will you be there?