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Meet Your Neighbors: Episode 5
By Inquisigal | May 20, 2008
Welcome back to “Meet Your Neighbors,†a weekly feature on the Bed Stuy blog that serves to make the introductions between you, our readers, and other people who live or work in Bedford Stuyvesant.
Our next neighbor was referred to me by a regular Bed-Stuy blog reader as she is a life-long Bed-Stuy resident who is actively engaged in the community. Perhaps some of you have even seen her out and about near her clothing and design business on Marcus Garvey Boulevard. It’s always fun to meet people with such divergent personal stories; in this case, a clothing designer inspired by the style of Bronx-born actress Diahann Carroll and vintage clothing and textiles, who also spent her entire childhood attending Catholic school. Ready to meet a new neighbor?
Name: Kishana Holland
Lives: East Bed Stuy.
Age: 30 years old
Born: Breevort Housing Projects, Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, NY
Years lived in Bed Stuy: My entire life.
Where else have you lived during your lifetime?: I re-located to Baltimore for 4 years while attending Morgan State University.
Cultural or ethnic heritage: Southern African American
Lives with: My two beautiful children, Alliyah & Brenden.
Renter or home owner: Own.
Important aspects of your home and the community: I feel it’s imperative to develop a strong sense of community where you live. A mutual respect towards one another and a sense of pride in the space we share.
What do you do for a living?: I am the proprietor of Tres Chic Boutique & Accessories Lounge, located in the heart of the Bedford Stuyvesant community.
Do you enjoy your work?: I love what I do. I enjoy providing quality merchandise and services to my community. This community has given me so much and I feel it’s my obligation to give something back.
What are some of your favorite hobbies?: I absolutely adore shopping and I love spending time with my kids.
What is your most dreaded household chore?: Laundry…..I never have time to actually get it done.
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.
Does your religion affect your life or your identity?: My religion and strong faith influences every aspect of my life.
What do you like best about living in Brooklyn and Bed Stuy?: I love the rich sense of community. My customers/clients in the Bedford Stuyvesant have become some of my dearest friends, and some even like family.
What do you like least?: The senseless violence that seems to plague us at times.
What would you change about the neighborhood if you could?: If I could change anything, it woud be new political leadership. It is evident we need a new vision in this community.
Do you feel like Bedford Stuyvesant is experiencing “gentrificationâ€?: I’ve lived here my whole life and seen the changes in front of my very own eyes. Bedford Stuyvesant has a rich heritage of hard-working individuals with a strong sense of identity, family values, and community. I prefer to call it “Destiny” not “Gentrification.” This community was destined to become what we see today.
Photography by Bed Stuy resident and photographer Rosie McCobb. To see more of Rosie’s work, click here:www.pbase.com/mccobb1969
May 20th, 2008 at 10:37 am
I love her comment on “Destiny.” I think it does the community justice. And I agree on political leadership.
(OK. I admit it. Before I read her story I thought “nice necklace.” Not such a surprise when I read the article.)
May 20th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
She is beautiful.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Great comments! I hope her shop opens back up very soon; I want to visit it! I saw some shoes on her blog that she carries I wanted to get!!!
May 20th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Bonsoir and congrat
UYour store is beautiful and you are a great hard working person
luve jeannette
May 21st, 2008 at 9:49 am
i love her blog so it’s nice to put a face to the name. she’s gorgeous!