C.ommunity (for me at least) involves showing up and participating in any form of action which assists and or brings value to a situation. Being willing to step in when extra hands are needed. Eagerly a participant sans the motive of some sort of reward in return. 

Popped out to a pop-up in Crown Heights to experience an exhibit of art and music co-curated by Okai (@okaimusik), a member of my community in Brooklyn. I brought my camera because it would be a good opportunity to capture candids and I love being able to pass anyone photos documenting an event even if there are people there to document it. My friend Rich (@haitianrich) who’d normally be taking stills was filming. There was no dedicated photographer. 

Sometimes people have a difficult time knowing how to fit in various community situations. This for me always involves at minimum two things: 1. My awareness of what I definitely have to offer. 2. An awareness of what assistance is needed and whether or not I can wholly accept the responsibility of whatever work that needs to be done.

I'm a natural team player who by default arrives ready to get hands dirty. A success for the community is a success for C. 

I was able to contribute more than being a body in a space at the event which alone is valuable when we speak of community support, but I also have material to contribute in the form of documentation of this experience that for the most part will only be a memory for those who attended. The moment can live on through the videos recorded by Rich and the stills I captured. Also benefiting continued promotion of the album that was released which was part of this as well as the art on exhibit and it’s creators.

Think about how you can bring value to your own community especially through the things you enjoy doing the most and do well while also being open to assist in things which may not be in your purview, within reason. Engage in this exercise mindfully thinking on how you can show up in the healthiest way which suits the occasion and is comfortable for you. 

Sometimes just stick around to fold up chairs after the function or help tidy up to get the venue back in the order it was in before the engagment began. Simple.

C.