Aquí Me Quedo (2022)

On view June 2022.

Emily’s mother on her way to prom, and Emily’s parents. Linden & Wilson Avenue, 1990, Gates Avenue, 1996, and Wilson Avenue, 1980s, respectively.

“These are Photos of Lorenzo Ayala, my Father. We're from East Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Before there was a Apple store on Bedford the most sold products around the area were Dope. My father and the people in these photos are the real players of East Williamsburg Kingsland & Jackson to be Exact. When you speak to older folks from the area they always mention my Father and his reign on the Area. Nowadays he is still on the same block holding it down for the Ogs. The forgotten and Unwanted area of Cooper Projects where Spike Lee shot New Jersey Drive. You can still visit the block and see people moving like it's 1993. Some people say my block is Cursed but I feel blessed to be from such a authentic part of Brooklyn. Peace to My Father & The Whole Block Royal Family.” -– Nacio (@ghostnacekillah)

Nacio’s father Lorenzo Ayala back in the day. East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 1980-1990s.

“This is one of my favorite pictures of me as a child at a PR Day block party, I think it’s fair to say the outfit was ahead of its time! I’m so proud of my deep Williamsburg Puerto Rican roots, and this picture means so much to me because it combines my favorite things- fashion, and my neighborhood.” – Kayla (@kaylavegas)

Kayla at a Puerto Rican Day block party. McCarren Park, Greenpoint, 2004.

Syd’s parents Flaca and Roc, and abuelita Letty, at their baby shower for Sydney, and Syd’s family over the years. 233 Schafer Street, Knickerbocker & Wilson Avenues, November 1990s. –– @sydacker

“There aren’t many photos from my father’s childhood, but here he is, seemingly lounging on the floor, leaning against a full cardboard box that’s falling apart under his weight. His shirt features his mother’s maiden name: Rondon. His family – his mother, father, and four sisters – moved around a lot, so it’s likely the box and lack of furniture is from another move. My dad settled on Long Island to raise his family, but I’m proud to say he was a Bushwick High School alum! I wish I knew the exact details of this photo and the life surrounding it, but, sad to say, my father suddenly passed away in October, 2019. He’s survived by his children Frankie, Nicky, Mavrick, Chesnie, and myself. Being part of my father’s legacy is always in the back of my mind, it’s why I’ll scream, ‘¡Viva Puerto Rico libre!’ until my voice is lost, and why I place such an emphasis on family and community – if you are loved by another, you are never truly alone, and if you carry the love for another, they will never truly be gone.” ––Krislyn (@krisly.n.)

Krislyn’s father, Frank, as a teenager. Bushwick, 1980-84.

“Our mom always dressed us up in the flyest thing out. Same fit, different color. This picture was taken before heading out to FUN TIME USA with the family.”

Ashley (10) and Amanda (8) on Easter Sunday. Bushwick, 2003

“Taking pictures was always fun to do. Back then you had a choice of choosing a cool backdrop with tags and graffiti. Here we are in front of 184 South 2nd Street in Los Sures (The Southside) in what is now trendy Williamsburg, Brooklyn. I love where I grew up at no matter how anyone perceived Los Sures in the past or the present. Puerto Rican Culture was everywhere, on every street corner and in every building. The community was strong and united. I cherish the memories created in my neighborhood. Can anyone see my tag?” –– Jacqui (@pepperjackee)

Fita & her son, Chichi, Wanda, Liz, Sherrie, Allie; Jacqui and Allie; and Jacqui’s brother David. 184 S 2nd Street, Los Sures, Williamsburg, 1984, and 188 S 2nd Street, Los Sures, Williamsburg, 1990, respectively.

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“My Dad showing off his paintings during an interview with Alberto Bass across the street from my house on Cooper st., Bushwick. For as long as I can remember, my Dad always worked for himself. He built his ‘taller’ illegally in the basement where he restored antique furnitures during the day, and painted portraits and still life abstracts at night. His work wasn’t recognized here in NY but in Dominican Republic he’s well respected. His work is hanging en el Museo de Arte Moderno in DR til this day. He’s a creative mastermind and my biggest inspiration.” –– Natalie (@baby.slash)

Portrait of Segundo Reynoso, and his artwork. Bushwick, 2001.

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Natalie’s cousin Leo “looking very chicano with the slick back and Raybans.” Knickerbocker Avenue, Bushwick, 1987.

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Natalie’s madrina, Jackie, during her modeling days. Bushwick, 1989.

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“My mom had to go into hiding during this time bc her brother (my uncle) would steal her car to sell drugs. Every night, she would hold her keys tight and hide it underneath her pajamas while my uncle searched for them like a lunatic.”

Natalie’s mother at her aunt Teresa’s house. Jefferson Avenue, Bushwick, 1985.

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Natalie dancing reggae at her mama’s house. Knickerbocker Avenue, Christmas, 1993.

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Natalie and her father. Covert Street and Knickerbocker Avenue, Bushwick, 1989.

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Natalie’s Sunday family gatherings at mama’s house. Knickerbocker Avenue, Bushwick, 1990.

“Growing up in Ridgewood in the 90s is a different kind of flex. It was family, it was culture, it was block parties on the weekends and the oval Park EVERY day. It was going to the YMCA on catalpa ave for summer camp where the teen counselors taught you everything! How to heal toe, play ball, double Dutch, etc. It was closing down the block for you and your girls to perform your routine to the community. Where you met your first group of friends to ‘Charlie Angels’ pose with you after your 5th gradation from P.S. 68. Went to the hair salon to get your twisties done then head over to the nail salon next door for your marble tip set all to get ready for prom at the Fleur De Lis.” –– Ariel (@arield._)

Ariel and her friends at their 5th grade graduation from P.S. 68./Prom night at the Fleur de Lis. Cypress Avenue, Ridgewood, 2001.

“The cheers, the loud music—cars adorned with flags. Oh the waving of our flag—full of pride for our motherland and our roots. This is our culture and these kids here were living out the legacy of their parents. On this day we weren’t strangers, we were one. Que viva nuestro orgullo en Bushwick, por siempre!” –– Elizabeth (@relent_liz_)

Liz, Wendy, Jasmine, friends and family at the Bushwick Puerto Rican Day Celebration. Myrtle Avenue and Knickerbocker Avenue, June 2001.

“This was after my brother's communion in 1990 in front of our old apartment at 1450 Gates Ave between Knickerbocker and Irving. Even though the block and overall neighborhood looked decimated, it was moments like these that made our memories of Bushwick filled with love. My parents made sure we knew we were Boricua and beautiful.” –– Christopher

L to R: Yolanda, Enrique “Kike", Anthony against the door, Felix aka Papi, Christopher, and una vecina after Christopher’s brother’s communion. 1450 Gates Avenue between Knickerbocker and Irving, 1990.

“I grew up in Ridgewood/Bushwick my whole life. This picture was taken over 20 years ago and sometimes I still can't believe that Fleur de Lis closed down and it's a supermarket now. I was the flower girl at a wedding and the reception was here. So many amazing memories at that place. My best friend's sweet sixteen, my eighth-grade prom. My parents even had their wedding reception there in the 90s before I was born! It was the go-to place for every fancy event my family and friends had. We lived a few blocks away and I always loved to see everyone dressed up for celebrations going in and out of here. At the time it felt like the nicest place anyone could ever go. :)” – Sara (@hey.itsgogo)

The Gomez family: Lou "Luigi", Anita, and Sara, and Sara’s parents wedding. Fleur de Lis, Cypress Avenue, Ridgewood, 2001 and 1995, respectively.

“Sury and I grew up as best friends - not only going to school together but also our families would come together on holidays and occasions. Her family is full of strong women who I will always remember. Field Day is such an important time to get out of the school walls and express yourself - I love that we tied our tees up with a hair tie, this was an absolutely essential part of growing up in our era.” –– Mellany (@mellanysanchez)

Mellany and Sury at Field Day, Juniper Valley Park, Queens, 2002.

Samantha and her family over the years. Bushwick and Ridgewood, 1990s.

“Growing up my grandparents had a building on South 8th, around the corner from Peter Luger’s, where my Welo would get steaks that had ‘fallen off the back of the truck’ and where the view of the skyline hadn’t been blocked by new developments yet. La Sala was the nucleus of our family, it was where my Wela would watch her novelas at 7pm sharp (no matter what your were watching), where my mom walked in, a gringa wearing cowboy boots, and my Tio aptly named her Annie Oakley ‘OYE mira Annie Oakley!’ he’d shout, where my Titis would call out ‘BINGOOO’ leaving all the kids playing discouraged because we had lost AGAIN, it was where Wela took care of my mom during her pregnancy with me, and the gathering place every Friday/Saturday night with a plate of whatever delicious food Wela had made. When my parents split up and I gained 2 more sisters it was where we would all play with our cousins, where our legs would stick to the plastic cover during summer naps and where every Noche Buena and New Years were celebrated. La Sala was average sized, not small, not big but always filled with huge laughter, loud music and air filled with all the best smells from the kitchen. It was also where we experienced loss and pain, mourning family members who are no longer with us or when it was finally time for my grandparents to leave Brooklyn and return to the Island. While the building now belongs to someone else and a new Sala exists in their new home in their hometown in Puerto Rico, the warmth, the laughter and the love stays with me and when I have my own home it's the thing I can’t wait to re-create.” –– Amelia (@bklynrose)

La Sala on South 8th - The Martinez Familia. Los Sures, Williamsburg, 1990s.

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L to R: Uncle Andrecito, Miguel, Omi, Keith, Neña, and Leo. Queens, 1997. OMI: This birthday was live!! It was my brother Leo’s birthday — we had all the cousins here.

“This picture is like only half. This was right before I went to go live with my father in Puerto Rico. This was the last time I saw all my cousins together, at the same time...I miss those days.” — Omi, via Dayna (@daynatella x @omidepot)

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Andrea Herrera and Ancermo. Queens, December, 1994.

“This was at my first son’s birthday. I was dancing with a friend of mine, Ancermo. I used to love that necklace. I won it from playing numbers on a Sunday. The number was 38.” – Andrea, via Dayna

Brenda making a call on the corner of Greene & Wyckoff. Bushwick, 1986. –– Brenda (@brenda_likes)

“Every year I was shipped off to PR during the summer vacation from school at my grandfather’s insistence. On the day I’d return my mom would have a photographer waiting. Lol. It was her thing. As you can see I’m tanned. I have fond memories of my time in Jayuya, PR and of my grandfather. Miss him.”

Brenda back from Jayuya, PR. Bushwick, 1970s.

Jazmin’s mother at the Puerto Rican Day Parade in Midtown, and Jazmin’s father, uncle, and their friends celebrating in Bushwick. 1990s. –– Jazmin (@colourbyjazz

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Mariah’s mother Laura (left) and Titi Mari (right). Dekalb Avenue L train platform. 1993. By Mariah (@mariahespada)

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Mariah on a hot summer day in public housing. Bushwick Houses, 2002.

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“Papi Cheo out-front, wearing his usual work attire. After coming from Arecibo alone in the 1950's, Papi Cheo would become a self-made mechanic, supplying anyone in Bushwick looking for a car.”

Papi Cheo. 238 Troutman Street, 1977.

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“I remember this day like it was yesterday! My mom agreed to let my cousin Chris, my brother Edwin and me do one of those movie photo booth pictures. I was mad hype... my luck day! We were at the Myrtle Ave. movie theatre (I think it's a gym now) and got White Castle after. The ultimate Sunday vibe!”

Mariah and her cousins. Myrtle Ave. Bushwick/Ridgewood Movie Theatre. 2001.

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Mama Irma and 12-year-old mother Laura. Starr Street, Bushwick, 1982.

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“After decades in various Bushwick apartments, Papi Cheo was finally able to purchase his first home. A corner property right under the Central Ave train tracks for him, Mama Irma and his four children. He'd install the red fence around the house himself. The home was bought out by developers a few years ago, but a slither of the red fence remains there today.”

Papa Cheo, Tio Justo, and his friend. 140 Stanhope Street, Bushwick, 1986.

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“Mama Irma and Papi Cheo out front. Papi Cheo eventually owned the properties beside him as he expanded his car-selling business.”

Mama Irma and Papi Cheo. 140 Stanhope Street, Bushwick, 1986.