Brown Babies N Books Targets $20,000 to Expand Brooklyn Services

Brown Babies N Books is raising $20,000 to expand its services in Brooklyn. The organization currently operates as a community-driven literacy nonprofit. Its leadership team includes founder Dessa Carroll and board member Ebony Smalls. The group aims to build long-term sustainability through this fundraising effort.

Carroll started the organization after moving to the Kensington neighborhood. She is a transracial adoptee raised in a predominantly white area. As a new mother, she attended local mommy-and-me events. She noted that she rarely saw families that looked like her at these gatherings. This gap in representation led to the creation of the nonprofit.

Smalls described a similar experience at a local library. She recalled being treated rudely while attending free programming with her child. She said the space was controlled by other parents. This reinforced the need for a dedicated community space.

The group has held 30 events to date. Carroll stated that the city contains many Black and brown authors and illustrators. She decided the organization could operate more frequently than once a month. The team now seeks a continuous fundraising system similar to larger cultural institutions.

The $20,000 goal will fund new programming areas. These include maternal wellness events and retreats. The organization also plans to install small library boxes in neighborhoods designated as book deserts. Carroll mentioned outdoor discovery gardens as a way to address food insecurity.

The team targets donors with excess funds. They stated they do not expect struggling parents to contribute their last dollars. Smalls noted that parents often approach Carroll to share personal memories about children's books. She said the consistent feedback motivated the team to listen and expand their work.

Carroll explained that the current initiatives include laundry programs. The group is also working on physical installations in different Brooklyn neighborhoods. These efforts aim to support new moms and provide diverse reading materials.