Who We Are & Who We Serve

Prospect Lefferts Gardens Heritage Council is a non-profit civic association dedicated to the preservation of local historic buildings and heritage. We are devoted to community revitalization, economic advancement, housing, and cultural enhancement. We seek to improve the quality of life and opportunities for all residents of Prospect Lefferts Gardens.

General Activities

The group was founded to preserve several vulnerable historic resources within our community, educate our neighbors on their rich cultural history, and address issues that govern our overall living conditions.

We were founded in August 2016. In the last 4 years we have held educational workshops for property owners and businesses on how to take advantage of financial entitlements. We have sponsored events at community cultural centers, organized neighborhood clean-ups, presented at block association meetings, and helped neighbors find solutions to avoid deed fraud and to reduce property taxes. In 2017 we added buildings to the Lefferts Manor Historic District. This gave the building owners access to rehabilitation tax breaks and documented how the buildings helped define our community’s cultural character. 1n 2019 we submitted a Prospect Lefferts Gardens Historic District extension.

Our 2020-2021 programing

Delivering care packages with food and essential COVID-19 items to seniors and families in need
Hosting educational homeowner workshops via Zoom
Qualifying over 90 historic buildings for financial assistance in the Prospect Lefferts Gardens
A free spring historic walking tour
Co-sponsoring events with local community groups
Providing cultural events that celebrate our Historical Heritage

Future Community Issues

We Are Looking To Address

Assisting residents dealing with the effects of the coronavirus
Set up regular meetings with the leaders of community groups and block associations.
Reduce our carbon footprint and our contribution to local landfills.
Mentor local youth into community leadership roles.
Host local political forums and debates.
Provide further documentation of local history

2020-2021 Budget

Software Subscriptions

Office Equipment

Online Research Tools

Professional Staff and internships

COVID 19 Care Packages

Postage

Media projects on local history

Total:

$1346.79

$1599

$378

$25,000

$10,000

$96

$10,000

$48,419.79

OUR LEADERSHIP

MARTHA PLIMPTON

DR. MYRAH BROWN-GREEN

DWAYNE NICHOLSON

RICHARD WALKES

Board Of Director Profiles

Dr. Myrah Brown Green earned her PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies, and has built a career as a noted artist and art historian, art curator and educator. She has been a dedicated Brooklyn community activist for many years, joining the team of the Crown Heights Youth Collective, founded by her husband, in 1980. Almost ten years later, they co-founded the Collective Fellowship and Peace Academy, where she served as principal. She is the founder and Executive Director of MBGreen Arts Curating, dedicated to documenting and promoting the careers of under recognized master and emerging artists of color.

Martha Plimpton rose to prominence as an actress in the classic 1985 film, The Goonies, and has maintained a successful career in movies, television and Broadway, with a long list of credits including such noted films as The Mosquito Coast, Parenthood and voice work in 2019’s Frozen 2. She received Emmy nominations for her work in Law and Order: Special Victims Unit and Raising Hope, winning for Outstanding Guest Actress in A Drama Series for The Good Wife. The politically active Plimpton advocates for LGBT rights causes, and has been an abortion rights activist since her teenage years. She has lobbied Congress on behalf of Planned Parenthood, on whose board she serves.

Richard Walkes, a multimedia designer by trade, has served notable clients including Pfizer, American Express, and Reader’s Digest. He now works full time in the non-profit sector. He has been a Prospect Lefferts Gardens Resident for over 47 years, and follows in the steps of his father, Hugh Walkes, who served as Prospect Lefferts Gardens Neighborhood Association Treasurer for two decades. Richard Walkes serves on the Lefferts Manor Association Board of Directors, and the Crown Heights Association Advisory Board.

Dwayne Nicholson is a financial analyst with comprehensive experience in financial and leadership roles. Currently serving as Senior Business Analyst for the New York City Transit Authority, Nicholson’s experience extends to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection as well. Nicholson has been active in community activities, currently serving as Chief Financial Officer for Prospect Lefferts Gardens Heritage Council Inc., amongst other organizations, and remains politically active, volunteering on several campaigns, including Treasurer for 35th City Council District Candidate Frank Hurley, Brooklyn Borough President Candidate Eric Adams and Mayoral Candidate Bill Thompson.