Summary(1:50) Previously working from home. Situation surreal -- (4:02) Introduction to Bed-Stuy Strong mutual aid group: flyer at grocery store -- (4:50) Moved to Bed-Stuy from Harlem -- (5:30) Organized grocery delivery, using Venmo mobile payment. Now trains volunteers -- (6:50) Organization’s systems improving over time -- (8:00) Not experienced in community organizing: more productive, cooperative than he anticipated. Inspiring -- (9:15) “Solidarity not charity” -- (9:45) Mutual aid work has helped him to weather this period -- (11:00) Engaging with community leaders. Devastation in Bed-Stuy community not reflected in news -- (12:15) Concerned that community will be worse off in future -- (15:45) Hopes Bed-Stuy Strong exists beyond pandemic -- (17:15) Inspired by seeing community commitment to help one another.
NoteAudio interview conducted on May 7, 2020, by Zoe Grueskin. Collected for the Covid-19 Oral History Project through Our Streets, Our Stories, an oral history project of Brooklyn Public Library. This project is a partnership with Services for Older Adults and the Brooklyn Collection.
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TitleOral history interview with Derek Smith on 2020 May 7.