DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — The inaugural Brooklyn Family Leadership Summit explored family life, culture and commerce on Jan. 28 at City Point, 445 Albee Sq.
Presented by City Point, Brooklyn Org and Brooklyn Bridge Parents, a digital media platform and event producer serving families across Brooklyn and New York City, the breakfast summit featured two dynamic panel conversations: “How Brooklyn Families Live, Play and Connect” and “2026: Creating Family Experiences in Brooklyn.”
The panelists examined the evolving priorities of Brooklyn families and how the borough’s cultural, civic and business leaders can shape meaningful experiences.
From left: Anthony Evrard, CEO and founder of Court 16; Laval Bryant-Quigley, director of communications, engagement and partnerships at Brooklyn Museum; Elizabeth Harnett, deputy director of public programs at Brooklyn Bridge Park; Maria Carrasco, vice president of public programs at the Prospect Park Alliance; and moderator and Lyricist Lounge CEO Anthony Marshall. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso provided opening remarks peppered with optimism. “What we are doing here today is showing that community takes care of community,” Reynoso said. “For all of you to come here today at 9 a.m. on a ridiculously cold day brings me such joy and promise of what the future truly looks like.”
Creating new partnerships within Brooklyn
Katharina Goetz, president of Brooklyn Bridge Parents, told the Brooklyn Eagle, “It’s about time we had a forum on families in Brooklyn. There are 600,000 children under 18 here — a very big number.”
Goetz pointed out that the main goal of the Family Leadership Summit is to share ideas on how to service Brooklyn families better. “I want people to network today and create new partnerships within Brooklyn,” she said.
Erica Roseman, president of Concrete Communications, a creative marketing and branding agency based in Brooklyn, spoke about how City Point has always been a huge proponent of families in Kings County.
“Today is about exchanging ideas and seeing what we can do better for the community,” Roseman said. “This would encompass shopping, dining, entertainment and the like. Brooklyn is and has always been about family.”
Paul Travis, partner of City Point and one of the event’s moderators, noted that City Point has had a focus on families since its inception, calling it “a big part of what makes Brooklyn special and unique.”