Join us for a celebration of Duane Joseph’s life:
Duane Joseph Plaza Co-Naming Ceremony
- Saturday, August 10, 2024
- 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Parkside Plaza – Q Train Station Entrance
Ocean Avenue & Parkside Avenue, Brooklyn • map
Duane Joseph was a dedicated board member whose massive presence and humor were only surpassed by his passion for the community – both its people and places. He worked hard to bring agency information to community members and local insight to agency proposals.
Duane simultaneously criticized, and believed in, local government. That is how he found the board, and then became a part of it. As he filed many service delivery requests, his desire grew to become a part of the solution for the very issues he was advocating for. He took initiative to meet with CB14’s district office to talk about community conditions, then followed that meeting up by reaching out to his local business improvement district, then followed that up by attending 70th Precinct Community Council meetings at all of the sectors Build the Block meetings once NYPD began the NCO program.
Duane’s participation served to instill in others that same confidence or at least willingness to strive toward solutions. He became a CB14 member in 2015. As co-chair of the Youth Committee, he was a thoughtful steward of CB14’s annual Youth Conference. Even when he co-chaired other committees, he always found a way to lend a helping hand. Duane always strived each year to serve the youth of the community in ever more expansive, creative and meaningful ways.
In addition, Duane always offered great vision. A great example of said vision is when he spearheaded the addition of Economic Development to CB14’s committee structure, and was then appointed to co-chair the Community Environment, Cultural Affairs and Economic Development Committee. He also served as the Co-Chair for the African Burial Ground Task Force and in 2023 was elected as CB14’s First Vice Chair.
Since his passing, Duane Joseph has been memorialized through the dedication of CB14’s 2024 Youth Conference. A 2024 CB14 Lunch and Learn series focused on health, health disparities in our community and lifestyle was also presented in his honor. His handsome headshot was featured in an installation in Newkirk Plaza, which was sponsored by FDC and he has been memorialized by the Parkside Plaza Group, which he helped found.
These slivers of what Duane did (because Duane did A LOT) unequivocally show that Duane Joseph was a spectacular human being. This street co-naming is a fitting tribute to his community advocacy.
Duane Joseph is missed.
Karl-Henry Cesar, Brooklyn Community Board 14 Chair