There’s a line from a Hopi poem that resonates with Brandon Cosby: “We are the ones we have been waiting for.”
It’s a line that shapes the way Cosby is looking at his new role as executive director of Flanner House, the 118-year-old nonprofit that aims to empower the community toward self-sufficiency by sharing educational, social and economic resources.
“Instead of looking outward for someone to come in from outside the community to solve our issues, we need to look within and look at each other and recognize what we’re perfectly capable of doing for ourselves,” Cosby said.
In his new role, Cosby picks up the torch left by the late Wilbert Buckner, the organization’s beloved executive director who lost his battle with cancer in October.
“When I came in and met the staff, you could feel the sadness and the fact that they were still mourning. They loved that man,” Cosby said. “The day I came to meet the staff was going to be just introductions and then start fresh on the following Monday, but I just stayed.”
In the weeks since taking the helm at Flanner House, Cosby has been taking stock of the organization’s programs and setting goals, while working to honor the work Buckner left unfinished.
“I could see where he had left off and where he was wanting to go with the different programs and initiatives,” Cosby said.
Cosby points to the Skills to Success program — a job readiness program — as one he can tell Buckner was passionate about. Instead of taking his own direction, Cosby said he is looking at enhancing what already exists.
“I get to come in and look at this work of art he started and add a few more brushstrokes to it.”
Part of the beauty of Flanner House, Cosby says, is that its focus has been consistent, so he has clear outlines to follow.
“It’s not like we’re talking about brand new initiatives. It’s a continuation or extension of services we’ve always done, and just looking at it based on the current social and political context,” he said. “When I sat down and made the list of things I hope to accomplish during my tenure as director, as I continue to dig deeper into the history of Flanner House, every single thing on the list has already been done by Flanner House at one time or another.”
For example, Flanner House used to offer a robust food program, which included teaching community members gardening, canning, cooking and nutrition. In today’s current social and political context, Cosby says it’s imperative to bring this program back.
“The biggest issue we’re facing, and the most immediate and pressing issue, is food access.”
Cosby said a food access committee is working on plans to bring a grocery store to the area, but something needs to be done sooner.
“It’s a two-year process to build and open a store before a single grocery item can be sold,” he said. “Folks aren’t eating right now. They don’t have access to food right now.”
Cosby’s plan is for Flanner House to start an urban farming initiative “as soon as the weather breaks.”
“We are going to produce food on the grounds and also provide the opportunity for families in the area to have a section or plot of land to produce their own food for themselves,” he said. “We also hope to be able to operationalize into a farmers market on a weekly or biweekly basis.”
Cosby said he also hopes to expand youth programming.
“We currently have a child development center, and we go all the way up to pre-k. We have a before- and after-care program for school-aged children, so that focuses with kids between the ages of 5 and 12. But we have no real programming for kids between the ages of 12 and 20, which is a significant issue and a concern.”
Cosby is considering working with the Kheprw Institute to offer coding classes in the computer lab at Flanner House, and he said he’d like to offer classes such as creative writing and a study of hip-hop culture.
Cosby envisions a summer program that delves into various aspects of hip-hop history and culture, from spinning and breakdancing to graffiti and, of course, the music. For teen programming, Cosby aims to move beyond sports.
“Black kids are significantly more capable and intellectually developed beyond putting all their hopes, dreams and opportunities or engagement in playing basketball.”
Cosby also hopes to foster a stronger multi-generational community within Flanner House.
“We have a very vibrant seniors program that I would love to see have a greater impact on our child development center,” he said. “These seniors are here every day, and they’re engaged with each other, but I would love to see more of a transference of that wisdom and knowledge to the younger people.”
One idea Cosby is working with is having the talented cooks of the older generation get involved with the urban farming initiative.
“I have this entire collection of ladies who are also brilliant cooks, but also in that African and African-American tradition of surviving and struggle, learned how to do a whole lot with very little. Now imagine being able to leverage that wisdom in the context of creating a farm and teaching people how to preserve and can food, and helping them be able to arrive at this understanding by having this living library of these ladies.”
In addition to revamping and reviving programs, Cosby wants to get the word out that the organization is operating and is open to everybody. Cosby said he recently learned of a misconception of Flanner House in the community.
“I was speaking with a group of Hispanic men and asking them what they knew about the area and about Flanner House. They listed all the things we do — senior citizens, child care, job training. I said you all ever go there? And one guy looked at me and said that place is for Black people.”
Cosby revealed himself as the Flanner House director and reiterated the organization is open for everybody.
“And he said, ‘Well how come nothing you send out to the community is in Spanish?’”
That struck a chord with Cosby, and he’s vowed to start communicating about Flanner House programs in both English and Spanish.
“We want people in here who feel they can benefit from what we offer, period. Language shouldn’t be a prerequisite for that, nor should race.”
Cosby is also hoping to see more involvement from Flanner House “alums,” and he’s working on reaching out to them.
“We talk about not forgetting where we came from … People who’ve reaped the benefits of this place can become the greatest ambassadors for the work we continue to do.”
