East New York, Brooklyn — Instead of a typical policy discussion, the CB5 Aging, Health and Social Services Committee meeting featured a wellness session led by Alicia Joy Powell, a licensed nurse and doula who works in maternal health and community wellness.
Powell opened the discussion with a simple question directed at the room of longtime community advocates.
"My question for you is: who takes care of you? You have a cup that gets emptied and poured out. It needs to be filled."
Around the table sat residents who have spent years working on issues affecting East New York — from tenant advocacy and domestic violence support to neighborhood organizing and mental health counseling.
The conversation highlighted a reality many community leaders know well: those who spend their time helping others often carry the emotional weight of the work themselves.
Dr. Angela Mitchell, a committee co-chair, said caregivers frequently shoulder responsibilities that go unseen.
"Black women are carriers. We carry a lot."
Powell led participants through breathing and reflection exercises designed to help them pause and focus on their own well-being. Members repeated affirmations such as "I do not have to carry the world on my shoulders" and "I deserve support too."
Several participants shared their own experiences managing stress from both family responsibilities and community service.
"Stress used to beat me up until I learned how to deal with it."
Beyond the personal discussion, the meeting also explored ways to bring wellness resources to East New York residents. Powell offered to collaborate with the committee on workshops, maternal health education and community wellness programs.
The conversation illustrated how community board meetings sometimes serve another purpose beyond government oversight: bringing together neighborhood leaders who quietly support residents every day. For many in the room, the discussion provided a rare opportunity to slow down and reflect.
"This is not done enough. A lot of people don't know how transformative spaces like this can be."