I’m a political statement just by living!

In May of 2018, Berry-Jean Murray started a new business with the vision of creating an intentional community gathering space. This business was an opportunity to create a sense of community that had been lost–as a Lesbian, she still longed for and sought the comradery of Lesbian gatherings (bars, concerts, meetings, activism, etc.) of the past.

Berry-Jean had a history of creating such spaces; after arriving in Providence in 1976, she had found it difficult to connect with other women and Lesbians of color in Rhode Island. As a young feminist, an African-American man (whom she admired) once challenged her to decide if she was going to be Black or a woman. For a few minutes she thought she had to prioritize aspects of her identity, only to finally claim, “I’m both of those – AND a Lesbian!” With her best friend Carol Monteiro, Berry-Jean founded Providence Gay Women, which started as a consciousness-raising group (an important community organizing tool at the time).

With this new business, Berry-Jean wanted to create a comfortable space with interesting happenings where individuals could find each other and feel a sense of connection and community. Groups could offer meetings, or musicians could perform, or artists could show their work – a place for everybody, but run by Lesbians, who know how to make that space.

Berry-Jean had attended art shows, poetry readings, and other events at the Brooklyn Tea House (sometimes referred to as “The Brooklyn”) a community space in the Hennessey-McHale Block at 209 Douglas Avenue in Providence’s Smith Hill neighborhood. Anthony Demings, an artist who liked to create paintings of the Brooklyn Bridge, owned the building, but it was at risk of sale and demolition. Built in 1873, 209 Douglas Avenue had previously served the Irish community as a grocery store, then operated for 57 years as the Armenian American Civic Club and the home of the first Armenian newspaper in the US.

To preserve the building’s history and realize her vision, Berry-Jean decided to buy The Brooklyn, renaming it The Brooklyn Coffee Tea and Guesthouse to honor its most recent life. She created the tea and coffeehouse of her vision, and also moved her office to the building and offered some short-term living spaces.

And then...COVID hit. Fortunately, Berry-Jean didn’t have a mortgage to support – but she did have to try to keep the place operating. She used the time to expand the kitchen and add an outdoor dining space. But eventually, due to renovations, licensing, and other challenges, she realized the space she wanted to create was not going to happen. Berry-Jean sold the building in Spring 2024.

The following owners renamed the space The Brooklyn House, and retained a similar mission: bringing community together through art, music, entertainment and events. Today it’s an Italian restaurant. Berry-Jean also continues the work of community-building, and is proud to have been a Lesbian Feminist all these years. In the end, Berry-Jean likes all of herself – and is surviving and thriving. As she says, “I’m a political statement just by living!”

Location

Metadata