BKLYN Family Leadership Summit Brings Brooklyn’s Family Leaders Together

Feb 3, 2026

A woman gives a presentation to a seated audience, with a slide titled "Helping Families Thrive" displayed on a screen behind her.

Three women stand together indoors, smiling at the camera. Two wear name tags and one wears a sleeveless black dress, while the others are in sweaters and blazers.

A diverse group of people sits in rows at an indoor event, listening attentively and taking notes. Some hold papers or notebooks; one person in the back is taking a photo.

A speaker addresses an audience at the BKLYN Family Leadership Summit, with event sponsors displayed on a screen behind him.

A woman speaks while pointing at a presentation slide titled "The Case for Brooklyn," which features text and a photo of people on the Brooklyn Bridge.

Three people stand and converse in a well-lit indoor setting, with other attendees and white folding chairs visible in the background.

Ten adults stand together indoors, smiling for a group photo in front of a colorful wall display that reads "SHOW BROOKLYN MAKERS SOME LOVE.

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On a crisp Wednesday morning at City Point, community leaders, cultural institutions, and family-focused innovators gathered for the BKLYN Family Leadership Summit, a collaborative convening hosted by Brooklyn Org, Brooklyn Bridge Parents and Concrete Communications. The morning centered on how Brooklyn families live, play, and connect today, and what it will take to build meaningful family experiences in the years ahead.

The summit opened with welcoming remarks from Katharina Goetz, President of Brooklyn Bridge Parents, followed by a presentation from Brooklyn Org’s own Chief of Staff, Liane Stegmaier, who shared reflections on Brooklyn Backs Brooklyn—highlighting how philanthropy plays a critical role in strengthening families and supporting community-rooted organizations across the borough.

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso then delivered opening remarks, grounding the conversation in his lived experience as a Brooklyn parent and underscoring the importance of investing in spaces and programs that allow families to thrive.

How Brooklyn Families Live, Play & Connect

Moderated by Paul Travis, President of Washington Square Partners and Co-Owner of City Point, the first panel explored the everyday realities of family life in Brooklyn—spotlighting access to recreation, culture, education, and community connection.

Panelists included:

Penny Amodai, Vice President, Brooklyn Basketball
Max Friedman, Founder, Space Club
Atiba T. Edwards, Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Kate Vermilyea, Young Adult Librarian, Brooklyn Public Library
Sasha’mani Francois, Founder, Future Stars Futbal

Creating Family Experiences in Brooklyn in 2026

The second panel looked ahead to how Brooklyn can continue building inclusive, joyful, and accessible experiences for families in the years to come. The conversation was moderated by Anthony Marshall of Lyricist Lounge.

Panelists included:

Maria Carrasco, VP of Public Programs, Prospect Park
Anthony Evrard, CEO & Founder, Court 16
Elizabeth Harnett, Deputy Director of Public Programs, Brooklyn Bridge Park
Laval Bryant-Quigley, Director of Community Engagement & Partnerships, Brooklyn Museum

Brooklyn Org is grateful to Brooklyn Bridge Parents, City Point, Concrete Communications and all the panelists for their partnership and care in bringing this community-centered gathering to life. The summit sparked meaningful dialogue and reaffirmed a shared commitment to showing up for Brooklyn families, today and into the future.