Brooklyn, IL, is a city of contradictions. A small, sleepy town, in many respects, and home to seven churches and four strip clubs, a school with all grades in it, all within walking distance. Most of the residents and the mayor would rather discuss its rich history, notably being the first Black town in the country. It is the oldest majority-Black incorporated city in the United States, founded by freed and fugitive slaves and incorporated in 1873. Or the leaders and communities plan to make the town more family-based. With all the plans, the strip clubs remain. The strip clubs bring a significant source of income to the city. For this photo series, I aim to delve into these contradictions, exploring all aspects of this small community and understanding its past, decline, future, and the people who comprise it.
