Mark Meyer Appel sits in his office on the second floor of the Bridge Multicultural Advocacy Project (MCP) where he juggles calls from elected officials, residents, activists, and civic and religious leaders from all of Brooklyn’s diverse communities concerning issues of the day.
“From Baltimore to Ferguson to Crown Heights we’re all children of God and have to work together,” Appel says between fielding calls.
It is from this reasoning that Appel created The Bridge Project and The Bridge MCP, a 6,000-square foot multi-functional venue in the two-story building he owns at 1894 Flatbush Avenue near Brooklyn College. All with the mission to “unite and energize people of every racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious group across New York City and the United States. To address social issues facing society today and to advocate for transformational social change as “ONE” united community to promote and advocate government to educate society as a combined unified voice.”
Since opening its doors last October, Bridge MCP has hosted 40 events – everything from hosting some of the city’s top elected officials such as Public Advocate Letitia James and Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson to opening its doors free of charge to a Moroccan Women’s Empowerment organization which drew Muslim women from various countries now living throughout Brooklyn.
“It (The Bridge Project) is absolutely important. When we run into problems and there’s miscommunication and differences of opinion on legislation, we need to bridge the gateway for communication,” said Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum, Director of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, following a luncheon meeting at the Bridge, in which Midwood Assemblywoman Rodnyse Bichotte explained her views on legislation concerning an education tax credit that both some attending African-American and Jewish clergy leaders didn’t agree with.
“He (Appel) has been instrumental in bringing a lot of people together. The Bridge gives a vehicle and venue for people to sit and talk to each other, and gain understanding and respect,” Rabbi Tannenbaum added.
While The Bridge MCP is clearly Appel’s current focus, he has a long history of dedicating his life to public service. This includes being a president of The Voice of Justice for Children and Families, in which he is one of the county’s leading advocates in keeping children safe from sexual abuse and exploitation; early childhood education, and special education, and serving under several mayoral administrations as a trustee of the New York City Health and Hospital Corporation.
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Appel was also recently honored by the United States Congress in Washington DC for his work advancing civil rights for all Americans and promoting inter-cultural understanding. This work led Congressman Joe Kennedy to bestow upon Appel the “Freedom Award” including a special recognition from Civil Rights Activist Congressman John Lewis.
But from his office on the second floor of The Bridge MCP, Appel realizes the importance of bridging cultural differences locally.
“Brooklyn and the world are made up of so many different ethnic communities and we share more commonalities than we don’t share. Everybody wants good schools, safe streets and good healthcare,” he said.
