Written by Leisurely contributor Lysandra Whitlow (@barbabeofbrooklyn)

Celebrating Black History Month is a chance to reflect on the rich history of Black people and their abundance of contributions made to society. We often think of Black history in the context of the past or a history that isn't close to us in proximity. Within the past year, we’ve seen firsthand that history is made up close and by the people in our communities; this Black History Month is no different. Celebrating Black History Month, this year means celebrating people like KP Sykes who is making Black history daily as the co-owner of The Armory Bar in Brooklyn and a community leader. 

Since the start of the pandemic, KP and his business partner have turned The Armory into a neighborhood food pantry. After seeing the need in their community, they opened their bar to those in need by providing food for their neighbors. First starting as a part time effort, KP and his partner took on a full-time role serving others after seeing the impact they had. KP exemplifies Black excellence, and we got a chance to chat with him about Black History Month and how he celebrates a month with so much meaning.

Why do you celebrate BHM?

KP: I celebrate Black History Month because it’s a time of year that reminds me to slow down and take inventory of my life and those around me. It gives me a moment for self-reflection, which is unique to me as a black man. I annually find solace during this month by reminding myself of the importance of literature told for us, by us. 

What is the most celebratory aspect of BHM? What do you enjoy most about BHM?

KP: My parents would always express the importance of reading literature that was relevant to our culture. Every black history month my mom, dad, or grandmother would give me a book that reflected the black experience. Even in my very young years, (I taught myself how to read when I was 4yrs old) books were an integral part of my household. I was also mischievous and oftentimes my punishment would be to go to my room and read. Little did my parents know they were actually fueling the fire of a young bibliophile. “Tar Beach” is one of my earliest literary loves; I would read it to myself every night for years. Once I started elementary school, the majority of the curriculum surrounding Black History Month was pretty thin and redundant. Luckily, I had my parents and my Granny who would always have a book waiting for me come February; literary works by Faith Ringgold, Walter Dean Meyers, Mildred D. Taylor, Richard Wright, and even more contemporary authors like Ta Nahesi Coates. It’s a tradition we still have to this day and I’m ever grateful for it because it helped define what celebrating Black History means to me.

What are some of your fondest memories of BHM?

KP: One of my fondest memories of black history month was a particular February when I was about 16 years old. I got into trouble at school and became grounded so, reading was the only activity allowed. I forget the book my family had given me (it may have been Their Eyes Were Watching God) however my teacher assigned “Native Son” by Richard Wright. Now I hadn’t attended this teacher's class for over a month, and he thought it would be impossible for me to catch up (Native son is three books in one and roughly 544 pages). I read the entire book that weekend. I started reading Friday evening and was done by Sunday morning, with a full report ready for school on Monday. The book rubbed me the wrong way and upset me at every turn and that’s when it hit me, good art is supposed to move you, it’s supposed to evoke feelings that you didn’t think could happen from words written many years ago by a total stranger. Not only did I prove that teacher wrong, I fell in love with literature all over again. He still failed me even though I got a perfect score on every test! So, shout out to you Mr. Kanyuk!!

Tell us about your BHM cocktail and how you found inspiration for the recipe?

KP: Growing up in the projects in Brooklyn, I’m used to having a constant supply of background noise, which over the years has left me conditioned to ONLY be able to read with noise in the background. Weird I know. I often find myself bringing a book with me to a bar and having a good read with a great drink. So that inspired me to come up with this cocktail that is something sophisticated enough to cozy up with at home yet bold enough to start a conversation at any bar, much like a really good piece of literature.

“Native Son”

·       1 1/2 oz Pierre Ferand Cognac

·       1 1/2 oz raspberry syrup

·       1/4 oz lemon juice

·       Sparkling wine

·       1/4 oz Absinthe

·       Dried rose hips 

Fill a large coupe glass with ice and water, add 1/4 oz absinthe and set glass aside, in a tumbler add cognac, raspberry syrup, and lemon juice, fill with ice and shake vigorously. Discard the contents of the coupe glass, and strain the cocktail of tumbler into the coupe. Fill with sparkling wine garnish with rose hips.