Co-Founder + Project Director for L3BA, Brenda B. is a Nuyorican native of Manhattan and a longtime resident of the neighborhood since 1997. Driven by a spiritual commitment to community service, she co-founded the Lex & 3rd Block Association (L3BA) alongside her neighbor, Brian, to foster local engagement and stewardship. In addition to her leadership at L3BA, Brenda is the founder of Lex & 3rd Unity Project (L3UP) LLC creator of Paradigm Paintings. L3UP is a mission-driven social enterprise that produces original art and creative initiatives designed to support L3BA’s community goals. 

The Lex & 3rd Block Association (L3BA) is a committed group of local residents striving to support the neighborhood in areas of cleanliness, political representation, and cultural preservation.

L3BA is a self-organized, unregistered community group: This is a group of people in a neighborhood who organize to address local community issues, like safety, beautification, and organizing community events, without formal legal incorporation or nonprofit registration. Such groups operate informally but have an important impact on their community. 

Co-Founder + Senior Board Member for L3BA, Brian has been a 20+ veteran of the community and has seen a lot of positive change in our neighborhood since moving here in January 2000. His enthusiasm and care for the neighborhood started in the early 2000’s when he successfully petitioned the parks department and city to have trees planted along East 99th Street. Brian has known Brenda for many years, and they shared common goals and ideals to help keep our community clean, safe and support our many local businesses.