We, the Brooklyn Oldtimers Foundation, held our first meetings half a century ago, when Bertram Baker was leaving the political stage. We are retired police officers, firefighters, social workers and teachers. We are proud of Ron Howell for writing this book about his grandfather: Boss of Black Brooklyn: The Life and Times of Bertram L. Baker. In December of 2016, we gave Ron a plaque that said, ‘A son of Bed-Stuy, you never forgot your roots. Your outstanding journalistic skills have been a breath of fresh air, shown in your published articles.’ Using Ron’s book, we will teach our youngsters what it means to be from black Brooklyn and how they should be faithful to it. Over the years we have given hundreds of thousands of dollars to college-bound students from our community. ‘Bed-Stuy, do or die,’ we used to say back in the day. We will fight today’s onslaughts and try to keep black Brooklyn breathing. The Boss would want us to do it.”