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Head of Jamaica Center BID Leaving for Brooklyn

By Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska | August 29, 2013 1:21pm
 Laurel Brown is leaving the Jamaica Center BID.
Laurel Brown is leaving the Jamaica Center BID.
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DNAinfo/Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska

QUEENS — The director of the Jamaica Center BID, who launched the annual Jamaica fashion show and worked on improving window displays along Jamaica Avenue, is stepping down to join a business group in Brooklyn.

Laurel Brown will be replaced by Felicia Tunnah, who has more than 10 years experience in working at other neighborhood business organizations, including the Downtown Alliance and the Union Square Partnership.

Brown, who worked as the BID's executive director since 2011, is moving to the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership.

She said working in Jamaica had exercised her creativity. “In a neighborhood this dynamic, you can't help but to come into work every day and be inspired,” she said in a statement. “I am honored to have had an opportunity to help shape the transformation," she said.

During her tenure, Brown helped attract new businesses to the area and focused on changing Jamaica’s image. She launched the neighborhood's fashion show, showcasing local designers and promoting the neighborhood as a shopping destination. The event attracted about 400 people this year.

The organization is also kicking off a “Queens Royalty” campaign this fall, which includes organizing concerts, art exhibits and late night events to encourage local businesses to stay open later in the evening.

Tunnah, who will begin her work as the new executive director on Sept. 10, holds an MA in urban planning from the University of Pennsylvania and lives in Park Slope.

"Whether its eating lunch at Rincon Salvadreno Restaurant, seeing a performance at JPAC, or shopping at all the great fashion stores — Downtown Jamaica has it all and I'm excited to now be part of it," said Tunnah in a statement.