Flushing Meadows Corona Park — Queens NY
June 21, 2025 — 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Brown People Barbeque™
Welcome to
BPB — NYC
Launched on Governor’s Island in 2017 by Queens residences and best friends, David Cox and Shay McIntosh, “Black People’s Barbecue” was created as an event that celebrated culture, community, and celebration. Year, over the year, the event grew in size and attendees. After a 5 year hiatus, due to the Covid-19 global pandemic, BPB™ vivaciously reemerges reimagined and expanded. Protecting its diverse, equitable, and inclusive core, the newly rechristen “Brown People Barbeque” returns excitedly in 2025 to the borough that sparked it all, Queens New York.
BPB Theme:
True Libration
June 19, 1885 was a surreal, unprecedented, and historical day that symbolizes true freedom for millions of people. Although more widely recognized today than ever before, its significance remains unfamiliar to many people. However for African Americans, its meaning and significance has been resiliently celebrated and memorialized for near 140 years.
It reached its highest milestone in June 2021, when the United States Congress passed the National Independence Act, President Joe Biden signed the bill into law and “Juneteenth”, also known as Freedom, Emancipation, Libration, and Jubilee Day, was finally officiated as the 12th federal holiday.
To honor of the “last”* ~250,000* Africans* who were delivered their liberation, tens of thousands who sacrificed for our freedom, and millions who endured for our existence, BPB™ proudly selects Juneteenth as this year’s theme for celebrations.
To learn more about Juneteenth
Grub and Fun
Three things are always true about Brown folks' cookouts:
”Don’t stop seasonin’ until you start sneezin”,
”You can’t get to groovin” without some real good music” and “Don’t renege.”
BPB™ 2025 reinforces each one.
Upholding the theme’s tradition, BPB™ encourages attendees to incorporate
the color red into dishes that you’ll bring, honoring the “life” spilled to overcome.
From red sauce barbecue and red beans/rice to red velvet cake and strawberry daiquiris, see this year’s (managed) menu and a curated inspiration list of food and drinks below.
Food
The party doesn’t start until you hear “Summertime”.
Sending attendees through space and time, BPB™ has curated playlists spanning the 50s to Beyoncé. To ensure that you don’t mess up the line, practice these essentials in advance.
Music
What’s a cookout without a card game? (Somebody say “Boring.”)
At BPB™ 2025, expect anything but boring with classics like Spades and Dominos generating their highly concentrated turned heated commotion, while temperature triggering newcomers Uno No Mercy, Black Card Revoked, and more are guaranteed to ignite hilarious crash-outs.
Entertainment
The Merch
It’s not a family function without a collectible.
Preorder yours, and your little ones’, official 2025 BPB™ memorabilia tee by June 6.
Subject to MOQ. Preorder Monday 5/26 - Friday 6/6. Delivery by 6/18.
53 Open /7 Going
Spots are limited and we can’t wait to see you there.