BMS’s roots go back to a founding Leadership who were part of the Brownsville Community Council (BCC) established in the 60s with the aim of organizing and empowering residents to develop responses to problems rooted in the radical community shift that started back in the 1950s. It was this group of community organizers who were on the frontlines of the activism that led to the Brownsville Teachers Strike. The Brownsville Community Development Corporation (BCDC) emerged in 1974, the first Community Development Corporation that came out of the federal anti-poverty initiative and the umbrella organization which later opened BMS in 1982. That decision was driven by a community survey where residents identified health care as their number one priority. BCDC created BMS as a federally qualified health center in order to provide service regardless of ability to pay, immigration or health insurance status. As part of our founding BCDC successfully advocated with Brooklyn Legal A to New York State Legislators to allow access to healthcare capital dollars for development by non-profits, not just hospitals – a change that paved the way for increases in healthcare access statewide. Today BMS provides for and seeks to inspire the cultural, economic, medical, and educational well-being of every individual and family in its communities. About Our Founder: Joseph Francois Joseph Francois was the former Chief Executive Officer of BCDC and the founding Executive Director of BMS. Mr. Francois, who passed away on July 13, 2003, was a tireless and passionate advocate for the people of Brownsville, Ocean Hill, and East New York. It was his leadership and vision that shaped the corporation’s mission as a social change agent. His legacy is in our every achievement. On May 11, 2006, the BMS Health & Wellness Centers (BMS) held a dedication ceremony during which BMS renamed one of its seven service sites as the “BMS Life & Wellness Center: The Joseph K. Francois Pavilion,” in honor of our late founding executive director of BMS.