BROOKLYN, NY.- The stoops of New York City have always been the place to meet up, catch up, and build community. During Covid-19, city stoops became a place to safely socialize, play and cheer on essential workers. Stoops were often people’s only connection to the outside world. Amid the challenges of the past year in New York City, photographer Marj Kleinman and writer, Lara Weinberg lovingly captured that range of experiences and examples of community. The result—Stoop Stories—is a documentary storytelling project that forms the basis of a new exhibition composed of more than 150 images and stories representing families, essential workers, small business owners, and activists from around Brooklyn. On view at Brooklyn Children’s Museum, the exhibition is included with general admission.

“A stoop is a way that people connect—but also a platform for protest, creativity and more,” says Marj Kleinman, photographer and creator of the project. “We are trying to bring light to topics that aren’t normally talked about, to help people feel seen and heard by turning our focus to their struggle, their joy and the resilience of New York.”

“These photographs highlight the energy and resilience of Brooklyn families, the same families whose laughter and footsteps breathe life into Brooklyn Children’s Museum every day,” says Hana Elwell, the Museum’s VP of Exhibits and Education. “The families featured are a poignant reminder of the collective strength and spirit of our Brooklyn community. We’re truly in this together.”




Visitors are able to take a “Stoopie” (stoop-selfie) on an indoor stoop and submit their own story to StoopStories.net. Kleinman and Weinberg continue to produce and curate stoop experiences of everyday New Yorkers in collaboration with communities across the five boroughs.

Marj Kleinman is a visual storyteller and the creator of Stoop Stories. A lifelong Brooklynite, residing in her childhood brownstone, she has years of stoop-sitting under her belt. This symbol of Brooklyn culture is both her refuge and muse, especially in times of crisis.

Before focusing on photography, Marj was a children’s educational media producer, creating award-winning games and activities for kids, families and teachers at PBS Kids, Sesame Workshop, Scholastic, and Noggin. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Time Out New York and on PIX11, PBS Parents and Scary Mommy. Marj holds an M.A. in Educational Psychology from New York University and a B.S. in Theater Management from Emerson College.

Lara Weinberg is the co-producer and editorial director of Stoop Stories. She is a pun-loving wordsmith and communications consultant with eclectic experience in entertainment, marketing, and media. Born and bred in NYC, Lara studied Literature & Rhetoric at Binghamton University-SUNY and went on to associate produce “The Writing Code” — a critically acclaimed, three-part PBS series on the origin, history and art of writing. She is the former managing director of MGTN, a nonprofit leadership and career transition organization, and was the Director of Sales and Business Development for ShadowTV.

In May 2020, despite being stoopless in the city, this ground-floor apartment dweller was enlisted to create content for and co-produce Stoop Stories. Channeling her COVID blues into heartfelt storytelling, Lara is proud to edit prose, contribute original pieces, and craft stories that honor her fellow New Yorkers.