Black History Month

Encouraged by my daughter to use social media to share with colleagues and the younger generation Harlem’s vast culture and issues, as a long time Harlem resident, I've created this blog. My goal is to communicate my experiences and activities involving the various organizations I am actively committed to, who continue to make contributions to Harlem, New York City and beyond.  And it's certainly no coincidence that I am launching this new space during Black History month!

As I get older, I am more convinced of the value and power of sharing our history across generations. We see new folks come into the scene every day and we work hard to recognize & build upon similar hopes and dreams. It is true that the culture and landscape of Harlem has evolved with the times but so much remains the same. Maybe this is why I am doing this--to keep the links to our past alive.  

I want to use this space to share and reflect on my experiences about myself and the relationship I have built around historic organizations in Harlem, like the New Heritage Theatre Group (49 years), the Harlem Arts Alliance (11 years), IMPACT Repertory Theatre (15 years) and the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, one of the oldest Chambers in New York City (116 years).

I also want this space to be an ongoing conversation, so I encourage you to comment and share!

A number of my colleagues in Black Theater and entertainment who are also using culture to break down barriers of misunderstanding celebrated black history month with an eclectic group of presentations that addressed pertinent issues about the African American community.

Harry Belafonte, Gina Belafonte and the National Black Theatre presented “Lyrics From Lockdown” featuring an outstanding African American actor Byronn Bain, who was mistakenly incarcerated and brilliantly shares that ordeal through spoken word, poetry, music, and multi-media presentation

At the Dwyer Cultural Center, Woodie King Jr’s National Black Touring Circuit teamed with New Heritage Theatre to present by popular demand a story about the iconic first black congressman from Harlem, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., brilliantly portrayed by Timothy Simonson and directed by the award winning Shauneille Perry.

The Apollo Theatre launched its Apollo Club Harlem written and conceived by their Executive producer Mikki Shepard and superbly directed and choreographed by Maurice Hines with an array of talented performances that harkens back to the 1930 and 40’s in Harlem, when the nightclubs were elegant and showcased by the best of African-American talent.

And this is just what I attended over two weekends in my beloved community.  I was exposed to a journey through Harlem as presented by these groups that addressed intergenerational, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural audiences-- each presentation brilliantly highlighted the rich history and culture of the village of Harlem. 

I loved it. And I was proud to be a part of it.