Harlem Focus

11/16/2017

East Harlem mailman serves Thanksgiving feast for nearly 300

East Harlem mailman serves Thanksgiving feast for nearly 300

“This is the beauty of what we do...The entire community is involved.”

07/11/2017

In Upper Manhattan, Visions of a Tech Economy

In Upper Manhattan, Visions of a Tech Economy

Some entrepreneurs and elected officials are striving to develop a tech economy in Harlem and Inwood—and discussing how to ensure that it leads to inclusive prosperity, not displacement.

07/06/2017

People’s Victory: Activists stop effort to rename Harlem south of 125th Street ‘SoHa’

People’s Victory: Activists stop effort to rename Harlem south of 125th Street ‘SoHa’

It looks like the battle to rename Harlem south of 125th Street “SoHa” is coming to an abrupt end.

07/04/2017

Harlem Woman Owned 100 Hats. Then She Bought the Factory.

Talk about SWAG!

When a hat designer mentioned that the ailing S&S Hat Company in Philadelphia was for sale, Georgiette Morgan-Thomas jumped at the opportunity.

06/26/2017

LGBTQ Harlem: Still Queer and Here – Harlem Focus – Medium

Until recently, some say Black historians hid the ways LGBTQ people contributed to the history of Harlem. But as our Linda Villarosa wrote for The Root, “The Harlem of the 1920s… was indisputably gay.”

By Orie Givens

06/25/2017

Pride takes over Harlem in lead-up to Sunday march

Pride takes over Harlem in lead-up to Sunday march

Hundreds packed into several blocks on Saturday afternoon, and in a weekend of pride events, they say it is this that is unique.

06/22/2017

The “Woke”Chef Behind the 1st Dominican Vegetarian Food Business in New York City

With Anthony Santos’ bachata mix playing on her iPhone, 26-year-old Dominican Chef Ysanet Batista sways her hips back and forth as she stirs vegetables in a caldero. The freshly washed produce sizzles in hot oil as Santos croons in the background. Wrapped in an apron, Batista shifts from left to right in her small Washington Heights kitchen, contemplating what to add next to the pot. “She’s like a mad scientist, tasting a little bit of this and that, looking for how she can add crunch, sweetness, or cut the salt in a dish,” says Batista’s close friend...

By: Katherine Hernandez

06/22/2017

Latinidad + Dance: Michelle Manzanales Paves the Way for Latinx Artists

Like many young performers, Michelle Manzanales once volunteered to usher at the Joyce Theater for the chance to catch a free performance. She was immediately awestruck by the beauty of the show. “I remember thinking ‘oh, my God, this is amazing,’” she says. “In that moment, I didn’t even think I would be this person one day.”

by Radhamely De Leon

06/21/2017

Socially managed – Harlem Focus – Medium

Role of the manager is one that is vital, due to the manager’s responsibilities and duties. Over the years, the importance of the manager is one of the few aspects that has not changed in the entertainment industry.

By Gregg Cagle (Part 3 of 3)

06/20/2017

Social Media Influencers help Hollywood Reach Larger audiences.

Collaboration between entertainment companies and influencers on social media can happen in various forms, and successful social media campaigns work for very different reasons.

By Gregg Cagle (Part 2 or 3)

06/19/2017

It Pays to Post: Making Cents of Social Media – Harlem Focus – Medium

If you’ve got a serious social media following on any major platform like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat, or Twitter, chances are it’s worth not just bragging rights. We’re talking cold hard cash!

How to become a profitable social media influencer.

06/18/2017

Spelman College student receives Formation Scholars Award from Beyonce

Spelman College student receives Formation Scholars Award from Beyonce

Beyonce announced the four winners of her Formation Scholars Award for the 2017-2018 academic year, and one of the students is a junior at Spelman College.

06/18/2017

This Woman Wants to Run Harlem's First Billion-Dollar Startup

This Woman Wants to Run Harlem's First Billion-Dollar Startup

Uncharted Play founder Jessica O. Matthews decided to double down on her founding principles and give back to Harlem.

06/17/2017

Harlem-based order of Black nuns to sell uptown location

Harlem-based order of Black nuns to sell uptown location

The Franciscan Handmaids of the Most Pure Heart of Mary, Inc. (FHM), one of three orders of mostly Black nuns in the United States, has put its Harlem location on the market as they restructure.

06/14/2017

Five Of The Most Expensive Homes On The Market In Harlem

Take a look inside some of the priciest homes for sale in the neighborhood.

06/14/2017

Investigators warn of social media dangers after Harlem teacher charged with sex crime against student

Investigators warn of social media dangers after Harlem teacher charged with sex crime against student

A Columbia County teacher remains behind bars after deputies say he sent sexually suggestive Snapchat messages to a former student.

06/13/2017

New York Today: Staying Healthy During a Heat Wave

New York Today: Staying Healthy During a Heat Wave

Tuesday: More scorching weather, the first Citi Bike death, and celebrating music month.

06/10/2017

A massive hip-hop museum is coming to Harlem

A massive hip-hop museum is coming to Harlem

Hip-hop music has had a bigger cultural impact on New York City than perhaps any other genre of music. The beats and rhymes that began echoing out of

06/10/2017

Brokers Who Market Harlem as 'SoHa' Could Be Fined Under Proposed Bill

Brokers Who Market Harlem as 'SoHa' Could Be Fined Under Proposed Bill

The bill would also create a multi-step community process to rename neighborhoods. 

06/08/2017

Rock-Climbing Gym Coming to 125th Street Next Spring

Rock-Climbing Gym Coming to 125th Street Next Spring

The Cliffs at Harlem on 125th Street will be the chain's second-largest after the one in LIC. 

06/07/2017

How Three Harlem Entrepreneurs Are Fighting Gentrification | The New York Times Student Journalism Institute

How Three Harlem Entrepreneurs Are Fighting Gentrification | The New York Times Student Journalism Institute

As Harlem becomes more commercialized, it has lost much of its original charm. In the face of these changes, local business owners, both new and old, have tried to confront Harlem’s new reality.

06/03/2017

Double Dutch Competition

Double Dutch Competition

06/03/2017

The Fashion Outlaw Dapper Dan

The Fashion Outlaw Dapper Dan

Twenty-five years after luxury labels sued his Harlem boutique out of existence, Gucci looks to him for inspiration.

06/02/2017

Former Amy Ruth’s owner in dire straits

Former Amy Ruth’s owner in dire straits

Carl Redding once paid for a couple of kids to attend Rice High School, when it was still around. Carl Redding is used to helping other people.

06/01/2017

‘I didn’t realize that an A in Harlem was not the same as an A in a majority-white high school’: One student’s discovery

‘I didn’t realize that an A in Harlem was not the same as an A in a majority-white high school’: One student’s discovery

A new group called Teens Take Charge recently hosted an open-mic event featuring the voices of high school students from across the city. Here’s what they said.

05/27/2017

How can I pay off $175,000 in student loans and still have a life?

How can I pay off $175,000 in student loans and still have a life?

I am 27 and just graduated from law school with about $175,000 in student loans.

05/18/2017

East Harlem Rezoning and Housing Plans 'Land Grab for the Rich,' Locals Say

East Harlem Rezoning and Housing Plans 'Land Grab for the Rich,' Locals Say

Residents largely criticized the rezoning plan and said the housing development would exclude locals.

05/18/2017

‘I didn’t realize that an A in Harlem was not the same as an A in a majority-white high school’: One student’s discovery

‘I didn’t realize that an A in Harlem was not the same as an A in a majority-white high school’: One student’s discovery

05/18/2017

Harlem Playwright to Honor Work of Malcolm X and Lorraine Hansberry

Harlem Playwright to Honor Work of Malcolm X and Lorraine Hansberry

Both figures share a birthday on May 19.

05/17/2017

Marvel Cancels Ta-Nehisi Coates' Police Brutality Comic

Marvel Cancels Ta-Nehisi Coates' Police Brutality Comic

‘Black Panther and the Crew’ will end after six issues

05/17/2017

Billionaire cuts $10M deal to build new residential building on Harlem church site

Billionaire cuts $10M deal to build new residential building on Harlem church site

After struggling to keep up with mounting expenses, a Harlem church is seeking to sell its property to billionaire Moujan Vahdat in a deal valued at $

05/16/2017

Leaky roofs, power outages plague NYC Libraries, report says

Leaky roofs, power outages plague NYC Libraries, report says

Leaky roofs and poor electrical systems can be found across the boroughs' libraries, a report says.