Category Archives: politics

Harlem, let’s make history with her

I should be doing a ton of other things right now, but I’m not. I can’t stop thinking about tomorrow and the day after. November 8 has to be the biggest day in American politics and history. And every Harlem establishment imaginable is holding viewing parties tomorrow night! Where will you be watching?

Tomorrow is the big day! Let’s get out the vote tomorrow and make history together by electing the first women to the highest office in the land, President of the United States. May Wednesday be a brand, new historical day for America!

Attend UN Women’s free event June 26 at Harlem’s famous Apollo Theater

Under Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is hosting an event in Harlem at the Apollo Theater and we are all invited to attend! The June 26 event is in celebration of the launch of the UN Women’s global campaign leading up to the 20th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. Tickets are free and can be downloaded by using this link.

DATE: June 26

TIME: 5–7 p.m., Doors open at 4 pm

LOCATION: Apollo Theater, 253 W 125th Street

NOTE: Please print the confirmation page and present it upon your arrival for admission to the Apollo Theater. Seating is on a first come, first served basis, therefore it is strongly suggest that participants arrive ahead of time to avoid missing the beginning of the event, and to secure a seat.

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Want a Harlem t-shirt? Keep Harlem, Harlem tees now available

On this Harlem blog, I use tees to feature the subject matter, ie Harlem. Sometimes readers ask, where can I buy a unique tee with the name Harlem on it? Here’s an option. One of my favorite Harlem sites, Harlem NYC, is now offering Harlem tees to purchase. The t-shirt says “Keep Harlem, Harlem.” Pretty cool…huh? If you’re interested in purchasing this Harlem tee, go here! And to check out Harlem NYC like I do, click here.

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UPDATE: Monday Harlem happenings, Uptown Battle of the Bars Finale, Lido Harlem Gayborhood Mixer

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It is going to be a busy Monday evening in Harlem tonight, August 26. There is something to do for everyone along Harlem’s restaurant row.

Update, the event mentioned at Melba’s is by invite only.

Two blocks down, Harlem Tavern at 116th Street and FDB is hosting Uptown Battle of the Bars Showdown Finale event. It starts at 6 pm as well and runs until 9 pm. Three dozen bartenders have been engaged in a competition since the beginning of August dubbed the Uptown Battle of the Bars. Tonight, the winner will be announced. Learn more about the event here.

And last, but certainly not least, Lido Harlem will be hosting another Gayborhood mixer event this evening starting at 6 pm as well running all the way to midnight. Lido Harlem is located at 117th Street and FDB!

There ya have it! A busy Monday evening in Harlem! Enjoy!
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UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to be keynote speaker at Harlem’s Democracy Prep graduation

Congrats to Democracy Prep in Harlem! They are getting the top person at the United Nations to come and address their graduating class of 2013. Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon will deliver the keynote address at Democracy Prep’s first graduation ceremony on June 24th at the historic Apollo Theater! Mr. Ban is currently serving as the eighth Secretary-General of the UN.

Way to go Democracy Prep and best wishes to all the graduates!
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Support Changing Face of Harlem, film in final stretch of completion

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Changing Face of Harlem, a documentary about Harlem’s ongoing transformation told from the voices of longtime residents, business owners, politicians, developers, and clergy, is in the home stretch to complete the film. This month they have launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise $30,000 to meet final post-production costs. Post-production costs cover final sound mixing, edit, color correction, and costs of archival footage, graphics and music.

To help Changing Face of Harlem meet their goal, go here to donate. The campaign runs for the month of March.

Read prior posts here on Changing Face of Harlem.

Harlem’s Democracy Prep Public Schools to host ‘Inauguration of a DREAM’

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This January 21st, Democracy Prep Public Schools, which operates six charter schools in the Harlem area, will be hosting “Inauguration of a DREAM: a Celebration of Education, Service, and Democracy” from 10 am to 4 pm at the Harlem Armory. This event is free and open to the public. It will feature live music, guest speakers, food, door prizes, and community service opportunities to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This event will coincide with the second Presidential Inauguration of President Barack Obama.

If interested in attending this event, please RSVP by January 15 at Eventbrite.com.

Democracy Prep is a growing network of six free, open-enrollment, high-performing no excuses public charter schools committed to preparing scholars for success in the college of their choice and a life of active citizenship. Teachers and staff currently educate more than 1,500 scholars in grades K-12 at six schools across the Harlem neighborhood. To learn more about Democracy Prep Public Schools, visit their website.
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Attend Maysles Members Night Out in Harlem

Listen up! The Maysles Institute in Harlem will be hosting an exclusive event soon for its members. It’s one you don’t want to miss if you love Cuban history as I do (see blog post on visit to Cuba). And if you’re not a member, you may want to become one to meet fellow members from the Harlem and NYC area.

Maysles Cinema, which is located at 343 Lenox Avenue between 127th and 128 Street, is having a reception for members only on Monday, October 15 at 6:30 pm. After the reception, Maysles Cinema will be screening the film titled Cuba: An African Odyssey at 7:30 pm. “Cuba: An African Odyssey explores the 300,000 Cubans who fought alongside African revolutionaries: from Che Guevara’s military campaign to avenge Lumumba in the Congo up to the fall of apartheid in South Africa. Cuba, an African Odyssey is the previously untold story of Cuba’s support for African revolutions, one of the Cold War’s most vigorous contests over resources and ideology.” Click here to watch a trailer of the film.

As mentioned,  this event is exclusive to Maysles cinema members and requires a reservation to attend. To RSVP email member@mayslesinstitute.org and to become a member go to mayslesinstitute.org/membership.

Hope to see you there!

Attend ‘Emerging Women Speak Forum’ at the Apollo in Harlem

On June 19th, Harlem4Obama will host the State of Women in Politics: Emerging Women Speak Forum at the Apollo Soundstage from 6:30-9:00pm. The purpose of this event is to engage women in the private and public sectors, who have not previously considered public office and to address the overall political landscape as it applies to women nationally, in New York City and in Harlem.

Emerging Women Speak is part of an ongoing movement to ensure that young women step forward to shape and advance progressive policies and politics in our changing community and nation.

Tickets are $25. Register at Eventbrite.com to attend.

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My photos of President Obama appearing at the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem




I had the privilege and delight of attending a fundraiser to re-elect President Obama at Harlem’s Apollo Theater (read actual tweets here). The event was filled with great entertainment from Lin-Manuel Miranda MCing, to India Arie performing, to the Rev. Al Green blessing us with his singing sermon. And yes, POTUS Obama sang too, i.e. Let’s Stay Together. Here are a few photos from the Jan. 19 event at the Apollo. Hope you like them! Enjoy!