Tag Archives: Russell Simmons

Russell Simmons’ major f*** up, Simmons should visit the Harriet Tubman Sculpture in Harlem

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Pardon my French in the headline, but Russell Simmons needs some serious training in black history and he clearly should come to Harlem ASAP to pay respect to the amazing Harriet Tubman, the African-American abolitionist and humanitarian during the American Civil War, after the stunt his music label pulled. What in God’s green earth were they thinking? Read the clip here on what happened cause I’m not going to repeat Russell Simmons’ major screw up. But I do think he should do more after that error.

If you haven’t heard the latest, Russell Simmons is sorry now for the recent actions of his music label and he offered his apologies. Whatever! In my view, this screw up by Russell Simmons needs further action by him.

Lets start with…how about paying respect to this great woman by visiting the sculpture in Harlem dedicated to her, ie the Harriet Tubman Sculpture at 122nd and Frederick Douglass Blvd? Show some real respect Russell Simmons! Honor this American by visiting an area in Harlem dedicated to her! Feel free to use the visit as a photo-op too. You could use it right now.

Pay up too for this mistake. Russell Simmons should support his apology writing out a big fat check to an African-American organization of his choice that supports women. After all, if you’re truly sorry for this insult to Harriet Tubman (and all women), putting your money where your mouth/apology is will make it more authentic/PR effective. What do you say, Russell?

And last, from one yogi to another, cause those of us who practice yoga know you like this ancient Indian practice, why not distribute material on YouTube that enlightens the world, not trashes it?

Not sure where the Harriet Tubman Sculpture is located? To visit the Harriet Tubman Sculpture, take the B or C subway line to 116th Street or A or D train to 125th Street or take your limo! The sculpture stands at the crossroads of St. Nicholas Avenue, West 122nd Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard in Harlem.

Harlem’s LeRone Wilson art opening happening at the Rush Gallery


Remember a while back we told you about sculptor and Harlem resident LeRone Wilson winning top honors at Miami’s Art Basel? He won the Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series. Now there is an opportunity to see our fellow Harlemites’ art work this coming Thursday, February 9th. That’s when the art opening for LeRone Wilson is happening at the Rush Arts Gallery. You know? That’s the gallery that the Simmon’s brothers own and operate, i.e. Danny and Russell Simmons. Nice!

The LeRone Wilson show opens on Feb. 9th and will be on exhibit through March 16. It is free to attend! If you want to check out Wilson’s art opening, below are the details! See you there!

Who: Harlem’s LeRone Wilson at the Rush Arts Gallery.
When: Thursday, Feb. 9 from 6-9 pm
Where: Rush Arts Gallery, located at 526 W. 26th St., Suite 311.
How: For the opening date rsvp to newyork@sapphireart.com as soon as possible.

Harlem’s LeRone Wilson takes Bombay Sapphire Top Title at Art Basel Miami


Hey, if you see Harlem resident and sculptor LeRone Wilson in the area, tell him “congratulations!” Why? Word has it Wilson entered the Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series, which is a nationwide juried art competition in conjunction with Rush Philanthropic, the Foundation founded by Russell and Danny Simmons, and took home the coveted prize recently.

His piece, “A Path Through the Sky,” was selected as winner of the juried competition, which is a nationwide search for the newest talent in art. Nearly 4,000 artists submitted work for this search. Eighteen artists were sent to a final competition at Art Basel in Miami and two final winners were selected, one being Wilson, for the overall prize of a two-man show at Russell Simmons’ Rush Arts Gallery in Chelsea. That show is scheduled for February 2012.

And if you’re wondering who collects our fellow Harlemites’ work-sculpted 3 dimensional paintings made from encaustic? According to Wilson’s peeps, Marea restaurant in Columbus Circle own 2 pieces that hang in the restaurant.He was among the first group of artists to hang work at Red Rooster Harlem. And Wilson commissioned pieces for socialite and New York Interior designer Jennifer Post featured in Architectural Digest. Not bad…huh?

So next time you see Harlem resident LeRone Wilson, give him a high-five! And stay tuned here on this blog for more information on the Rush Arts Exhibition of Wilson’s work slated for February 2012.

Target roles out the red carpet in Spanish Harlem in honor of their first Manhattan store

Jul 21, 2010 @ 23:47

By HarlemGal

The new Target located in Spanish Harlem-and scheduled to officially open on July 25-had their red carpet premiere on Tuesday, July 20 with celebrities, industry insiders and major players from the Harlem community in attendance. Marcus Samuelsson, Thelma Golden, and Albert Maysles all attended and they live right here in Harlem. Que rico!

Psst….if you were not there, no worries. HarlemCondoLife has the chisme on the entire fiesta! Escuchanos! Here is the HCL scoop on Target’s big party July 20 held at East River Plaza, which is at 116th Street and Pleasant Avenue!

  • Ok, not only is Tyson Beckford gorgeous on the outside, its internal as well. Tyson took picture after picture with adoring fans for close to an hour. Can we clone him?
  • Our very own Harlemite Marcus Samuelsson catched up with friend  and fellow Harlemite Albert Maysles during his dish demonstration in the P-Fresh section. They both live in Harlem cause they know we are a super cool community.
  • The busiest canine on the planet took time out for pictures. Bullseye the Target dog posed politely for pictures with event revelers. The line was so long it looked like folks waiting in line to enter The Apollo Theater!
  • Models Ubah Hassan and Hollis Wakeema posing for fan photos while they compared bathing suit selections from the Target Harlem Designer collections. Samuelsson’s model wife was present as well. Too much beauty and is always constant at Harlem places like Zoma on Frederick Douglass Blvd.
  • Isabel and Rubin Toledo having a hard time deciding on which bag from their Target collection to purchase. I love handbags. Need I say more…must get one soon!
  • Makeup guru and Target design partner Sonia Kashuk shopping with her family and adding Target Harlem Designer goods and toys to her cart. I buy Kashuk’s perfume and make-up brushes all the time. Now, it will be so much easier to get!

Looking forward to shopping at Target. Want to know what the store looks like inside? Stay tuned.