Christian Times 2021 Harlem Week edition

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2 August 10-23, 2021

When the Coronavirus pandemic broke in late 2019, few expected that A SALUTE
this relatively unknown virus would have the impact that it did – interrupt-
ing life, altering lifestyle ,and suffocating the livelihood of millions around
the world. Best known records trace the start of the deadly virus to Wuhan,

China and the confusion and political polarization of this information has TO ASIANS
made Chinese and many Asian groups who “look Chinese” (like Koreans,
Japanese and Filipinos) targets of misguided hate and unfair abuse. Sadly,
it was the hate-spewing former US president who lit the fire and fueled the
flame. Motivated by his own billow of ignorance and bounty of arrogance,

he consistently called the virus “The Chinese Virus” while casting blame on

the Chinese people.

The torrent of violence against people of Asian descent reached its peak As a result of her love for the business, passion for soul food, and

in March of this year when Robert Aaron Long, a 21-year-old White male commitment to community, Manna’s Restaurant has grown and at one

Trump supporter, went on a rampage targeting Asian spas and killed six point had 4 locations in Harlem and Brooklyn, all utilizing the buffet

Asian women and two others. This wave of xenophobia and race violence style of service with food purchased by the pound. And in addition to

has only expanded the rift between communities, including the Black and a salad bar, a desert station and a fish fry, Manna’s locations carry a

Asian communities. wide variety of hot and cold food items that span the scope of soul, Ca-

HARLEM WEEK and The Greater Harlem Chamber of jun, West Indian and African

Commerce have strong ties and enduring relationships with cuisine. Her proven success

these communities. This past Sunday during “A Great Day in is noted by the fact that most

Harlem”, special tributes were extended to members of the of the staff and management

Asian community including Senator John Liu, former New team that started in the busi-

York City comptroller, and restaurateur Betty Park. ness with her are still there.

Betty Park … Soul, Passion and Conviction Betty Park, who is from
Detroit, says that coming to

Entrepreneur Betty Park was born in Korea, but Harlem Harlem wasn’t strange as she

is in her heart, and cooking soul food is for her an almost dai- is from a multi-racial neigh-

ly aspiration. Back in 1983, she opened her first restaurant in Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce Vice President Voza River (left), borhood with a strong and

Harlem, and beyond the actor Ruben Santiago-Hudson (center), NYS Senator John Liu (2nd from progressive population of Af-
regular struggles of grow- right) and Christian Times publisher Rev. Dennis Dillon (right)
rican Americans. To this de-

ing a small business, a Korean-American voted and hardworking businesswoman, Harlem is like her hometown.

serving soul food to African-Americans It was in Harlem that she learned how to make soul food from a man

had its own set of challenges. from North Carolina. He taught her how to cook food like potato salad,

“The Black community has long held collard greens, and spareribs. And to Betty, soul food is similar to Ko-

concerns about Korean businesses not rean food because of the deep seasoning and spices. According to her, it

hiring from within the community, not doesn’t matter if it’s soul food, Italian food, or American food; the main

doing business with Black suppliers, and thing, she noted, is that you have to like being in the kitchen and have an

not giving respect to the Black consum- interest in cooking – and you must cook with your soul. Betty says she

er. I came well aware of these concerns cooks with feeling and that 99% of the time when she cooks with feeling

and wanted to make a difference,” Park and then later tastes her food, it comes out just the way she expected.

shared. Betty says that her lifestyle is always positive and that she gives

True to her commitment, most of Ms. thanks to God that she can get up in the morning and make a living, and

Park’s staff at her Manna’s Restaurant lo- that her employees can also make a living. She always looks forward to

cations are from the community and the doing what she has to do and firmly believes in living right.

company makes it a matter of principle “People are people. No matter where you go, people are good, people

to help and support community non-prof- are bad. Some people may steal from you, but keep on doing what you

it organizations, youth sports clubs and think is right.”

local groups, and people in need. “I nev- Betty has shown that having a strong sense of community, cooking

BETTY PARK er refuse,” Betty explained. “Any kind of with soul and staying positive are what has helped her and Manna’s to

non-profit organization that asks me for help, I do.” thrive for 37 years.

3August 10-23, 2021

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4 August 10-23, 2021

Gregory Paul Ho is a pioneer- enterprise in Harlem – The West companies and plans to grow the entrepreneurs, creating working
ing trailblazer who has built sever- space for and with them, develop-
al companies, and throughout his Harlem Innovation Network, Mr. operation to between 30 and 45 ing business plans and growth strat-
beautifully checkered career, he egies, and then helping to guide the
has raised and managed billions Greg Ho and his team are digging Harlem-based firms over the next capital development and growth
of dollars in investments. The Ha- process is itself a revolutionary pro-
waiian native who made New York a foundation and planting roots in 4 to 10 years. And the excitement cess. Unlike the incubator or accel-
his home more than 45 years ago erator model, WHIN’s strategy is to
is now driven by an unshakable West Harlem. A simple plan for intensifies: according to Greg, 4 be intimately engaged in working
commitment to guide investments with the selected companies and
to Harlem and to play a key role in what will be a com- to 7 of these firms will start-ups, and guide their success.
the rising technologization of this
diverse and richly cultured neigh- plex operation, and become publicly trad- WHIN’s core team will active-
borhood. ly participate in the formation and
many Harlem lead- ed successes with more growth of these companies and will
Ho comes to Harlem with un- invest cross multiple stages of their
derstanding, leadership and years ers and powerbrokers than a thousand gainful- development. “We want to take raw
of corporate and investment bank- ideas and build successful compa-
ing experience. Not only is he the have already bought ly employed Harlemites nies around them,” the WHIN plan
co-founder and president of Spring outlined.
Mountain Capital, he has also in. WHIN’s plan is – a truly local workforce
served as Chief Financial Officer at To sum it all up, WHIN was
McKinsey and Company, and led to work with local earning substantial wag- formed in Harlem to create compa-
the growth of that investment man- nies that are based in Harlem that
agement consulting firm – trans- institutions and or- es. will be run by Harlemites to create
forming it into a global enterprise Harlem successes. And as goes
now operating in over 40 countries ganizations like City “We understand well Harlem, so goes Black and Brown
and overseeing tens of billions of America. This, therefore, is a new
dollars in investments. College of New York, the power of Harlem paradigm, but noteworthy are the
previous trailblazers who are clear-
Now with the creation of a new The Greater Harlem GREGORY HO and the fact that there ing the path and have laid the foun-
Chamber of Com- are great people doing dation.

merce, One Hundred Black Men of good things in Harlem. We will A Silicon Harlem is not a new
concept. Tech guru Clayton Banks
New York, West Harlem Develop- choose the businesses and our lead- founded a company aptly called
Silicon Harlem back in 2014 with
ment Corporation, and the NACP ers will source talents through His- a commitment to make Harlem a
tech innovation hub, and his efforts
to create or invest in businesses in torically Black Colleges and Uni- are paying off. Workspace giants
like WeWork have responded and
Harlem and grow these business- versities (HBCUs), CCNY, CUNY a diversity of companies and insti-
tutions are expanding, or they are
es to scale, ensuring that they stay and SUNY,” Ho explained. He also now headed uptown to Harlem.

in Harlem and hire residents of talked about the formation of a cod- WHIN is not just riding the
wave; they are getting ready to cre-
Harlem. These businesses will be ing school and setting up support ate economic waves in Harlem and
plan to fully utilize Opportunity
streamline and specific in focus – affiliates that will facilitate training, Zone legislation to attract capital
that will impact people and prop-
life sciences, education, cybersecu- technology courses and the kind of erty in Harlem. Now as the vision
unfolds, the commitment is to build
rity – all in the technology space. educational resources that will help a strong group of early investors,
companies, and innovative business
Ho hopes to start with 6 to 12 to bring people into a full under- brands that will rapidly develop
new jobs and contribute to the eco-
standing of these new ad- nomic advancement of Harlem.

vances.

The WHIN operation

shows great promise, and

Ho’s commitment is to

raise $500-$700 million

to fund the first phase and

roll out within the next few

months. With the creation

of these Harlem-based,

technology-driven, and

locally run businesses,

Ho and his team’s prima-

ry goals are to create good

paying local jobs and to

fuel the local economy.

“We will not measure

success by how many

companies we start but by

how many companies we

finish with and how many

people we employ,” Greg

Ho explained.

This idea of identify-

ing talents and innovative

5August 10-23, 2021

During this annual HARLEM WEEK
celebration, it is only right that we re-
member and honor the memory of Da-
vid N. Dinkins, a son of Harlem and as of now

the only Black mayor of the City of New York

(although it appears that he will be remembered

as the first Black mayor of New York City as

of January 1, 2022). There are, of course, many

reasons that he should and will be remembered

and honored.

While he was not born in Harlem, he was a son of Harlem. After

his tour of duty in the Marine Corps as one of the first Black soldiers

in the Marines, there was not a time that he did not live in Harlem

until he became mayor. After graduating from Brooklyn Law School,

he practiced law in Harlem and eventually became a part of the Black

trailblazers who aggressively pursued political power by making Har-

lem a base of that power.

It turned out that Dinkins had an aptitude for the political process,

and he became successful in that process, including being elected to the

New York State Assembly, selected as City Clerk, elected as Manhat-

tan Borough President, and finally being elected Mayor of the City of

New York. Throughout the progress of his political career, he focused

on service to the community – so much so that the out-in-the-open se-

cret of his success were the legions of men, women, and children that

he helped in so many different ways.

He never amassed great wealth but he did accumulate a legacy of

service, assistance and support for so many groups, organizations and

constituencies that when it came time for him to ask for support for his

political agenda, he had a huge reservoir of good will from which he

could draw upon.

After his term as mayor, Dinkins taught at the School of Interna-

tional and Public Affairs at Columbia University for over twenty years.

By the time that he passed away in 2020, there was an entire genera-

tion of New Yorkers that did not know anything about David Dinkins

due in large part to the fact that subsequent mayors were much more

focused on self-promotion (successfully), which was never a real part

of the David Dinkins Playbook. continued on pg. 6

6 August 10-23, 2021

REMEMBERING THE HON. DAVID DINKINS

CONTINUED FROM PG 5 October 15, 2015: The Manhattan Municipal Building at 1 Centre Street was renamed for former
Mayor David N. Dinkins in honor of his decades of public service.
So it is useful in remembering him to evoke what
David Dinkins did while he was mayor; here are a few April 22, 1992: Tennis champions Arthur Ashe and
of his greatest hits: John McEnroe join Mayor Dinkins to announce an
agreement between the city and the United States
• The Safe Streets, Safe City program which add- Tennis Association to hold the U.S. Open Tennis
ed tens of thousands of police to the NYPD and Tournament at the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in
began the decline in the crime rate which sky- Queens. The new stadium, named for Ashe, the first
rocketed under Ed Koch and for which Rudy African-American U.S. Open champion, opened on
Giuliani later claimed credit. August 25, 1997. Dozens of past U.S. Open cham-
pions, including Pete Sampras, Monica Seles, Chris
• A renewed focus on childhood education, Evert, Rod Laver and John McEnroe were serenaded
which had not been a primary part of any may- by Whitney Houston at the gala dedication ceremony.
or’s agenda for decades. Every local politician attended – except Mayor Gi-
uliani. Still piqued by Dinkins’ refusal to defer to his
• He established New York’s first Minority and demand not to sign the agreement, Giuliani refused
Women’s Business Program which became the the USTA’s invitation to speak at the dedication.
largest such municipally based program in the
United States. December 10, 2018: Former
Mayor David M. Dinkins
• Against very strong competition he brought the presented with the Civilian
Democratic National Convention to New York Complaint Review Board’s
at a time when New York needed some positive inaugural Pioneer Award during
perspectives on the national stage. their 25th anniversary
ceremony, recognizing him for
• He established the Civilian Complaint Review his leadership in establishing
Board over the virulent opposition of too many the City’s first police oversight
members of the NYPD. entity independent from the
New York City Police Depart-
• His administration established the inclusion of ment in 1993.
the LGBTQ community in the leadership of the
New York City government. September 9, 1992: Dinkins

• His administration approved the development greets students on their first
of the National Tennis Center, the home of the
U.S. Open, which has brought billions of dol- day at P.S. 11 in the Bronx,
lars to New York over the past two decades.
a “Beacon School.” Mayor
• David Dinkins guided and led the city in the af-
termath of the worst terrorist attack since 1920, Dinkins supported education
the first World Trade Center bombing, when
this former Marine remained calm and without improvements, approving the
panic, which kept the city calm and without
panic. beacon school program which

There are literally scores of historic accomplish- encouraged all-year schooling
ments that took place during the four years of the Din-
kins administration. But in viewing the life of David and endorsing use of school
Dinkins it is not simply a matter of adding up all of his
accomplishments. By way of illustration, when he was buildings after hours for im-
the special guest at the Christian Times 25th anniversa-
ry celebration, hosted by Macy’s at its corporate head- provement programs for adults
quarters in 2015, he spoke about how the good works
that we do amount to the rent that we pay for our time and children.
on earth, a constant theme in all of his public remarks.
And we know that when the time came for him to be
called, clearly his account was paid in full.

Professor Wallace Ford teaches at
Medgar Evers College in the City
University of New York and is the for-
mer Commissioner of Business Ser-
vices in the Dinkins Administration.
He is the author of the Point of View
blog, www.thewallaceford.com.

7August 10-23, 2021

8 August 10-23, 2021

Once upon a time in Harlem – no, we are not talking other locations, the Corner has outdoor seating and passersby find
about a film but about when most of the best restau- it an irresistible temptation. Besides its American cuisine, Harlem
rants were located in the heart of this historic commu- residents particularly appreciate the takeout service and prompt
nity and Sylvia’s was the epicenter. Nowadays Harlem deliveries. 
has a much broader reach and fine places to dine can be
found from river to river, though SYLVIA’S continues It’s perhaps impossible not to expect the best in dining from
its reputation for delectable cuisine, especially for those the restaurants with women’s names such Melba’s, Lu-
interested in the best of soul food. cille’s, and Patsy’s.  Being born, bred and buttered in
Harlem – as Melba Wilson informs reporters and vis-
Founded in 1962 by the late Sylvia Woods – en- itors to MELBA’S, she has the inside track on how to
shrined as the “Queen of Soul Food”, the restaurant feed and nourish her community, which she has done
has global rec- exceptionally well since 2005. And if you are not cu-
ognition, and rious about eggnog waffles and catfish, then take your
with a cursory appetite elsewhere. Maybe to LUCILLE’S, where
glance around folks have been raving about the jerk tacos. One of the
the rooms you restaurant’s owners is Matthew Trebek, son of the late
will discover the Alex Trebek of “Jeopardy.” If you are rushing to anoth-
walls bedecked er appointment with no time to sit and dine, Lucille’s
with a coterie has a pizza joint next door. And for residents of Hamil-
of distinguished
diners, includ- ton Heights choosing to stay closer to home, Trebek’s OSO HAR-
ing renowned LEM is nearby, blessed with the same Mexican cuisine.
celebrities such
as Nelson Man- Always with a friendly greeting and engaging conversation is
dela, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton. Home-style Londel Davis, and happy hour at LONDEL’S is a special time.
cooking is available no matter the time of your arrival,
and “Gospel Sunday” has a special menu stacked with Here’s how one cus-
southern comfort and a most accommodating ambiance. tomer summed up
Always concerned about the welfare of her visit: “This place
the Harlem community, Sylvia’s donated was amazing. I ar-
countless meals to Harlem Hospital during rived as soon as they
the COVID-19 pandemic. Few notable as- opened at 5PM and
piring elected officials have failed to visit sat at the bar. Ordered
and dine at Sylvia’s, especially in the com- the salmon with mac
pany of Rev. Al Sharpton, with a table by & cheese and rice,
the window so pedestrians can witness the my cousin had ribs,
occasion.   greens and mac &
cheese; a friend had
Within a few steps from Sylvia’s is fried chicken with
RED ROOSTER. Chef Marcus Samu- baked potato and
elsson and Red Rooster arrived in Harlem mac & cheese. Everyone enjoyed their food. Afterward we ordered
with great aplomb and fanfare, and, for the dessert (red velvet cake & bread pudding). I was stuffed from my
most part, he and his restaurant’s delicious entrée, but I dug through the cake. So good.”
roasted, blistered, charred meat and vegetables have There are not many restaurants in Harlem that specialize in
lived up to all the hype bandied about in 1972. That re- vegan and vegetarian food, but one that comes high-
nown has expanded considerably since its inception and SEASONED ly recommended is SEASONED VEGAN, a fam-
has become an incomparable tourist attraction, making VEGAN ily-owned business operated by a mother and her
it a requirement that you son. Their menu is 100 percent organic with dishes
reserve a table in advance expressing diverse cultures from the Middle East,
of your arrival. Caribbean, and all over the Americas. “We pride
ourselves on being loyal to our vegan/vegetarian
CORNER SOCIAL, customers by maintaining an organic menu … while
just across the street from creating meals that are delicious enough to satisfy
Sylvia’s and the Red the most skeptical omnivore,” said Brenda and Aar-
Rooster on Malcolm X on Beener. This writer can attest to the accuracy of that claim.
Boulevard and 125th Street,
is usually packed with
customers, many waiting
outside for a table. Fortunately, in the summer like the

9August 10-23, 2021

At the corner of West 140th Street at 1618 Amsterdam Avenue is

a new chic spot. It’s called OSO and the innovative food and drinks

served in this small and copy restaurant are inspired by Mexico City
itself.

Oso Harlem must not be missed. Located in a brick storefront with
City College in view of this little gem is big on authenticity and merg-
es the New York Harlem vibe, Mexican cuisine, and an interior décor
outfitted with wooden tables, conversational artworks with friendly and
courteous service.

Chef Cassandra Rhodes guides the kitchen staff and they bring the
flavors to life working the grill, stove and equipment from their open
kitchen visible to their enthusiastic patrons. And they create it all them-
selves – from the corn tortillas and guacamole, authentic tacos, antojitos
and enchiladas to their key specialty items like braised chicken smoth-
ered in melted queso Oaxaca or braised octopus tostadas, paired with
mandarin salsa, Oso’s got it cooking.

And by the way, check out their watermelon salad with jicama and
the horchata ice cream with pepita.

OSO HARLEM

1618 Amsterdam Avenue
Harlem, NY 10031
646.858.3139 osoharlem.com

Egift cards available | Make reservations
Open every day 3pm to 10pm
Dine in, take out, delivery

continued next pg

10 August 10-23, 2021

CARIBBEAN STARR

280 Malcolm X Boulevard

Harlem, NY 10027

917.261.7558 caribbeanstarr.com

Open SUN to THU 7am-11pm, FRI & SAT 7am-12am
Dine in, take out, delivery

Jamaican cuisine is almost as popular in lem, and they and a host of others from across out the moist cornbread that has diners craving
the Caribbean – including Puerto Rican born for more.
New York as it is on the Caribbean praise is- Artur Schomburg and Guyanese Barbadian Eric
Waldron – helped to give lift to what became a At Caribbean Starr, the food is to live for and
land of Jamaica, and CARIBBEAN STARR food culture that would include Caribbean cui- the service is warm and welcoming. With ev-
RESTAURANT at 280 Malcolm X Boulevard sine. ery meal created with a guarantee of excellence,
the management, front team and culinary staff
is one of the places in Harlem to experience the This breakfast, lunch, and dinner stop serves are purposeful that they will meet and exceed
all things Jamaican, including ackee & saltfish, your expectation – giving you an unforgettable
full authenticity of Jamaican food with a Harlem jerk chicken, oxtails, salmon, fried and jerk experience with an authentic taste of Jamaica in
shrimp, brown stew snapper, salmon cakes and every bite!
twist. a variety of savory side dishes. Be sure to check

From before the Harlem Renaissance, Carib-

beans have been influencers in Harlem. Marcus

and Amy Jacques Garvey, Claude McKay and

Wilfrid Domingo were Jamaicans living in Har-

RED ROOSTER is home to ce- are exposed and channeled towards ex- RED ROOSTER HARLEM
cellence and greatness,” the restaurant’s
lebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson and website notes. 310 Malcolm X Boulevard
is a popular stop for New Yorkers and
tourists alike looking for Harlem’s Restaurateurs Andrew Chapman Harlem, NY 10027
best comfort food and southern cui- and Marcus Samuelsson have long de-
sine with a Harlem twist. Samuelsson sired to create this very kind of neigh- 917.261.7558 caribbeanstarr.com
is one of Black America’s high profile borhood experience and to help shape
chefs, but finds times to cultivate a the culinary landscape. Red Rooster is Open MON to THU 12pm-9pm
team in the kitchen, dining rooms and a dream come true. Now here’s to Chef FRI 12pm-9:45pm
sidewalk café that delivers seven days Samuelsson’s world famous cuisine, the SAT 11am-9:45pm
of cooking, music and soul that makes legendary music at Ginny’s Supper Club SUN 11am-9pm
Red rooster unique. downstairs, and a perfectly memorable
escape from the hustle of the rest of New
The food speaks volumes: from York.
cornbread to the caramel donuts and
everything in between. The seafood
Jambalaya is truly festive, the mac and
greens, Helga’s meatballs, and yes –
their fried yardbirds bursting with
such authentic flavors they don’t call
it chicken.

Located in the heart of Harlem, this
mostly crowded hotspot serves food
that celebrates the roots of American
cuisine and Harlem’s diverse culinary
tradition. Beyond food, Red Rooster
brings to life the richness of the Har-
lem scene and its cultural abundance.
“This is where the story of Harlem is
shared, and local leaders, local visual
artists, musicians and culinary talents

11August 10-23, 2021

BLVD Bistro ... can I just

say upfront: Great food. Great mu-

sic. Great energy from the staff –

and an amazing all around vibe.

So we went here to take a lunch break from the Go Africa

Festival right up the block, as we were starving. We were so

glad we selected this awesome Black-owned venue. There was

a DJ spinning that was killing it with the ‘90s RnB tracks, so

the vibe was already set on 11. All the windows and doors were

wide open on this warm summer afternoon. 

We started off with some of BLVDs often buzzed about bis-

cuits which all buttery and melted in the mouth. For cocktails,

I had the Nat Turner & my lunch partner had the Sista ‘Rita.

Both were strong yet delicious at the same time. My lunch date

had the watermelon & goat cheese salad, as she was set on

maintaining her hot girl summer body. She raved about it like

it was candy! I had the BLVD cheeseburger, cause y’all know I

BLVD BISTRO can’t resist a cheeseburger! It was on a brioche bun topped with

2149 Frederick Douglass Boulevard @ 116th Street horseradish, cheddar cheese, pickled onions, and the chef’s

Harlem, NY 10026 special sauce. And served with fries. I devoured it completely,

212.678.6200 boulevardbistrony.com leaving only a clean plate – yet I savored every single bite.

Open WED & THU 12pm-10pm, FRI 12pm-11pm The chef owners were in the house and walked around ac-
SAT 10am-11pm, SUN 10am-8pm
knowledging the customers and checking that everyone was

satisfied. The atmosphere in this place was everything. We

vowed to return and experience every item on the menu. Since

then, we’re now half-way through! Definitely give them a visit.

You’re gonna love it.  – Ké Tomás Grainger

PONTY BISTRO

2375 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd.
Harlem, NY 10030
212.234.6475
pontybistroharlem.com

Open 7 days, 9am-Midnight, to 1am FRI & SAT

PONTY BISTRO brings French themed West rican-American fusion under the culinary guid- Street, a block from Abyssinian Baptist Church.
African cuisine to Harlem and fuses it with hints ance of Chef Cisse. Ponty Bistro offers weekend Their wide menu selection of delectable ap-
of American soul that push your tastebuds into brunches and breakfast, lunch and dinner – with
overdrive. At this very busy hotspot on Adam vegetarian options – served with a wide selec- petizers and entrees may leave you in a quan-
Clayton Powell Boulevard, it’s all about food tion of cocktails and other house drinks. The dry – Poulet (chicken) Yassa, Seafood Lingui-
and drinks, ambiance, and service. space creates the atmosphere – family friendly, ni, Hanger Steak, Kale Salad, Classic Fish and
live music, romantic settings and free WiFi at Chips, Maple Crusted French Toast, Poisson
In this warm, dark wood bistro, foods are this cozy spot that sits at the corner of W. 139th (fish) Yassa, lamb and salmon burgers, Moules
uniquely created through this unique French-Af- (mussels) au Safran, and the list goes on …

Dinosaur BBQ is beyond a doubt a din- if all you are doing is having food and drinks. increases, staff are staying out, and social dis-
The food may appear simple, but the taste tancing and mask protocols are still being ob-
ing and gathering experience in Harlem. This served. Dinosaur BBQ has reinvented itself and
bustling lunch and dinner spot situated at the is elegant, the service delightful, and the sports stays on the cutting edge delivering great food to
western tip of 125th Street and only a few steps bar-type atmosphere is as refreshing as it is wel- capacity crowds.
from the Hudson /rive is in an old, renovated coming.
warehouse building beneath the Westside High- The food definitely says you are in Harlem.
way. And the venue has zest character and the As we all know, COVID has had its impact The delectable cornbread, succulent chicken
kind of vibes that make you feel entertained even on most restaurants in New York. Some entrees
are cut from menus, food prices have seen steady continued next pg

12 August 10-23, 2021

Webinar on Applying for PPP Forgiveness

The US Small Business Administration (SBA) has launched a HEY HARLEM!
streamlined Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forgiveness applica-
tion portal to allow borrowers with PPP loans of $150,000 or less to come get your ‘que on
apply for forgiveness directly through the SBA.
700 W 125TH ST, NEW YORK, NY 10027
The new streamlined PPP application portal will accept applica-
tions from borrowers that have a PPP loan with a participating lend- MONDAY & TUESDAY 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
er that opted into the forgiveness portal, simplifying forgiveness for WEDNESDAY - SUNDAY 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
millions of small businesses. Over 600 banks have opted into direct
forgiveness, enabling over 2.17 million borrowers to apply through VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO ORDER ONLINE
the portal. MAKE A RESERVATION

“The SBA’s new streamlined application portal simplifies for-
giveness for millions of our smallest businesses -- including many
sole proprietors -- who used funds from our Paycheck Protection Pro-
gram loans to survive the pandemic,” said Administrator Isabel Casil-
las Guzman. “These entrepreneurs are busy running their businesses
and are challenged by an overly complicated forgiveness process. We
need to deliver forgiveness more efficiently so they can get back to
enlivening our Main Streets, sustaining our neighborhoods, and fuel-
ing our nation’s economy.”

The SBA, in partnership with the Greater New York Chamber
of Commerce, will present a free online webinar to assist businesses
with competing the forgiveness application on Wednesday, August
11 from 10 am to 11 am. To register, please visit chamber.nyc or call
212-CHAMBER (212-242-6237).

The SBA also is setting up a PPP customer service team to an-
swer questions and directly assist borrowers with their forgiveness
applications. Borrowers needing assistance or with questions can call
1-877-552-2692, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Lenders must
opt into the program through https://directforgiveness.sba.gov.

McDonald’s GospelFest 2021 Streaming on FoxSoul

If you missed the prior 2 airings of McDonald’s Gospelfest 2021 on Mother’s Day and
Juneteenth, you still have the opportunity to view this annual gospel music festival and
talent competition on FOX SOUL’s streaming network for the next month.

FOX SOUL is a new live and interactive streaming channel dedicated to the African
American viewer. The programs aim to celebrate Black culture and deal
with real topics that impact the everyday lives of the Black community
through frank and insightful dialogue with local and national influencers.

Produced by Newark-based Irving Street Rep and directed and hosted by its founder,
A. Curtis Farrow, McDonald’s Gospelfest 2021 can now be viewed at https://foxsoul.tv/
mcdonalds-gospelfest-we-are-the-church/.

CONTINUED FROM PG 11 Take a trip to Harlem’s Dinosaur, one of 7 per-courteous, energetic, and well-motivated.
wings, the distinctive mac and cheese, and in the restaurant chain, and you will go back. They will surely check on you to ensure that you
the melt-in-your-mouth meats – brisket, The waitstaff and management team are su- are having a great dining experience.

ribs and so much more – speak to the

character of food that has hundreds DINOSAUR BAR-B-QUE
of diners showing up every day. On

the weekends, Friday to Sunday, Di- 700 W. 125th Street
nosaur BBQ serves some 700 patrons
each day. With everything made from Harlem, NY 10027
“scratch”, the Dino kitchen is a very 212.694.1777

busy place, and beyond the barbecue dinosaurbarbque.com
pits and burger grills, woks are also
at work, stirring up their unique and Open MON & TUE 4pm-9pm
very popular barbeque fried rice.
WED thru SUN 11:30am-9pm

13August 10-23, 2021

NYC Restaurant Week Runs Thru August 22

After 18 months, NYC & Compa- one side and aligned to the indi- titled “Make It a Reservations may be made at nycgo.
ny’s NYC Restaurant Week, spon- vidual restaurant price points). Stella,” highlight- com/restaurantweek. Mastercard
sored by Mastercard, has returned Diners also have the option to ing restaurants cardholders can preregister at dine-
to in-person dining July 19 through enjoy a new Signature Dining serving Stella. withmc.com to receive an exclusive
August 22. The program includes Experience priced at $125, in- As New York $10 statement credit on each trans-
nearly 530 participating restaurants clusive of at least three courses City continues to action of $39 or more while dining
offering more than 50 distinct cui- and special enhancements. Tax- emerge from the on-site [for up to five (5) transac-
sines in 75 neighborhoods across es and gratuity are not included; pandemic and the tions totaling a $50 rebate] for the
all five boroughs, as well as updat- Saturdays are blackout dates and hard-hit restau- duration of the promotion, and each
ed, inclusive pricing with lunches Sundays are optional.   rant community time a NYC Restaurant Week meal
priced at either $21 or $39 and din- Diners can seamlessly browse works toward recovery, NYC & is purchased with a Mastercard by
ners priced at either $21 or $39 (both participating restaurants at  nyc- Company – the official destination August 15, cardholders will also be
inclusive of one entrée and at least go.com/restaurantweek by filters marketing organization and conven- entered for a chance to win 200,000
including “location,” “cuisine,” tion & visitors bureau for the five American Airlines AAdvantage
“has menu,” “$10 back,” and “ame- boroughs of New York City – has miles toward a trip anywhere Amer-
nities.” Collections will also be invited all restaurants and eateries ican flies.
available to help consumers choose across the five boroughs to partici-
restaurants by interests including pate in NYC Restaurant Week Sum-
“James Beard Honorees,” “Wine mer 2021 at no cost, for one, multi-
Spectator Picks,” “NYC Classics,” ple or all five weeks of the program.
“Date Night,” “As Seen on TV,” NYC & Company has extended the
“Under the Sea,” “The Slice Is in-person dining program to five
Right,” “Editors’ Picks” and, last- weeks – the longest period in NYC
ly, a collection for Stella Artois, Restaurant Week’s 29-year history
sponsor and official beer of NYC – to coincide with NYC Homecom-
Restaurant Week Summer 2021, ing Week events.

14 August 10-23, 2021

apollo theater presents

Luke Cage: Harlem’s Superhero Panel

by Mecca Naeem

On Saturday, August 14 at 11AM, the Apollo Theater celebrates both the 20th anniversary of Free
Comic Book Day (the largest international comic book event) and the 47th annual HARLEM WEEK
summer festival, with an exploration of Marvel Entertainment’s Harlem-based character Luke Cage,
the first black superhero to star in a regularly published comic. This free, virtual panel, composed
of comic creators and television producers, illuminates how Cage rose from comic book pages to a
Netflix series while tackling social justice issues along the way. Here’s my interview with the event’s

moderator & producer, Apollo Theater Community Programs Director, L. Adé Williams:

Mecca: First, why is the Apollo Mecca: Can you elaborate on the Mecca: Marvel has historically al- experiments were performed on
Theater – best known for perfor- connection between Cage and mov- legorized social issues in their en- him. Did the character’s creators
mance art – doing a comic book ies that were shown at the Apollo? tertainment. Their X-Men series purposely address social inequi-
event? had analogies for xenophobia, ho- ties by using Luke’s story as an
Adé: Marvel wanted “in” on the mophobia, and violent vs. nonvio- allegory for the prison industrial
Adé: Because art is connected. popular Blaxploitation motif of lent philosophies in the Civil Right complex and its disproportionate
Artists inspire each other the the times, so when Luke Cage de- Movement. Luke was a wrongfully effect on the Black community
same way they inspire non-art- buted in 1972, he was basically convicted Black man. Upon his in- and psyche?
ists. The people who created Shaft with superpowers. carceration, questionable medical
the Luke Cage comic and TV Adé: (with an ear-to-ear smile)
series were influenced by mov- My answer is that we’ll discuss
ies shown at the Apollo and acts that during the virtual panel,
who performed here, just like which is just one of the reasons
there are several Apollo staffers why it should be interesting to
who get inspired by the works non-superhero fans too.
that Luke Cage creators have
done; that’s why the best known Readers who’d like to learn about
theater in Harlem is hosting an the evolution of Luke Cage and
event centered on the best known some of the inspirations behind his
superhero based in Harlem. stories can log on to either Apol-
loTheater.org or HARLEMWEEK.

com on Saturday, August 14th
at 11AM or see it afterwards
on demand. The Apollo’s Luke
Cage: Harlem’s Superhero panel
features: Brian Michael Bendis,
co-creator of Jessica Jones and
Miles Morales; creator, show-
runner and executive producer of
Marvel’s Luke Cage on Netflix,
Cheo Hodari Coker; former Mar-
vel writer and editor, Jo Duffy;
and award-winning writer, film-
maker, journalist, and educator,
David F. Walker. This event also
features analysis by Professor
Jonathan W. Gray, whose forth-
coming project, Illustrating the
Race, investigates the represen-
tation of African Americans in
comics.

Mecca Naeem (@MeccaNaeem) is a video
artist who co-created Urban Anna Mae (ur-
banannamae.com), and a freelance writer
who writes about the Black visual canon.

15August 10-23, 2021

NEW YORK
BLACK BUSINESSES

DIRECTORY

RESEARCHED AND EDITED BY IAN ROSADO

Accounting Services Attorney / Legal Attorney / Legal

Accounting Office of Clover Barrett & Associates P.C Gayle Law
Botswain & Associates Firm PLLC
Clover Barrett
718-804-0377 www.boatswainllc.com 338 Atlantic Avenue Amanda Gayle
Brooklyn, NY 11201 Business and trademark law
Thompson and Company 718-625-8568 1130 Bedford Avenue, Suite 109
Brooklyn, NY 11216
Winston Thompson, CPA Bradford Edwards & Varlack LLP 347-946-0530
718-875-0556 www.agaylelaw.com
[email protected] Commercial litigation, dispute resolution,
www.thompsoncompany.com risk and crisis management, investiga- Heslop & Dominique LLP
tions and govt enforcement defense Garfield Heslop
Arts & Crafts 12 E. 49th Street - 11th Floor 147 Prince Street - Suite 31
New York, NY 10017 Brooklyn, NY 11201
Brooklyn Clay 917-671-9470 347-662-3976
Industries [email protected]
www.bradfordedwards.com Vivia L. Joseph
Pottery classes and
workshops Brown Hatchett Real estate, estate planning
Brooklyn Navy Yard & Williams 229-22 Linden Boulevard,
Bldg 62, Studio 306 Cambria Heights,NY 11411
Brooklyn, NY 11205 General corporate, 718-977-4132
718-596-4029 301-395-0143 finance, real estate, African corporate
[email protected] 1185 Avenue of the Americas LegalShield
www.brooklynclayindustries.com New York, NY 10036
646-520-0682 Maria Fields
String Thing Studio www.bhwllp.com 347-631-1400
[email protected]
Felicia Eve Melanie mfields54.ladiesofjustice.com
A yarn lover’s haven Cunningham
and a welcoming Law Office P.C. Law Firm of
space for creatives of Mark Pollard
all types. Supplies, classes, workshops. Legal support for
54 Seventh Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217 solopreneurs, micro/small business Mark Pollard
929-337-6130 owners, and nonprofit organizations Criminal defense, wills,
[email protected] 212-457-1622 estates, discrimination
stringthingstudio.com [email protected] 30 Wall Street, 8th Floor
www.mcunninghamlaw.com New York, NY 10005
Arts & Entertainment 646-208-9847
Florestal Law Firm, PLLC [email protected]
AddVance, LLC www.pollardjustice.com
Marcel Florestal
Vance Bradford Civil rights, tax, trust and estates, elder Law Office of Caroline
347-869-8696 [email protected] law, non-profit law, business and com- Stephenson
mercial laws
Sacrebleu llc 48 Wall Street, Suite 11 Caroline Stephenson
New York, NY 10005 89-15 Parsons Boulevard,
Yannick Pazze 212-918-4416 Suite 1G, Queens, NY 11432
[email protected] [email protected] 347-341-4282, 718-399-6000
917-882-4063 florestallaw.com [email protected]
https://www.sacrebleu.art www.forimmigrationrights.com

16 August 10-23, 2021

NEW YORK
BLACK BUSINESSES

DIRECTORY

RESEARCHED AND EDITED BY IAN ROSADO

Beauty Beauty (cont) Business Services

Beautè Major Face LLC Encounter Marketing
Brownie and Public Relations
T. Cooper
Jarette Samuels On location beauty Sandra Garcia
Lipstick made for service offering makeup, 1185 Avenue of the Americas 3fl
the brown woman by a brown woman hair styling, extensions New York, NY 10036
[email protected] 914-733-2049 212-810-0807
www.beautebrownie.com [email protected] [email protected]
www.MajorFace.com encounteryourpotential.com

Charm Essentials Makingsofa Progress Playbook
BrownGirl
Simone Winston Lloyd Cambridge
Natural hair and Sade Mayers-Ricks Business training for
skincare products Hair care products entrepreneurs
646-342-2326 347-805-8659 347-464-8178
www.charmessentials.org [email protected] [email protected]
www.MakingsofaBrownGirl.com www.progressplaybook.com
Cutz By Yannie
Mobile Suite LLC Renee’s Hair Sam’s Word, LLC
Designs
Ayana Welch Samantha Williams
917-364-8797 Renee Callender Content development
http://bit.ly/cutzbyyannie Hair stylist, skin care 203-974-3716
1498 2nd Avenue [email protected]
Dosso Beauty New York, NY 10075 www.SamsWord.com
212-721-1277
Kadidja Dosso [email protected] Sovereign Staffing Solutions
Cosmetics and personal Reneeshairdesignsnyc.com Pat Browne
care products 718-489-1752
845-393-4517 The Scent Within [email protected]
www.dossobeauty.com
Sade Boswell
For Our Daughters [email protected] www.sovereignstaffingsolutions.com
Beauty 202-339-1504
TKing Enterprises
Tiara Robertson Business Services
646-389-4063 Tash Benjamin
[email protected] Aurora We help small businesses find
www.forourdaughtersbeauty.com Administrative the answers to their PR needs
Services, LLC [email protected]
Hairme LLC 646-885-1403
Latoya Pollack Danielle Butler www.tkingenterprises.com
929-446-5302
516-205-7850 [email protected] We Tha Plug
[email protected] auroraassists.com
Luis Martinez
Intuition [email protected]
https://www.wethaplug.com
Sharon Harry
intuitionbathand WordsmithResource LLC
[email protected]
347-530-4289 Sandrea Flowers
www.intuitionsoul.com 914-434-3385
www.wordsmithresource.com

17August 10-23, 2021

NEW YORK
BLACK BUSINESSES

DIRECTORY

RESEARCHED AND EDITED BY IAN ROSADO

Cleaning / Janitorial Construction Consultants

Hartie’s Touch ABE Environmental Fullest Potential
Testing and Consulting, Inc.
Raphael Toussaint Consulting
845-507-3278 Sabrina Scott
[email protected] Don Anigbogu Sustainable solutions for
www.Hartie’s touch.com [email protected] home care agencies and
INOUT Cleaning 732-406-3129 caregivers that benefit them and the
Services, LLC clients they serve
Evans Nyarko James Lewis 917-216-5090
[email protected] Electrical Corp [email protected]
646-300-9210 fullestpc.com
https://inoutcleaningservicesllc.com Ozni Lewis
olewis@jameslewis The Peli Firm
Mr Squid’s electrical.com
Cleaning Serivces 347-365-3166 Noreen Medas
Jameslewiselectrical.com Business Solutions for entrepreneurs:
Maurice Larkin incorporation, accounting, taxation
[email protected] JPR BUILDERS 1 Dock 72 Way - 7th Floor
917-547-3672 07 INC. Brooklyn, NY 11205
[email protected] 718-532-4950
www.callthesquid.com Pauline Charles-Ajim [email protected]
pauline@jpr www.thepelifirm.com
Paramount builders07.com
Services Group 646-441-8738 The Sixth Sign
114-12 Merrick Blvd, Jmaica, NY, 11434 Consulting Group
Burton Louissaint www.jprbuilders07.com
Reliable commercial cleaning Delinda Sheley
in a COVID-19 world Kemlot Global Associates, Inc Effective business solutions for your com-
[email protected] pany’s growing and ever-changing needs
917-922-1497 Cal Nwabudu [email protected]
General construction, contracting, con- 929-367-7127
Patience Plus LLC struction management, networking, www.thesixthsignco.com
surveillance CCTV, procurement
Sydney Minnow 917-676-9582 Zeen Incorporated
Office cleaning and janitorial services www.kemlot.com
917-294-7773 [email protected] Maxine Stephenson
[email protected] Providing the highest quality
patienceplus.com RHVL Human Resources and Professional
Corporation Development services to individuals and
Respect Your corporations
Home Cleaning Ingrid Boney 347-529-1925
Services God-financed interior renovation, [email protected]
remodeling and new construction services www.ZeenIncorporated.com
Latia Fryar [email protected]
[email protected] 347-644-1497 Educational Services
347-204-6925 www.rhvlcorp.com
Ryhcleanings.com The Ascenders, Inc.

Theresa L Crenshaw-Hammonds
[email protected]
917-708-2991
www.ascenders.us

18 August 10-23, 2021

NEW YORK
BLACK BUSINESSES

DIRECTORY

RESEARCHED AND EDITED BY IAN ROSADO

Educational Services Educational Services Entertainment
(cont) (cont) (cont)

By Goodness Sake, Inc. Reign4Ever Consulting, PSC Stylish Ev Productions LLC

Leonard Bishop Jacinta Bottoms-Spencer Everette Hamlette
[email protected] Business consulting, coaching and Branding cinematograpy, photography
646-494-6639 political agency services firm and editing
[email protected] [email protected]
Carol’s Kids Tutoring Services 240-415-4176 347-573-0370
reign4ever-consulting-psc.yolasite.com https://linktr.ee/stylishevproductionsllc
David W Matthews
[email protected] Science In The City Uncorked
917-974-3267 and Cultured
Kyesha Ruffin
EM Arts Pouring new life into Angela McCrae
science education Unapologetically connecting BIPOC
Emory M Moore, Jr. [email protected] culture and the diaspora to wine,
A professional develop- 917-810-9977 wellness, culture and adventure
ment, arts, health and www.scicityco.com 443-622-4617
fitness education company. [email protected]
347-370-9538 Entertainment uncorkedandcultured.com
[email protected]
www.em-arts.info Gotham City Exterminator
Events LLC
The Equity Project 917-373-2012 Royal Exterminating Co. Inc.
Victoria Yambala
Martha St Jean [email protected] Joe Olobor
Racial equity workshops, 646-996-2656
1-on-1 leadership coach- Homewood Media [email protected]
ing, educator workshops www.royalexterminatingco.
[email protected] Douglas Holloway com
929-267-3675 Multicultural kid and family
https://www.equityprojectnyc.com content from around the Fashion
world
Mastermind By 914-659-4911 Black Pearl
Design LLC [email protected]
Ukwmedia.com Arlene Sutherland
Yolonda Thompkins Fashion designer
Peer-to-peer mastermind group experi- Lafayette [email protected]
ences for driven entrepreneurial leaders Creative Group, Inc 585-683-7047
[email protected] www.instagram.com/arlenesutherland/
https://mastermindbydesign.co Mary Lafayette
Represents artists in Make Brother Vellies
Queen Mixxy Up, Hair, Wardrobe Styling & Costume
Media Design, Photography, and Grooming; also Aurora James
assists local and international designers 71 Franklin Street
Esther Lelievre with branding and product placement. Brooklyn, NY 11222
Collecting and distributing 732-639-1007 718-389-3809
back to school supplies for families in [email protected] [email protected]
need due to COVID-19 www.lafayettecreativegroup.com www.brothervellies.com
[email protected]
347-201-3331
www.thelelievrefoundation.org

19August 10-23, 2021

NEW YORK
BLACK BUSINESSES

DIRECTORY

RESEARCHED AND EDITED BY IAN ROSADO

Fashion (cont) Fashion (cont) Finance & Insurance
Services
The Brownstone Marvel Couture
Corporation Allstate Insurance
Princess Jenkins
Dressing women for the Oluwadunsin Ogunleye Deborah Allen
important moments 917-547-3402 242-14A Merrick Blvd
24 E. 125th Street, Harlem, NY [email protected] Queens, NY 11422
212-996-7980 718-481-6600
Off The Rip
Byas & Leon Allstate Insurance
Tefone Herring
404 Tompkins Avenue 323-212-5482 Shana Heath
Brooklyn, NY 11216 [email protected] 114-24 Merrick Blvd
[email protected] Offtherip.com Queens, NY 11434
www.byasleon.com 718-291-8900
Support Black
The Corner Children Coroebus Wealth Management
Store NYC Inc.
Ali Morgan Taraje Williams-Murray
Kimberley Hicks 929-257-1907 [email protected]
607-386-1066 www.i-s-b-c.com 973-988-4078
[email protected] [email protected] www.coroebuswm.com
www.cornerstorenation.com
T. A. New York En Passant Group
DA SPOT NYC
Telsha Anderson Shawn Zamani
MICHELLE CADORE 332 W. 13th St, Unit B 570-856-8636
445 Albee Square West New York, NY 10014 [email protected]
Brooklyn, NY, 11201 [email protected] enpassantgroupllc.com
347-274-6423 www.shop-ta.com
[email protected] Daspotnyc.com New York Life
Tishas Bag Insurance
Gang
Graffiti LLC Shovonte Hope Kaylia D. Ferguson
[email protected] 347-642-0050
Germain Pearce 917-975-8699 [email protected]
631-829-4649 www.tishasbag.com newyorklife.com/agent/kdferguson
[email protected]
ganggraffiti.square.site TOSOC, Inc Primerica

Glazed NYC Erica Harris Roxanne Curtis-Small
Banna Nega & Shelby Macklin 626-765-4179 347-785-3084
Fashion, film and music www.shopasali.com [email protected]
[email protected] [email protected] www.primerica.com/8fslv
www. glazednyc.com
Wandering Primerica Financial Services
Harlem’s Fashion Row Child Co
Greg Jones, Sr.
Brandice Daniel Katyna Knapton [email protected]
Creating a bridge between 678-396-0864 347-635-7230
brands and designers of [email protected] primericabusinessopportunity.com
color wanderingchildco.com
harlemsfashionrow.com

20 August 10-23, 2021

NEW YORK
BLACK BUSINESSES

DIRECTORY

RESEARCHED AND EDITED BY IAN ROSADO

Finance & Insurance Food Service & Catering Food Service & Catering
Services (cont) (cont) (cont)

Sakhiwe Ase Cafe Corp. Yulonda’s Edible Sensations
Capital Partners
Judith Ojo Yulonda Ruiz
Aubrey Sibanyoni Caterer specializing Southern-Latin artisan dessert catering
917-656-9196 in Southern, Creole 917-602-1364
[email protected] and beyond [email protected]
718-924-0576 quiaufaskitchen.com yesdesserts.nyc
Food & Grocery www.asecafe.com
HVAC
Central Brooklyn Chictreatz llc
Food Co-op First Choice Mechanical
Lytia Wright
Community owned Custom cake provider of 92-13 183rd Street
and operated grocery specialty cakes, pies and Jamaica, NY 11423
375 Stuyvesant Ave, 2nd Fl pastries 718-454-4101
Brooklyn, NY 11233 347-762-1208 www.firstchoicemechanical.com
718-771-7000 [email protected]
www.cbfood.org www.Chictreatz.com Jetway Heating Cooling
and Refrigeration
Good Food For Less Dining With Grace
Sylvia Cothia
Seafood, meats, poultry, general Grace Odogbili 224-17 Merrick Blvd, Queens, NY 11413
groceries; retail and wholesale Pan-African catering 917-331-6037
412 E. 83rd Street, Brooklyn, NY 676 Nostrand Avenue [email protected]
718-209-1562 Brooklyn, NY 11216
347-933-0196 Real Estate
Tea Bags, Etc., LLC [email protected]
www.diningwithgrace.com Clarke Commercial
Regina Brewton Smith & Church Capital, LLC
914-292-0572 Drip Cafe Llc
[email protected] Clyde Allsop
Mitchell Senat We bank the unbank-
Zach and Zoe Sweet Bee Farm Coffee Shop able. Quickly receive
830 Rogers Ave, 1st fl the funding that your
Summer & Kam Johnson Brooklyn, NY 11226 church or business needs.
Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Avenue, NYC 347-637-0478 347-779-7712 clarkecc.biz
[email protected] [email protected]
zachandzoe.co Connections
Munch Hours Inc Real Estate
Food Service & Catering
Niani Taylor Lisa Downing
Adá Supper Club Organic catering 347-439-1322
917-500-1103 Lisamarquis@ verizon.net
Nkem Oghedo, Founder [email protected]
Celebrating Black and www.MunchHoursInc.com Cornelius Group Real Estate
female expression thru
food via thoughtful dining Quiaufa’s Kitchen Natasha Williams
experiences delivered to your door with Serving Brooklyn, Queens,
elegant contemporary asethetics. Rotat- Sherri Royes and Nassau County
ing chefs and menu. Soul food that’s good 917-804-1602
[email protected] adasupper.club for you! [email protected]
516-388-7812 Corneliusgroup.us
[email protected]
quiaufaskitchen.com

21August 10-23, 2021

NEW YORK
BLACK BUSINESSES

DIRECTORY

RESEARCHED AND EDITED BY IAN ROSADO

Restaurants & Eateries Restaurants & Eateries Restaurants & Eateries
(cont) (cont)
B2 Harlem
Chocolat Restaurant Joloff
(B Squared Harlem) Restaurant
Adriane Ferguson Leon Ellis
Elevated seafood concept for the vibrant Southern/American food for Senegalese cuisine
Harlem community dinner and brunch on the 1168 Bedford Ave
271 W. 119th Street, Harlem, NY 10026 weekends Bklyn, NY 11216
212-280-2248 2223 Fredrick Douglas Blvd 718-230-0523 www.joloffjoloff.com
[email protected] b2harlem.com Harlem, New York, 10026
212-222-4545 Londel’s
The Bergen www.chocolatharlem.com
Londel Davis
Tyrone Brown The Crabby Shack Southern cuisine
Takeout burgers, wings, 2620 Frederick
fries, salads, seafood Fifi Bell-Clanton Douglas Boulevard, Harlem
1299 Bergen Street, Bklyn, NY 11213 & Gwen Woods 212-234-6114 londelsrestaurant.com
347-240-7046 613 Franklin Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11238 Melba’s
BLVD Bistro 718-484-1507
[email protected] Melba Wilson
Carlos & Markisha thecrabbyshack.com Southern cuisine
Swepson 300 W 114 Street, Harlem, NY
Modernized soul food, classic cuisine The Door 212-864-7777
2149 Frederick Douglass Boulevard www.melbasrestaurant.com
New York, NY 10026 Joan Lewis, Chris Roberts [email protected]
212-678-6200 boulevardbistrony.com Upscale establishment turn-
ing out jerk chicken, oxtail, Mikey Likes It Ice Cream
Café Erzulie escovitch
and other Jamaican specialties Michael “Mikey” Cole
Haitian American 163-07 Baisley Boulevard Pop-cultured inspired ice cream shop
894 Broadway Jamaica, NY 11434 199 Avenue A, NYC 10009
Brooklyn, NY 11206 718-525-1083 212-673-0199
718-450-3255 www.thedoorrestaurant.nyc 2500 Frederick
café[email protected] Douglass Blvd.,
www.cafeerzulie.com German’s Restaurant LLC Harlem
212-690-2500
Café Rue Dix Clinton Urling 600 Eleventh Avenue, NYC
Guyanese & Caribbean 646-344-1709
West African cuisine takeout, delivery mikeylikesiticecream.com
1451 Bedford Avenue 410 Utica Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11216 Brooklyn, NY 11213 Mother Earth Juice Bar and
929-234-2543 718-513-0376 Caribbean Cafe
[email protected] [email protected]
www.caferuedix.com Dr. Simone Lord Marcelle
Henrica’s Fresh, healthy juices, smoothies, elixirs
Caribbean Starr to strengthen your body, mind and spirit
Jamaican & Chinese 116-03 Metropolitan Avenue
Authentic in every bite Fusion Richmond Hill, NY 11418
280 Malcolm X Blvd 138-89 Francis 347-494-5485 motherearthjuice.com
Harlem, NY 10027 Lewis Boulevard
917-261-7668 Rosedale, NY 11422
www.caribbeanstarr.com 718-527-7355
[email protected]
www.henricasrestaurant.com

22 August 10-23, 2021

NEW YORK
BLACK BUSINESSES

DIRECTORY

RESEARCHED AND EDITED BY IAN ROSADO

Restaurants & Eateries Restaurants & Eateries Retail, Miscellaneous
(cont) (cont) (cont)

Passion Fusion NY INC Teranga Peace and Riot
Harlem
Anaika Quamina Achuziam Maha-Sanchez
Caribbean, Seafood, Latin American Pierre Thiam Home decor and gift store with African
347-517-9422 Traditional and Caribbean influences
[email protected] Senegalese home cooking that emphasizes 401-403 Tompkins Avenue
www.instagram.com/passionfusionbk/ African-grown ingredients Brooklyn, NY 11216
1280 Fifth Avenue, Harlem, NY 10029 347-663-6100
Peaches Hot House Bed Stuy 646-663-1935 peaceandriot.com
[email protected] teranga.com
Southern cuisine Regal Roots
415 Tompkins Ave., Brooklyn 11216 Urban Vegan Kitchen
718-483-9111 Malcolm Jackson
www.bcrestaurantgroup.com Pamela Elizabeth Innovative and cre-
Semi-sophisticated comfort food in an ative approach
Pikine atmosphere like no other vegan to home decor and lifestyle items.
restaurant in NYC. Funky with class. [email protected]
Senegalese/West African cuisine 41 Carmine Street, NYC 10014 347-525-5603
243 W. 116th Street 646-438-9939 urbanvegankitchen.com www.regalroots.com
Harlem, NY 10026
646-922-7015 ZANMI Security Services
Restaurant
Queens Bully Ground Up
Jacques Deus Security, LLC
Melvin “Boots” Johnson Haitian cuisine
BBQ dishes with global flavor 1206 Nostrand Ave., Bklyn, NY 11225 Maria Fields
113-30 Queens Boulevard 718-676-1047 zanminyc.com Commercial and residen-
Forest Hills, NY 11375 tial protective services
718-520-8600 queensbully.com Retail, Miscellaneous in addition to risk
assessment services
Red Rooster Brooklyn Blooms NYC 347-729-4247
[email protected]
Marcus Samuelsson LaParis Phillips groundupsecurityllc.com
and Andrew Chapman Stunning floral arrange-
Comfort food that celebrates ments for weddings, pri- Johnson Security
the roots of American cuisine vate events and for simply Bureau, Inc.
310 Malcolm X Boulevard brightening up your day-to-day
Harlem, NY 10027 212-792-9001 433 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216 Jessica Johnson
www.redroosterharlem.com 347-378-2114 brooklynblooms.com Professional security,
transport, patrol and protective
Sugar Cane Love Notes Candles services.
718-401-3600
Stylish Caribbean Cuisine Nya Kam [email protected]
238 Flatbush Avenue All natural soy wax, cotton based (lead free) www.johnsonsecuritybureau.com
Brooklyn, NY 11217 wicks, and unique custom blended fran-
718-230-3954 grance for your aroma therapeutic needs
347-855-3567
Sylvia’s lovenotesfragrances.com

The Queen of Soul Food
328 Malcolm X Blvd
Harlem, NY 10027
212-996-0660
www.sylviasrestaurant.com

23August 10-23, 2021

NEW YORK
BLACK BUSINESSES

DIRECTORY

RESEARCHED AND EDITED BY IAN ROSADO

Technology Technology (cont) Technology (cont)

AAA PC Corp Intacs Worldcast Live Inc
Technology
Mandoye Ndiaye Peter Lewis
Mobile, computers, Phone service Digital production studio in
repairs, upgrade, data installations and technology the Cloud
247 W. 116th Street 718-406-0471 www.intacs.com [email protected]
New York, NY 10026 53 Bridge St, Unit 508
212-222-6512 IT Transformation Group Inc Brooklyn, NY 11201
[email protected] 877-927-3808
www.aaapccorp.com Sandra Eversley www.worldcastlive.com
Techn solutions for busi-
Dalmar Energy nesses, non-profits and Travel Services
Solutions LLC government agencies
646-770-0202 EBST Made Me Travel LLC
Nicholas Stevens ItTransformationGroup.com
Smart energy and Anthony Tillery
monitoring solutions Precision Analytics Consulting [email protected]
for commercial building, 267-685-9992
campus’s and hospitals Alex Johnson
908-672-0208 Cloud storage solutions, retail and True Nirvana
[email protected] customer intelligence solutions Travel
www.dalmarenergy.com [email protected]
646-512-4139 precisionanalyticsco.io Shateequa Pharis
Hi-End Tech NY 973-506-4757
RA Technology Services [email protected]
Natalie Simon
Cell phones, repair, cases, accessories Roberto Appolon Wine / Spirits
114-10 Rockaway Blvd, Queens, NY 11420 IT solutions including cloud services,
718-288-4525 [email protected] networking, hardware, software BedVyne
929-282-4655
Ho’ike Technologies [email protected] Rotimi Akinnuoye, Michael Brooks,
Peter Medford and Ayo Akinnuoye
Frank Bradshaw Thanni 385 Tompkins Avenue
Full service information Holding Corp Brooklyn, NY 11216
security company that 347-915-1080
manages the cybersecurity Thelma Liverpool [email protected]
needs of small and midsize businesses Enhancing the bed-vyne.com
646-234-0864 quality of home care through technology
[email protected] 347-912-6808 Happy Cork Brooklyn
hoiketech.com [email protected]
www.thannicorp.com Sunshine Foss
C. Holland LLC 51 Buffalo Avenue
USL Technology Brooklyn, NY 11233
Lisa Lowe 347-985-9067
Technology and busi- Fatou Jabbie [email protected]
ness resource solutions 11 Park Place www.happy-cork.com
to companies ranging 3rd Floor, Suite 105
from start-ups to New York, NY, 10007
Fortune 500 866-761-0940
646-489-5972 [email protected]
lisa. [email protected] www.usltechnology.com
Hollandtechnicalsolutions.com

24 August 10-23, 2021

25August 10-23, 2021

26 August 10-23, 2021

27August 10-23, 2021

28 August 10-23, 2021

Aveteran journalist, lead anchor, talk show host
and one of New York’s leading television
personalities focused, fulgent, and forward
as she delivers the news and prompts guests
for their views from the anchor desk at New York 1, Cher-
yl Wills sits comfortably in that chair.

Cheryl was New York News 1’s very first Black fe-
male anchor, starting back in 1992 when the cable televi-
sion network first hit the airwaves. Almost thirty years
later, this consummate communicator has inked her name
in the New York history books of great journalists while
she chisels the path for other young television journalists
to follow.

True to her purpose and her divinely guided destiny,
Wills is a reporter, a researcher, and an interviewer at
heart. She remembers well her younger years at PS 225
in Rockaway Beach, Queens, when she would come home
from school and conduct interviews with the adults in her
family. “They were the subjects of my essays all through
elementary and on to junior high school,” Wills remem-
bers. This desire to get to the facts and the source of in-
formation fueled her passion and a vocation in journalism.

Wills, who was born in Queens, New York, is a woman
of strong faith who continues to work and support Light-
house Church in Astoria that was led by her grandparents,
Elder and Mrs. Fred D. Wills.

“Faith is at the foundation of all that I do, and protect-
ing and fostering the legacy of those who paved the way
means much to me. I am here because of my commitment
to keep the vision and plans alive,” Wills noted while coor-
dinating work activities at the church.

In the life of Cheryl Wills, faith and jour-
nalism have kissed each other. For her, the
anchor desk is a calling, and a part of her
mandate is to make things right, to correct the
falsehood and to help tell the part of the story
that doesn’t get told. “As a child growing up,
everything in the news about us was bad, and
the ‘good’ was never told. We are being given an educa-
tion that doesn’t tell the whole story, and I wanted to be a
voice for good and a voice of change.”

continued next pg

The late Pastor Fred D. Wills and his wife, First Lady Opal Wills, originally
from Haywood County, Tennessee. The grandparents of Cheryl Wills,
they founded and pastored Lighthouse Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ in
Astoria, Queens for nearly 50 years.

29August 10-23, 2021

CONTINUED FROM PG 28 ROOTS by Alex Haley, Cheryl Wills chronicles can better appreciate the struggles of our ances-

It’s this kind of conviction that set Wills on the journey of her family’s patriarch who lived tors because we better understand their stories.

her path. Today, this vessel of courage is the and fought for his country with great honor – And in the case of Cheryl Wills, the stories will

first Black person to win an Emmy Award at with an honorable discharge certificate to prove continue to unfold and her mission ceases not.

New York 1, she is the The first person in

most senior news an- her family to return

chor on New York 1, home to Africa, Wills

she is the host of the read her book to chil-

news talk show In Fo- dren and families on

cus with Cheryl Wills, Gorée Island. She was

and during the years also the first African

prior to the pandemic, American journalist to

she hosted the nation- speak before the Unit-

ally televised Macy*s ed Nations General

Thanksgiving Day Pa- Assembly. Through

rade syndicated show. the Sandy and Emma

Ms. Wills is a long Wills Foundation she

way from her child- plans to create, she

hood years living in remains purposeful

public housing in in her commitment to

Queens, but she is pur- tell the story and to

poseful in her mission get Black children in

to cast a bright light America to visit Afri-

that shows the good ca and connect to their

in “our” community. roots. And of course,

This is a woman to Cheryl in 2018 on the plantation where Sandy And Emma Wills lived until their death. This is the she wants her great,
whom the full tapestry last slave cabin still standing in Haywood County, Tennessee great, great granddad

of what it means to be who died in 1889 to be

Black in America means much; one whose de- it – yet died and was buried in dishonor because reburied in Calverton National Cemetery.

sire is to show all dimensions of Black life and he was a Black man. Unlike ROOTS, none of the Oh, one more thing: she wants Black people

to accentuate the beauty and broad diversity of Sandy Wills story is fictional, and Cheryl Wills everywhere to go and get vaccinated!

Blackness. has meticulously documented every bit

Wills is living out her passion, and she and of detail.

her husband John Singleton, principal of Clear Despite gaining his freedom and his

Stream Avenue Elementary School in Valley military service, Sandy Wills’ remains

Stream, are busy inspiring and educating young are still in an unmarked grave covered

people to better understand their roots and to with leaves on the plantation of slave

learn their history. master John Bertie Moore in Haywood

Speaking of roots and “genealogical” histo- County. The plantation is still owned by

ry, Cheryl has made the search to find and under- the Moore family, who has become in-

stand her own family history and that of other creasingly wealthy as a result of the free

Blacks in America her lifelong avocation. She slave labor of Wills and hundreds of oth-

dug deep into the history of the Wills family to ers. Now Cheryl Willis is on a mission

find her great, great, great grandfather and his to exhume her ancestor’s remains for

wife, Sandy and Emma Wills. DNA verification and the proper military

Sandy Wills was 5 feet, 9½ inches tall, he burial.

lived in Haywood County, Tennessee, he fought As she re-engages John Bertie

for and gained his freedom, and was a soldier in Moore’s descendants, she is energized

the American Civil War. This is only a few lines by the abundance of knowledge this will

in the long enduring saga of American slavery, impart to children and people of all ages

and in her first book DIE FREE: A Heroic Fam- who may want to look into their own

ily Tale, Cheryl Wills penned with exactitude history. In addition to DIE FREE, Ms.

and definitiveness the story of courage, fortitude Wills has written 3 children’s books.

and endurance that this unknown slave endured She wants children to understand Emma

despite the horrors of cruelty, depravity and in- Wills’ story as well, and in some schools

solence. her books Emma and The Emancipation

And the Sandy Wills story – thanks to his of Grandpa Sandy Wills are required

great, great, great granddaughter Cheryl – is the reading.

vibrant example and not the vivid exception. Ms. Thanks to this highly motivated Wills holds military certificate of her great great great
Wills’ extensive research means much to Blacks woman whose voice is heard almost dai- grandfather that shows honorable discharge.
in American, and much like the 1977 classic ly on Spectrum’s News1 television, we

30 August 10-23, 2021

Black Writers, 7new plays coming to Broadway this fall season are by
Producers, Black playwrights! The fall lineup spans from comedies
Directors and to coming-of-age stories:
Actors are
Leading CHICKEN & BISCUITS PASS OVER
Broadway’s Written by Douglas Lyons Written by Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu
Big Comeback
Directed by Zhailon Levingston Directed by Danya Taymor
BROADWAY’S NEXT STAGE: The Jenkins family is coming together to Moses and Kitch talk smack, pass the
celebrate the life of their father – hope- time, and hope that maybe today will be
Life After COVID-19 fully without killing each other! Eldest different. As they dream of their prom-
daughter, Baneatta, wants everything to ised land, a stranger wanders into their
The first inkling of life recently re- be perfect for her father’s funeral. “Fa- space and disrupts their plans. Evok-
turned to Broadway with the opening of vorite” daughter, Beverly, would rather ing heartbreak, hope, and joy over its
“Springsteen on Broadway” at the St. honor her daddy dressed to show the 85 minutes, the three-person play crafts
James Theater on June 26, 2021. The entire congregation what she’s been everyday conversations into poetic and
remaining 40 stages are not scheduled “blessed with.” Teenage granddaughter, humorous riffs, illuminating the un-
to reopen until August and September. La’trice, can’t mind her own business if questionable human spirit of young men
However, it is my hope that the post-COVID-19 theatrical it was on a leash. But any hopes for a looking for a way out. Performances
landscape will be vastly different than the world described peaceful reunion unravel when a family began on august 4 at Broadway’s Au-
by artists of color in an open letter in June of 2020. secret shows up at the funeral. Directed gust Wilson Theatre, with opening night
by the youungest Black director in the scheduled for Sunday, September 12
In my role as adjunct faculty at New York Universi- 250-year history of Broadway, Chicken with a limited engagement through Sun-
ty’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human & Biscuits is a raucous family comedy day, October 10.
Development, I recently had the opportunity to participate so full of laughter and love, it’ll leave
in a discussion with Dr. Jack Caravanos of NYU’s School you begging for seconds. Performances THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN
Global Public Health, and Laurence Maslon of NYU’s begin at the Circle in the Square Theatre Written by Keenan Scott II
Tisch School of the Arts about the far-reaching economic, on September 23, opens on October 10
artistic, social, and public health implications of restarting and is scheduled to run through January Directed by Steve H. Broadnax III
Broadway following the longest theater shutdown in New 2, 2022. As the sun rises on a single day in the
York City’s history – 471 days. We discussed the histor- pulsing heart of Brooklyn, seven Black
ical precedent for the shutdown, the major public health LACKAWANNA BLUES men are about to discover the extraordi-
challenges the industry still faces, and strategies for attract- Written and directed by nary – together. Blending spoken word,
ing multicultural audiences, which I believe is integral to Ruben Santiago-Hudson. slam poetry, rhythm, and humor into a
Broadway’s rebound. daringly universal new play, this richly
Tony Award winner Ruben Santia- theatrical mosaic shines brilliant light
What are your expectations and hopes for the post- go-Hudson returns for the Broadway onto these men, a tight-knit brotherhood,
COVID Broadway? debut of his brilliant solo play celebrat- revealing their most triumphant selves.
ing the strong, big-hearted woman who Broadway previews begin on October 1
Donna Walker-Kuhne is the founder of Walker International Communications raised him: Miss Rachel. In a 1950s at the John Golden Theatre.
Group (WICG), a boutique marketing, press and audience development con- boarding house outside Buffalo, Nanny,
sulting agency specializing n multicultural marketing, group sales, multicultural as she was affectionately called, opened TROUBLE IN MIND
press and promotional events with a focus on increasing access to the arts. her doors to anyone and everyone in Written by Alice Childress
need of kindness, hope, compassion, Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright
and care. Giving a tour-de-force per- Follow an experienced Black stage ac-
formance accompanied by live music, tress through rehearsals of an anti-lynch-
Santiago-Hudson embodies more than ing Broadway drama who finds the cour-
20 vibrant characters, creating a richly age to stand up against the show’s White
textured reminiscence that’s inspiring, creative team. While the play, which
uplifting and right at home on Broad- examines racism, identity, and ego in
way. Performances begin at the Samu- the word of New York theatre, opened to
el J. Friedman theater on September 14, acclaim Off-Broadway in 1955, this pro-
with opening night on September 28. duction will mark the 66-year-old play’s

31August 10-23, 2021

official Broadway debut. Previews begin October All 41 Broadway theaters require vaccinations for audience members, per-
29 at Roundabout Theatre Company’s American formers, backstage crew and theater staff for all performances through Oc-
Airlines Theatre, with opening night on November tober 2021. Under the policy, audiences will need to be fully vaccinated with
18 and performances through January 9, 2022. an FDA or WHO authorized vaccine in order to attend a show and must show
proof of vaccination at their time of entry into the theater with their valid ticket.
CLYDE’S Masks are also required for audiences inside the theater, except while eating
Written by Lynn Nottage or drinking in designated locations.
Directed by Kate Whoriskey
A truck stop sandwich shop offers its formerly in- Exceptions will be made for people with a medical condition or closely held
carcerated kitchen staff a shot at reclaiming their religious belief that prevents vaccination. These guests must provide proof
lives. Even as the shop’s callous owner tries to keep of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of the performance
them under her thumb, the staff members are giv- start time or a negative COVID-19 antigen test taken within six hours of the
en purpose and permission to dream by the shared performance start time.
quest to create the perfect sandwich. You’ll want a
seat at the table for this funny, moving, and urgent For performances in November 2021 and beyond, theater owners antici-
play. Performances being on November 3 at The pate a review of policies in September that may include a relaxation of certain
Hayes theater, with opening night on November 22. provisions if the science dictates.

SKELETON CREW Other plays of interest:
Written by Dominique Morisseau
Directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson MJ THE MUSICAL
In 1008 Detroit, a small automotive factory is on The electrifying new musical that takes audiences inside the creative process of one of the great-
the brink of foreclosure, and a tight knit family of est entertainers in history. Featuring over 25 of Michael Jackson’s biggest hits, MJ allows us to
workers hangs in the balance. With uncertainty ev- rediscover the man in the mirror – with an explosion of music and theatricality as unforgettable
erywhere, the line between blue collar and white as the artist himself. Book by Lynn Nottage. At the Neil Simon Theatre starting December 6.
collar becomes blurred, and this working family
must reckon with their personal loyalties, their in- AIN’T TOO PROUD
stincts for survival and their ultimate hopes for hu- The electrifying musical that follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets
manity. Performances begin December 21 at the of Detroit to the rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty
Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, with opening night on and betrayal is set to the group’s treasured hits. At The Imperial Theater starting October 21.
January 12.

32 August 10-23, 2021

33August 10-23, 2021

HARLEM WEEK’S 5K Run Tribute to David Dinkins

By Ron Scott Black mayor, who passed away last year at the cy Sutton’s idea to take the New York City race
age of 93. out of Central Park and run it through all five
After a year of amateur runners and joggers boroughs of  New  York  City, thereby mak-
being sidelined due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Organizers are expecting approximately ing it the world’s first  marathon  to traverse a
they will return to Harlem on August 14 to com- 5,000 finishers this year. For many 5K runners city,” said Sutton’s granddaughter, Keisha Sut-
pete in Harlem Week’s popular 5K Run. this is a warm-up for the New York City Mar- ton-James. The NYRR’s Harlem Percy Sutton
athon in November. The TCS New York City 5K Run and Walk is named in recognition of the
This annual Harlem Week event is a long Marathon is NYRR’s premier event, and the contributions of Mr. Sutton, who died in 2009.
successful partnership with The Greater Harlem largest marathon in the world that features a
Chamber of Commerce and the New York Road wide population of runners, from the world’s top As a former resident of Harlem, Mayor Din-
Runners (NYRR), the city’s premiere running professional athletes to a vast range of competi- kins was quite familiar with the 5K Run route
club. tive, recreational, and charity runners. that runs through historical landmarks on Har-
lem’s treelined streets of brownstones and goth-
Last year’s run was all-virtual and this year “As Manhattan Borough President, it was Per- ic churches. Prior to becoming mayor, Dinkins
there is a virtual piece that will be held August 7 could often be seen on Harlem’s tennis courts,
- 15. On Saturday, August 14, runners will leave pursuing his favorite past-time.
the starting line on Edgecombe
Avenue at West 136th street at The New York Road Runners organization
8 a.m. and will venture thru the noted they are happy to be honoring the life
scenic route of Harlem running and contributions of Mayor David Dinkins at
north to West 155th Street be- this year’s annual Harlem 5K Run. Since 1958,
fore making a big U-turn south, New York Road Runners has grown from a local
heading to the finish line at West running club to the world’s premier community
138th Street and St. Nicholas Av- running organization. It has been committed to
enue. training resources that provide hundreds of thou-
sands of people each year with the motivation,
This year’s event has been know-how, and opportunity to Run for Life.
retitled “The Harlem 5K Run
Honoring Mayor David Din-
kins,” New York City’s first

34 August 10-23, 2021

As HARLEM WEEK steps into en come from across the city and rep- Harlem Chamber of Commerce, Mr.
high gear, Carver Bank, The Great- resent diverse fields. Lloyd Williams, president/CEO of
er Harlem Chamber of Commerce, Carver Bank, Mr. Michael Pugh, and
and The New York Christian times “One thing that is constant with all Christian Times publisher/CEO, Rev.
hosted an intimate power reception of these women is that they are getting Dennis Dillon were present to salute
at Lucille’s in Harlem to pay tribute it done. They are rising successes and the 30 businesswomen in attendance
to women in business who are help- are making a great impact,” shared and to offer a special salute to these
ing to shape the new entrepreneurial Niles Stewart, Senior vice President six women who continue to demon-
landscape of New York. These wom- for Commercial Lending at Carver. strate great leadership and courage.
The president/CEO of The Greater

Tokunbo Anifalaje is the Director of business Engagement at the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corpo-
ration (BNYDC). Her role at the Yard is inaugural, and she has developed an initial suite of business support
services anchored on four pillars of impact: referral resources, B2B events, marketin,g and business educa-
tion. She also launched the Navy yard’s first cohort-based business education program which provides access
to B2B networking and sales generation meet-ups along with ongoing support implementing high impact
business growth plans. Prior to joining BNYDC, Tokunbo worked alongside many deep-rooted community
partners in central Brooklyn, including Community Board 3, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, and
the Bed-Stuy Gateway Bid. She received her Master’s in City & Regional Planning from Pratt Institute and
holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Wesleyan University. Tokunbo loves to travel and a few favorite
locales to date have been Thailand, Cape Town, and Kauai.

35August 10-23, 2021

Dr. Peggy Elango is a primary care physician serving the community of New York City. Originally from Cam-
eroon and raised in Atlanta, GA, she comes from a family of physicians. She received her medical degree from
Michigan State University, and is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine. She
speaks English and French, and firmly believes in listening to each patient and creating a partnership to maintain
and improve lifelong health. Patients trust her expertise because she consistently provides high quality care that
leads to positive and lasting health outcomes.

Shana Heath is an entrepreneur, investor and franchisee who operates several businesses including the Shana
Health Agency, an insurance agency, and co-owns SHOP Ventures LLC, which focuses on income tax prepara-
tion. She also co-founded The Tax Shop, a company which focused on helping other tax offices and taxpayers
navigate tax audits. Early on, Shana identified that building sustainable businesses within her community would
be her legacy. She sits on the board of the Jamaica Rising Merchants Association, whose mission is to serve

local businesses and organizations while giving back to the surrounding community.

Princess Jenkins is the founder, chief visionary, public speaker and marketing strategist for Harlem’s Crown
Jewel, The Brownstone. An award-winning retailer with an extensive background in the fashion industry, her
passion and niche is the full-figured curvy and confident woman. She has been dressing full-figured women
for the important moments in their lives for over three decades. The Brownstone counts royalty from the stage,
television music, film and politics as personal clients, including Pattie Labelle, Jennifer Holiday, Lillias White,
Ann-Marie Horsford, and Angie Stone, to name a few. She has been voted
Crain’s Magazine Small Business of the Year, name the Woman in Business Champion of the Year by the SBA,
and featured in the Museum of Finance on Wall street exhibit on entrepreneurship.

Adrienne Nicole is an Emmy nominated and award-winning film director, producer, photographer and writer
with numerous productions and 20 years of industry experience under her belt. Her photo and video work has
appeared in print and online publications such as Rolling Stone, Time, Complex, Spin, NBC, The New Yorkers,
LA Times and MT, to name a few. At a young age, Adrienne’s mom saw that she had an eye for film and enrolled
her in a summer program at the School of Visual Arts after her junior year in high school. She immediately fell in love with the entire film making
process and has never looked back. She graduated at the age of 19 from Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL, ranked as one of the top film, re-

cording and animation schools in the world, and received her Masters from the School of Visual Arts.

Melba Wilson was “born, bred, and buttered in Harlem”. Her renowned restaurant Melba’s, is a hot spot for celeb-
rities, locals and tourists from around the world who crave unbeatable American comfort food. Her style, poise,
wit and love of entertaining has made Melba’s Restaurant a New York staple. The restaurant, has garnered rave
reviews from countless prestigious news outlets including New York Magazine, Time Out, The New Yorker and
Zagat. Melba is also the President of the Board of Directors for The NYC Hospitality Alliance, and serves on
New York City Mayor de Blasio’s COVID-19 Small Business Advisory Council. Melba represents her New York
neighborhood as one of the most successful Black women in the restaurant and catering industry.

36 August 10-23, 2021

37August 10-23, 2021

When quarterback Colin Kaepernick ing of Jacob Blake of Kenosha, Wisconsin in August the line of demarcation in the complaints registered
of the San Francisco 49ers first took a seat
and then a knee in 2016 during the play- 2020.  A week later the Milwaukee Bucks decided by athletes, like the current one with top tennis pro
ing of the National Anthem, hundreds
of athletes – pro and amateur – began to not to play their playoff game against the Orlando Naomi Osaka, who withdrew from the French Open
stand up in protest, particularly against
police brutality.  Another knee, this one Magic. They, too, were upset by the wounding of because she felt her mental health was endangered
applied lethally by Derek Chauvin to the
neck of George Floyd, accelerated an Blake who, according to his uncle Justin Blake, re- by being forced to attend post-match press confer-
outrage inducing even more athletes to
demand justice and police reform. mains immobilized from the bullets he received in ences. Several of the players on the circuit have sid-

But abuse and the wanton violence the back. ed with Osaka, who began to express her protests
of law enforcement officers was only one
of the issues inflaming athletes.  Many of Most recently at the Olympic trials in Eugene, at the U.S. Open last year with the wearing of face
them are voicing demands reminiscent
of those symbolized by the raised fists Oregon, during the playing of the “Star Spangled masks depicting unarmed Black victims killed by
of John Carlos and Tommie Smith at the
Olympic Games in Mexico City in 1968. Banner,” hammer thrower Gwen Berry placed her the police.
Activist and sociologist Harry Edwards
was the key organizer of the protests, cit- left hand on her hip before facing the stands and “It has been more than 50 years since athletes
ing four central demands: restoring Mu-
hammad Ali’s heavyweight boxing title, pulling a black t-shirt emblazoned with “Activist like Muhammad Ali, John Carlos and Tommie
removing Avery Brundage as head of the
International Olympic Committee, hiring Athlete” on the front to cover her head. When Berry, Smith, and the Original 9 of women’s tennis all
more African American coaches, and dis-
inviting South Africa and Rhodesia to the who placed third and qualified for the Olympics in stood up and used their sport, their voices, and their
Olympics.
Tokyo, was chastised for the act, she told the press, actions to change humanity,” said tennis pioneer and
The action by Black athletes in Mex-
ico City ignited a wave of protests that “My purpose and my mission is bigger than sports. women’s rights trailblazer Billie Jean King said last
added even more social issues and united
athletes with the Black Power movement, I’m here to represent those ... who died due to sys- year. “The baton has been passed and Naomi has ac-
much in the manner today’s Black Lives
Matter Movement has attracted a number temic racism. That’s the important part. That’s why cepted it.” 
of notable professionals such as superstar
LeBron James and WNBA players after I’m going. That’s why I’m here today.” Serena Williams did not participate in the Olym-
the organization announced the postpone-
ment of games during the height of the Sometimes the protests stem from more than ra- pics and she offered no reasons why. But almost
anti-police rallies. The Washington Mys-
tics each wore white t-shirts with seven cial injustice, though it’s often difficult to distinguish immediately she was joined by other ranking ten-
bullets on the back protesting the shoot-
continued next pg

ATHLETES
asACTIVISTS

HERB BOYD

Special to The New York Christian Times

38 August 10-23, 2021 YOUFRTEHEDASHES

COME CELEBRATE WITH US IN HARLEM!

The Harlem 5K Run Honoring Mayor David Dinkins is still open for registration, along with the Harlem Walk and our FREE
Rising New York Road Runners youth dashes, open to ages 2-11, of all ability levels.
Register today at NYRR.org/Harlem.

08.14.21 | Harlem, NYC

CONTINUED FROM PG 37 door for collegiate athletes to
nis pros Rafa Nadal, Dominic Thiem and Gael
Monfils, giving the action a global expression. receive some financial com-
It’s not unusual for athletes to report an injury
as the reason for not participating rather than a pensation.
social or political circumstance bothering them.
Toward the end of last
Nothing has rocked the athletic realm like
the recent Supreme Court decision that the year as the protest from ath-
NCAA cannot strictly limit certain benefits for
student-athletes as a means of protecting their letes reached a fever pitch,
amateur status. For years, perhaps not in a high-
ly organized or vocal way, student athletes have their actions pressured own-
complained about how universities and colleges
reap tremendous profits through the exploitation ers, corporations, and leagues
of their student-athletes. This decision opens the
to join them, insisting that

each sport begin introduc-

ing diversity programs. A

dramatic moment occurred

when NBA great Michael

Jordan announced that he

would pledge

$100 million over Former Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown presides over a
the next ten years meeting of top African-American athletes on June 4, 1967, to show support for boxer
to organizations Muhammad Ali’s refusal to fight in Vietnam. Those present are: (front row) Bill Russell,
dedicated to ra- Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, Lew Alcindor; (back row) Carl Stokes, Walter Beach, Bobby
cial equality. “We Mitchell, Sid Williams, Curtis McClinton, Willie Davis, Jim Shorter, and John Wooten.

have been beaten down [as African better as a society regarding race.”

Americans] for so many years,” Jor- When Michael Jordan – who for years has

dan, principal owner of the Charlotte been rather lax in his commitment to social is-

Hornets, told the Charlotte Observer. sues – lends his voice and munificence to the

“It sucks your soul. You can’t accept struggle, the protests from athletes have a pow-

it anymore. This is a tipping point. We erful ally and have indeed reached a significant

need to make a stand. We’ve got to be pinnacle. 

Tennis player Naomi Osaka

39August 10-23, 2021

40 August 10-23, 2021

Small Businesses
are the Backbone of
Our Communities.

As your community bank, Carver remains committed to helping small
businesses in NYC grow and succeed, moving beyond the challenges of
this past year.

Carver has funded approximately $23 million in loans to Minority- and Women- Michael T. Pugh
Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) through public and private partnerships like the
MTA Small Business Mentorship Program. President and
Chief Executive Officer
Carver is an approved Small Business Administration (SBA) lender, offering a
variety of loan options to small and minority-owned businesses. Niles Stewart

Our participation in the Paycheck Protection Program resulted in the preservation 1st Vice President
of more than 5,000 jobs and provided $56 million in access to capital for small Head of Commercial Lending
businesses in the communities we serve. [email protected]

Carver celebrates minority business entrepreneurs. For more than 72 years our discipline,
knowledge and social responsibility have remained strong pillars of the bank. Approximately
80 cents of every dollar is deposited back into our communities fueling business growth, job
creation and development.

We invite you to visit our new website at carverbank.com, stop into one of our branches, or give
us a call to learn more.

B A N K I N G W I T H C A R V E R . IT’S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

BEDFORD STUYVESANT • CROWN HEIGHTS • FLATBUSH • FORT GREENE • HARLEM • ST. ALBANS

@CarverBankNYC carverbank.com 855.217.3373