Black People … Why Didn’t You Vote? (Answer Anonymously)
Two smiling women stand outdoors and hold signs reading “Vote Baby Vote” and “Voting is People Power,” c. 1970. (Photo: Gabriel Hackett /Getty Images) ***** So Twitter is buzzing right now about the fact that only 4.7% of African Americans voted yesterday. However, CBS News reports that the number is approximately 10%. Better, but still [...]
Visionaries & Dreamers Weekend in Harlem with First Corinthian Baptist Church
First Corinthian Baptist Church (FCBC) is one of Harlem’s fastest growing churches with Pastor Michael A. Walrond, Jr. as one of its current leaders. Pastor Walrond has created Visionaries & Dreamers Weekend, a three day experience, to kick off a new long term project of the church which will allow members and people from Harlem [...]
Senior Citizens Converge on Harlem to Expand Their Worlds via Technology
Earlier this week, 1,500 senior citizens from Harlem and around NYC (residents of buildings owned by the The New York City Housing Authority [NYCHA]), got hands-on experience with The Internet, Google, Facebook, and Twitter and learned how new devices like iPods, Wii and digital cameras can improve the quality of their lives. They attended NYCHA’s [...]
Hollywood Hits NYC for the UrbanWorld Film Festival — Nia Long, Kerry Washington, Jamie Hector and More Attend the Festivities
Tonight is the final night of the UrbanWorld Film Festival. The five day festival closes with the premiere of Ava DuVernay’s (Director of My Mic Sounds Nice) feature film I Will Follow, starring Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Omari Hardwick (For Colored Girls) and Dijon Talton (Glee). Film screenings began Thursday night at the AMC 34th St Theater [...]
STYLE WATCH: Harlem’s Fashion Row Connects Designers with Fashion Industry Professionals During Fashion Week
Tomorrow, at the close of New York’s famed Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, the Studio Museum in Harlem will be locale of the the Third Annual Harlem’s Fashion Row (HFR) showcase. The fashion exhibition and presentation highlights emerging designers of color. This year, HFR has selected Niiamar, Telfar, Sammy B. and Viscera NY to be a part [...]
UrbanWorld Film Festival Comes to NYC
The 14th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival, presented by BET Networks, comes to the AMC Loews 34th Street Theater starting today. Founding sponsor HBO continues its support of the nation’s largest competitive multicultural film festival. The festival will screen 71 films including 22 world premieres. The festival is open to the public and individual tickets to [...]
Fela’s Antibalas Concert in the Park
I’ve been an Antibalas fan ever since they opened up for James Brown. Even with their Fela fame, it’s nice to see that they’re still doing concerts in the park.
Take Action — Help Stop Child Sex Abuse in New York State
Harlem resident Andrew Willis has created StopAbuseCampaign.com to solicit help from the public in “ending the sickening law that protects child abusers” in New York State. Last week Willis and the Stop Abuse Campaign (a network of citizens concerned about the safety and well being of children) delivered a folder containing the names of over [...]
PETRA — Is the Future of Public Housing in Jeopardy?
I just clicked on this link to send a message to the House Financial Services Committee. The message simply stated, “DO NOT privatize public housing”. According to their website, “The Committee oversees all components of the nation’s housing and financial services sectors including banking, insurance, real estate, public and assisted housing, and securities. The Committee [...]
Single Black Women and Relationships in the Media — The Positive and The Negative, Plus Dating Tips From The Black Carrie Bradshaw
The relationship status of single black women has been one of the hottest topics in the media lately. Reporters around the world are even discussing the issue. Most of the media pits men against women with one group being blamed by the other for the lack of quality, successful relationships that ultimately lead to intact [...]
Film — Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child
I was checking out the Brooklyn Museum’s website and noticed Conversation and Book Signing with Shepard Fairey. I first learned of Fairey because of the famous Obama Hope poster which inspired many variations.
After 40 Years in Office, Harlem’s Charles Rangel Still Holding On — Seeks 21st Term in Congress
As I read an article about Charlie Rangel seeking reelection amid calls to resign I’m reminded of a conversation I had after the New York primary a couple of months ago. I was speaking to someone who had run for office in Harlem and Rangel came up. I asked the person why didn’t he just [...]
Gov. David Paterson Responds to New York Times’ “Bombshell” Article on David Johnson
For weeks there has been a buzz in the media about an explosive article that the New York Times was writing on Governor David Paterson that would have him consider resigning. Personally, I didn’t believe there was anything significant that would be reported. As I mentioned on Twitter, “I could be wrong, but I don’t [...]
Harlem and NYC Don’t Vote Until You Read This
I’ve been thinking about writing this blog post for months. Honestly, there were sooooo many reasons why I think you should vote for Bill Thompson for Mayor of NYC. Many of those reasons are emotional/reactionary and yet still valid. What’s been interesting about this race is that many New Yorkers don’t feel the same way. [...]
Latest Poll Says Minorities Will Determine NYC’s Mayoral Race
More and more New Yorkers have decided to vote for Bill Thompson in NYC’s mayoral race. The momentum continues to shift in his favor with Thompson trailing Mayor Michael Bloomberg by three points, 44% to 41%. ********* ========== UPDATE: Thompson’s gain in the polls have been confirmed by the New York Times the day before [...]
Let’s Get Together — Bunch or Afterwork?
Let’s put faces with names, meet new people and come from behind our computer screens. What do you say? Brunch in Harlem or Drinks and Dinner After Work? (If you can’t see the poll, click the title.) Also, feel free to write any comments below. Thanks …. April
Vote For Us in the 2009 Black Weblog Awards
Hey Everyone, I’m excited to tell you that AroundHarlem.com’s Blog has received nominations in the 2009 Black Weblog Awards. I NEED your votes to help me win. I’ve been nominated in three categories: * — Best Culture Blog — — Blog to Watch — — Best Microblog — (@AroundHarlem on Twitter) * Please click the [...]
Poll: Should Chris Brown Perform at the BET Awards?
I’ve been having a debate on Twitter about Chris Brown performing at the BET Awards. People are saying that since Michael Jackson had such a major impact on his career that we should ignore his recent conviction and he should be allowed to participate in the tribute. Other say that I’m judging him too harshly [...]