Welcome to Harlem’s Newsletter

  • Harlem Women Bussed To New Jersey
    Harlem Women Bussed To New Jersey

    This film from the Library of Congress shows Harlem women (and one man) bussed to New Jersey during WWII to work in a munition factory. The gathering is clearly on a winter’s day, with snow on the ground. You can see that the pickup for the war work was at Adam Clayton Powell and 135th…

  • 988
    988

    All New Yorkers know 311 and 911 are the numbers to call for issues (311) and emergencies (911). But, starting today, dialing 988 will connect you to a combined mental health, suicide prevention and substance use disorder response team. This new 988 number is part of a nationwide initiative to better address those needs without…

  • For Boarding of Horses
    For Boarding of Horses

    Ebay has a great receipt for the boarding of horses in East Harlem in 1898. Note that there were less than 100 telephones in Harlem at the time (the number to call in this case was “74”). The rate was $22.50/month ($18.72 of which had been paid by The Department of Bridges) which was certainly…

  • Africa Center + MOFAD
    Africa Center + MOFAD

    Make sure to head down to 5th and 110th Street to see the collaboration between the Africa Center and the Museum of Food and Drink, before the current exhibition closes: The exhibit – African/American: Making the Nation’s Table – celebrates the contribution of African Americans to the nation’s culinary culture (both historic and ongoing). By…

  • New Group Exhibit At Claire Oliver Gallery
    New Group Exhibit At Claire Oliver Gallery

    Be sure to check out the new group exhibit at the Claire Oliver Gallery on ACP, just below 135th Street. It’s a strong selection of artists represented by the gallery and scheduled to have a solo show in the next year: Barbara Earl Thomas, Adebunmi Gbadebo, Robert Peterson, Stan Squirewell, Gio Swaby, and introducing the…

  • Photoville on St. Nicholas Ave.
    Photoville on St. Nicholas Ave.

    Photoville – the annual photography show in NYC – has photographic banners up in St. Nicholas Park, visible from St. Nicholas Avenue at 133rd Street. The show presents visiting cards – mass produced photographs of Black Americans in elegant clothing. These 19th century photos show a Black middle-class that had fought to uplift themselves and…

  • Harlem Grown Garden (West 127th Street)
    Harlem Grown Garden (West 127th Street)

    The Harlem Grown Garden, on West 127th Street is a jewel in the community. It’s got chickens, raised beds, solar power, and a robust community engagement schedule that includes compost drop-offs. And to top it off, the East side of the garden has a fantastic mural for all to see: All The East Harlem Block…

  • Manhattanhenge
    Manhattanhenge

    It’s back. Time to look west at New Jersey on any of our streets as the sun sets. Admittedly, the ridge of Morningside Heights, and St. Nicholas Park block a pure vista. Still, it’s a cool thing. Today and tomorrow are optimal viewing. Slutty Vegan Coming To Harlem Pinky Cole has announced that the Atlanta…

  • PLease, DO NOT FEED pigeons RICE!
    PLease, DO NOT FEED pigeons RICE!

    As seen on Park Avenue The Silent Procession Will Be Back – September 18th Summer Playstreet Back on West 124 If you know of 8 – 17 year olds, send them to West 124th Street this summer. The Playstreet will be between Mount Morris Park West and Lenox, on West 124 from July 11 –…

  • New Commercial+Residential Building on 125th Street Coming
    New Commercial+Residential Building on 125th Street Coming

    New York YIMBY is reporting that permits have been filed for a 21-story mixed-use building at 35 West 125th Street between Fifth and Lenox. The location had a Rite Aid and 2 story commercial offices. The proposed 195-foot-tall development will yield 119,064 square feet, with 110,477 square feet designated for residential space and 8,587 square…

  • National Night Out 2022
    National Night Out 2022

    The ever-amazing Kioka Jackson is asking for help with this year’s National Night Out on Tuesday, August 2nd: I hope everyone has had an amazing start to summer.  I know a lot has been going on around the country and within our own backyards but It is my hope that as a community we can…

  • Community Advisory Board Members With a History of Addiction, Sought
    Community Advisory Board Members With a History of Addiction, Sought

    The Department of Health and Mental Hygene would like to get community members with lived experience of drug use to join a Community Advisory Board. Here’s their pitch: I hope this email finds you well.   My name is Roxana from the New York City Health Department of Health’s Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Use Prevention,…