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50 years later, Harlem Week shows how the New York neighborhood went from crisis to renaissance

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NEW YORK (AP) — In 1974, Harlem’s deserted streets and crumbling tenements told the story of a neighborhood left behind. Decades of disinvestment had led to a mass exodus generally known as urban flight, with residents watching as their wealthier, more educated counterparts abandoned the New York borough en masse.

But that modified when Percy Sutton, then Manhattan borough president and New York City’s highest-ranking black elected official, launched a campaign to revitalize the historically African-American neighborhood, which was generally known as a world mecca for black art, culture and entrepreneurship.

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It became generally known as Harlem Week, intended to bring back those that had left. On Sunday, organizers celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of Harlem Week after 18 days of free programming that showcased all the iconic neighborhood had to offer.

Harlem Week has been “a constant for the last 50 years in America’s most historic black neighborhood,” said the Rev. Al Sharpton, whose National Action Network is headquartered in the neighborhood. “The dream of Percy Sutton and his peers in government, the arts, the church and other elements of Harlem lives on, stronger than ever.”

In the Seventies, Harlem needed greater than a festival if it wanted to be reborn. Those who remained in Harlem because it fled to the city—mostly low-income black families—turned on their televisions to watch a relentless stream of despair: crime reports, grim statistics, and reporters who called their home a “sinking ship.”

Sutton knew that Harlem was about to experience an invigorating and uplifting moment.

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That summer, Sutton gathered religious, political, civic, and artistic leaders, including Tito Puente, Max Roach, Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, Harry Belafonte, Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee, and Lloyd Williams, and together they envisioned an event that will shift the highlight from Harlem’s problems to its living legacy: Harlem Day.

Radio hosts Hal Jackson and Frankie Crocker hosted a concert on the plaza at the Harlem State Office Building, while actor Ossie Davis cut the ribbon at the intersection of 138th Street and seventh Avenue, announcing the starting of a “Second Harlem Renaissance.”

At a ribbon-cutting ceremony, seventh Avenue was renamed Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard, in honor of the first African American elected to Congress from New York. It was the first time a street in New York City had been named after an individual of color.

“About two or three weeks later, Percy Sutton called us all and said it had been a great success,” said Lloyd Williams, one in all the co-founders of Harlem Day and current president of the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce. “It meant so much to other cities that were emptying out, Detroit and Baltimore, Washington and Chicago, that they asked if we would do it again every year.”

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And so it did, and Harlem Day morphed into Harlem (*50*), and eventually Harlem Week, which grew right into a full month of programming before the pandemic.

“Only in Harlem could a week be longer than seven days,” said Williams, whose family has lived in Harlem since 1919.

This 12 months’s celebration featured entertainment including a performance by hip-hop star Fabolous, a tribute to Harry Belafonte and Broadway shows. Other live shows showcased the jazz, reggae, R&B and gospel traditions nurtured in Harlem, and a whole lot of food and merchandise vendors.

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Organizers also included empowerment initiatives, comparable to financial education workshops and health screenings at Harlem Health Village and the Children’s Festival. Every child who attended the event received a college backpack.

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Harlem Week has all the time been a vibrant tribute to Harlem’s history, to great figures like WEB Du Bois, Langston Hughes, Augusta Savage and Aaron Douglas. It recognizes the Harlem Renaissance and the Black Arts Movement, and honors landmarks like the Apollo Theater and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

Many historians consider the late Sixties and Seventies to be the darkest years in Harlem’s history.

The area was hit by riots, including the 1964 riot by which an unarmed black teenager was killed, the 1965 assassination of Malcolm X, and the 1968 riots following the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Household incomes declined dramatically, and the infant mortality rate was high.

“The neighborhood was run-down,” recalled Malik Yoba, an actor born in the Bronx in 1967 who grew up in Harlem and spent his days playing in the filth of vacant lots. Yoba went to school on the Upper East Side with peers who had country houses in the Hamptons.

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“I didn’t understand why the place we lived looked so dramatically different from the place they lived,” he said. “I knew something was wrong.”

But Harlem residents are creative and entrepreneurial, visionaries and leaders. Where others saw decline, they saw opportunity, and the determination to match Harlem’s potential was high.

Yoba, now 56, built a profession as an actor bringing Harlem to audiences across the country. His experiences with housing inequality also fueled his passion for real estate.

Yoba combats the effects of redlining through his company, Yoba Development, which connects young people of color to the industry and has lively projects in Baltimore and New York.

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“When you grow up in disenfranchised and disenfranchised communities, you can’t see the forest through the trees,” Yoba said. “You can grow up believing that walking past burned-out buildings is your birthright, as opposed to understanding that building is a business.”

Hazel Dukes, 92, a distinguished New York civil rights activist and Harlem resident for 30 years, dedicated her life to fighting discrimination in housing and education. She lived in the same Harlem constructing as Sutton and arranged with him, later becoming national president of the NAACP in 1989.

“I know what it’s like to be outcast,” said Dukes, who was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, during Jim Crow segregation before moving to New York along with her parents in the Nineteen Fifties.

Today, Harlem real estate is coveted due to gentrification and the neighborhood’s enduring cultural appeal.

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“There was a waiting list because everyone wanted to live in Harlem,” Dukes said. “People wanted to come to Harlem before they passed on from this world.”

 

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com

Lifestyle

Our ancestors did not eat 3 meals a day. So why do we?

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Pop Quiz: Replace probably the most famous trio on the earth? If you’re a gourmet, your answer may very well be breakfast, lunch and dinner. This is an almost widely accepted trinity – especially within the Western world.

But how did it occur?

First meals

The first people were nominated. By creating small communities, they’d travel with the seasons in accordance with local food sources.

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Although we will only guess what day by day rhythms of meals looked like, the evidence reaches 30,000 years From the region of South Moravia within the Czech Republic shows that individuals visit specific settlements repeatedly. They gathered around the fireplace, cooking and sharing food: the primary signs of the human “command”, the practice of eating together.

One of one of the best preserved hunter sites we found Ohalo II -Plted on the banks of the trendy Sea of ​​Galilee (also called Lake Tiberias or Lake Kinneret) in Israel and after about 23,000 years.

In addition to several small apartments with hearth, it provides evidence for various food sources, including over 140 kinds of seeds and nuts, in addition to various birds, fish and mammals.

Development Agricultural knowledge About 12,000 years ago, it caused everlasting settlements. At the earliest they were within the Lewant region (in modern Iraq, southwestern Iran and Eastern Turkey), in the realm called “fertile crescent”.

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The fertile crescent includes the wealthy, biological valleys of the Tigers, Euphrates and Jordan Rivers.
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Permanent agriculture led to production excess food. The ability to remain in a single place with hand food meant the time that cooking was not so necessary.

It quickly became common to eat light meal at the start of the day, after which larger meal prepared for the fireplace Later. Specific times could be different between groups.

Food together as a rule

The common nature of feeding and hunting, and later agriculture, meant that individuals almost at all times ate meals in Society of others. In an ancient city in Sparta, in 4th century BCThese practices have been codified as joint foremost meals called (which implies “eating together”).

These meals were consumed at the tip of the day in shared dining rooms. The food was served by young boys to tables of about 15 men who lived together and fought in the identical Military Department. Men progressively shared generational knowledge with young boys who would join the tables on the age of 20.

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WV century BC, Greek historian Herodotus he wrote about As evolved from Spartan military practice to deep political significance in society. Similarly, Plato wrote Universal meals were an integral element of civil society, and the shortage of a meal without a good reason was a civic crime.

Driving in View Citizens were forced to take care of self -discipline from the remaining of the society. The meal was also a chance for social connections and Important discussions From business contracts to politics.

The texts lack the eating habits of Spartan women, although he suggests I ate at home.

Bundles of dinner

Romans, contrary to the difficult Spartan lifestyle Earlier that day, after which a lighter meal just before bedtime.

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Fresco (about 50 ne) née Triclinium, Pompeiii, showing the banquet scene.
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Northern Europe tribes sought two larger meals a day, like more maintenance It is required in cooler climates. For Vikings, these meals were often known as AND or day and dinner party. He was a cooked evening meal, while it often consisted of remnants of adding bread and beer or honey.

In Australia, the evidence suggests that Aboriginal peoples sought Daily single mealwhich complies with the dominant cooking method: slow cooking with hot coal or rocks in Earth’s oven. This underground oven, utilized by the Aboriginal community, in addition to Torres Strait Islander, was defined as Or by some groups.

It is comparable to other native preparations throughout the Pacific, akin to New Zealand Maori Hawaiian Fijian and even Mayan .

The meal could be supplemented with snacks once a day.

Three is a magical number

The class structure, local climate and folks had a great influence on the time of meals day by day activities. Practicality also played a role. Without reliable lighting, the meals needed to be prepared and eaten before dark. It will be 15:00 in settled parts of Northern Europe.

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So how did we go from one or two foremost meals, to 3? The answer may lie within the British Navy.

From the moment the war within the sixteenth century, the Navy served Three regular meals To adapt to the on -board routine. This included a easy breakfast from the ship’s cakes, lunch because the foremost meal and dinner as a more light dinner.

Some sources suggest the term “square meal“Perhaps it comes from square wood trays, during which meals are given.

Initially, sailors received a day by day gallon of beers with meals. This was later modified to rum, the infamous “grog”, which is distributed within the photo from 1940 taken aboard King HMS George V.
Museums of the Empire WarIN CC By-Nc

. Industrial Revolutionwhich began around 1760, probably also played a role in formalizing the concept of three specific meals throughout the Western world.

The term of office of breakfast, lunch and dinner matched the routine of longer, normalized work days. Employees ate breakfast and dinner at home, before and after work, while lunch was consumed with colleagues at a certain time.

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With minimal breaks and lack of time for snacks, three significant meals have grow to be vital.

The fall of the Holy Trinity

Today, many aspects affect time and frequency our meals, from long work to work to juggling hobby and social responsibilities.

(*3*)
The ways during which we eat and divide food are still evolving next to our societies and cultures.
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Kovid Pandemic also influenced how and what we eat, leading us to eat larger quantities Higher caloric dishes. Rapid growth delivery services It also implies that the meal is not greater than a jiffy than most individuals.

All this caused meals to grow to be less stiff, with social meals akin to snackIN elevenses AND Afternoon teas Expanding like us Combine food. And the meals will proceed evolve Because our schedules have gotten an increasing number of complicated.

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This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Michelle Obama finally puts all divorce rumors to bed

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Since Michelle Obama left the White House, and her two adult daughters left the home, she was so comfortable with the brand new independence that it led to rumors, that something was flawed between her and her husband, former president Barack Obama.

61-year-old was the primary lady opened on how she spends time nowadays and the evaluation of her marriage recently throughout the speech within the Podcast Radio Iheart Sophia Bush “,” “,”, “Work in progress. “

The topic arose when Bush asked about Obama’s social life after the White House.

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“What I want,” said Michelle about how she spends time. “For the first time in my life, all my choices are for me.”

Obama also explained that her mother’s roles for daughters Malia and Sasha, currently 26 and 23 years old, and because the first lady limited decisions previously.

Earlier, so as to avoid making decisions for herself, she said she got here up with the necessity to ensure that her daughters were good or her husband’s concert as a president.

Former US president Barack Obama and was the primary lady of Michelle Obama on the National Democratic Convention on the United Center on August 20, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“Now, you know, I can’t blame my decisions and undecided anyone other than me,” she continued. “I think that if I was honest with myself, I could make many of these decisions many years ago. But I didn’t give myself such freedom.”

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However, this newly discovered sense of independence brought the worth: public opinion. Recently, she discussed how she and Barack and their marriage status were the topic of gossip.

Michelle Obama discusses the problem with modern dates on her podcast

“This is something that we fight as women – disappointing people. I mean that this year people could not even understand that I made a choice for themselves. They had to assume that my husband and I divorce,” she said. “It can’t be an adult woman who makes a set of decisions herself, right? But this is what society makes us.”

Obama noticed if something she does, “does not match the stereotype of what people think that we should do, it is marked as something negative and terrible.”

Because Obama was absent within the second inauguration of President Donald Trump in January, speculation about why she was not seen with Barack this 12 months, she spread like a hearth. Meanwhile, the famous couple who celebrated 32 years of marriage in October, for years got here to their marriage.

When rumors about potential divorce recently appeared, Barack admitted that he was in a “deficit” together with his wife after leaving the White House.

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“I tried to dig myself out of this hole, sometimes doing funny things,” said Steve Tepper in an interview with President Hamilton College on Thursday Daily Beast.

Michelle Obama says why he is not considering candidacy for president:

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This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Black beer companies that can devote themselves to the National Day of Beer –

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beer, craft beef, Black Woman-owned Brewery, Minnesota


In the spirit of the national day of beer, which can fall on April 7 Black company It emphasizes eight beer and brewing companies that make great progress in the craft beer sector. These companies present not only a series of delicious beer, but additionally represent diversity, economic strengthening and cultural visibility. Support those black breweries that introduce the taste and community on the stage of craft beer.

Down Home Brewing

Down Home Brewing was founded in 2017 by Chris Reeves based in Atlanta. The brewery is the first producer of craft beer in Georgia. Reeves collaborated with William Allen Moore, a student of a house more to expand the undertaking. Although at the moment they lack a tangible brewery, they use contract pair to sell their products in over 130 Georgia stores with the aspirations of the physical site in the future. Their collection includes Georgia Hooch IPA, T-POM Pszenice beer, right hazy IPA and muddy water porter. Every beer embodies daring flavors.

Crown & Hops Brewing Co.

Crowns & Hops Brewing Co., a brewery belonging to black people and situated in Inglewood, California, is the work of two co -founders, Bena Ashburn and Teo Hunter. As the first brewery owned by a black woman in the area. Crowns & Hops goals to maintain cultural heritage, introduce latest flavors and unite people by producing excellent beer. Crowns & Hops creates a number of unique beers comparable to Peaches Mama, a peach shoemaker. The beer brand also received an award for initiatives, comparable to the “8 trillic pils” program addressed to Black Browary. The brewery established the way to ensure a spread of and appropriate cultural representation in the basement industry.

Harlem Brewing Co.

Harlem Brewing Company is a craft brewery, which was founded in November 2000 and is the creation of Celeste Beatty. Beatty is the only African American in the United States, who owns the brewery. The brewery is predicated in Harlem in New York and is inspired by the history of neighborhood culture. Harlem Brewery produces beers commemorating African -American culture. Beatty began homebrewing in her apartment. She got here up with the idea to create characteristic beers, comparable to Golden Ale, which is known as Harlem’s historical district.

Cajun Fire Brewing Company

Cajun Fire Brewing Company is an exceptional brewery founded in 2011 by Jon Renthrope in New Orleans, Louisiana. This is the first brewery in the south belonging to the black person and the first brewery in the country that have each black and Indian. Due to the love of craft beer and faith in his cultural heritage, Renthrope founded a brewery after they encouraged him. He created Cajun Fire Brewing, not only to represent the traditions and culture of New Orleans, but additionally contributes to solving socio -economic problems present on this area. The company’s motto, “Brewing for social and economic one mug at once”, especially personifies its goal of revitalization in Nowy Orlean East through the development of jobs and constructing community. Cajun Fire beers are produced using various influences of the traditions of the Diaspora Cajun, Cajun, Houm, Indian and African traditions.

Kharuses

Khonso Brewing is a craft brewery based in Atlanta founded in 2017 by friends of Kevin Downing, Corby Hannah and William Teasley. The name “Khonso” is a tribute to Khonso IM-Heba, the legendary ancient Egyptian brewery known for drinks that would enjoy pharaohs and odd. The founders who began their journey home in 2013 founded Brewing Khonso to ensure progressive and various beer offers that honor cultural heritage and promote community involvement. Their beers, including the standing Peachtree, Pullman Yard and Sweet Auburn, are appointed tribute to the districts of Atlanta and the history of the city. Khonso Brewing offers “escaping from the usual.”

Sankov Beer Co.

The Beer Company is Washington, a producer and distributor of craft beer from DC. Sankafa Beer was founded in 2017 throughout the life of Kofi Meroe and Amado Carsky’s friends. “Sankofa” comes from the people of Ashanti/Akan Ghany, which implies “come back and get”. The term symbolizes the importance of understanding and adopting your heritage to construct a powerful future. Meroe and Carsky, who grew up together in West Africa, began the house home in 2012 and experimented with the inclusion of the flavors of upbringing. Their flagship beer, hypebiscus, is a pale beer saturated with Hibiscus flowers, a nod to the popular Hibiscus tea in West Africa generally known as Bissap. The company’s mission is to create an area where culture meets craftsmanship, attracting inspiration from its West Africa to expand the conventions of craft beer.

Joyhound Beer Company

Joyhound Beer Company is a family craft brewery in Baltimore. The company’s founder, Alfred Rotimi, is a neuronauk and brewer. His passion for brewing and science experience inspired Rotimi to start Joyhound as a mixture of science, art and community, with the slogan “Craft Beer for Nerds, by Nerds”. The brewery is predicated on contract brew and distributes its products in over 65 locations, including trader Joe’s and Total Wine. Their beers – Tailwagger, Foggy Chesapeake and Plum Power Sour – are the best examples of unique flavors and native ingredients. The name Joyhound is a tribute to the fact that brewing brings joy to the family and represents the family to dogs. The company is involved in the Steam principles, a creative process of beer production and fidgeting with it.

Browar 18th Street

Browar 18th Street is Hammond, an Indiana Brewery, founded in 2010 by Drew Fox, which gained the inspiration from a visit to Belgium, which made him fall in love with various styles of beer. Thanks to the mission of brewers creating creative, high -quality beer, the brewery presents many sorts, comparable to Saisons, IPA, Stoutes, Lagers and expensive B&B, comparable to double milk “Hunter” and Pale but “Candi Crushable”. The brewery operates in two locations: a big production facility and Brewpub in Hammond and a smaller taproom in Gary, original taproom with a ten-bar open fermentation system. The vision of Drew Fox combines creativity and culture with love for beer, which will likely be the principal driving force of the characteristic brand identity.

(Tagstranslate) Black Beer Brands (T) Brearter Breare (T) National Beer Day

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This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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