Harlem’s New Hospitality Landmark: Inside the Press Conference at The George at Columbia
By G. Keith Alexander, Chief Correspondent, HarlemAmerica® Digital Network
The Most Soulful Place on Earth®
A New Day, A New Hilton — Right Here in Harlem
It was one of those crisp Harlem mornings when the air feels full of possibility. As press and community members began arriving, you could sense the anticipation — the feeling that something important was happening on our side of town.
And it was.
Harlem is now home to its first Hilton property, a major milestone in how our community welcomes travelers, supports local business, and pushes the culture forward. The moment felt historic. The moment was historic.
Novi Brown Welcomes HarlemAmerica In
Before the event officially kicked off, actress, writer, producer and “Sistas” star Novi Brown, brand ambassador for The George Hotel, stepped into the frame of my HarlemAmerica camera as if she were speaking directly to our global viewers.
Warm, poised, and glowing with pride for the project, she invited us to follow her through the space — giving HarlemAmerica audiences worldwide a VIP look at this new jewel standing tall in the very heart of uptown.
For a moment, it felt as if Harlem was speaking through her.
A Press Conference Rooted in Culture, Growth & Progress
Once gathered inside, the press conference moved with both elegance and momentum.
Sam Martinez, the hotel’s General Manager, shared the significance of the moment — not just for the Hilton brand, but for Harlem’s future in tourism and business.
Standing not far from him was the Executive Vice President of NYC Tourism, Tiffany Townsend, reinforcing a message the city has been echoing:
Harlem is no longer the cultural destination of tomorrow. It’s the cultural destination of today.
They spoke passionately about:
- The historic arrival of Hilton in Harlem
- Expanding lifestyle hospitality further uptown
- Increasing tourism that uplifts small businesses
- Encouraging travelers to choose Harlem as a stay, not only a stop
As Harlem’s Chief Correspondent, I couldn’t help but feel proud. This is the kind of partnership and progress HarlemAmerica has been championing for years.
A Look Inside: Design That Honors Harlem’s Story
Of course, no HarlemAmerica coverage is complete without capturing the visual soul of a place.
The George at Columbia delivers.
The design — refined, warm, modern — echoes Harlem’s sophisticated spirit. Beautiful rooms, stylish corridors, curated décor, and touches of luxury that feel authentically Harlem, not something transplanted from downtown.
It’s the kind of property that says:
“Visitors, welcome home. This is Harlem hospitality.”
HarlemAmerica’s Mission: Supporting Tourism & Growth
As always, HarlemAmerica is here to uplift the culture, celebrate our community’s achievements, and help tell the stories that shape the Harlem of today.
This hotel isn’t just a building.
It’s a signal.
A signal that Harlem is growing — thoughtfully, beautifully, and proudly.
And we’re honored to share that growth with the world.
The Moment Through My Eyes
As I stood there with my camera, wearing my HarlemAmerica press credentials as Chief Correspondent, I felt the weight of the moment. The joy. The meaning. The responsibility.
This isn’t just about hospitality.
It’s about Harlem’s next chapter.
And I’m grateful we get to tell that story together.
This Month’s Featured Articles
Cynthia Erivo’s legacy is still unfolding, but its foundation is already clear. She is not merely collecting accolades; she is reshaping the rooms she enters.
Common stands as something increasingly rare: an artist who has aged with integrity. Not defined by awards alone, but by ecosystems nurtured — creative, cultural, and civic.
In Harlem, where cultural revolutions have always taken shape, Dance Theatre of Harlem continues to dance the future forward — one line, one rhythm, one generation at a time.
As Harlem faces the pressures of economic change, the Schomburg Center remains a stabilizing force. It is a place where ancestors speak, where scholars gather, and where community memory is treated as sacred infrastructure.
FeaturedG.Keith AlexanderHarlem - The Most Soulful Place On Earth™
Harlem’s New Hospitality Landmark: Inside the Press Conference at The George at Columbia
Harlem’s New Hospitality Landmark: Inside the Press Conference at The George at Columbia
By G. Keith Alexander, Chief Correspondent, HarlemAmerica® Digital Network
The Most Soulful Place on Earth®
A New Day, A New Hilton — Right Here in Harlem
It was one of those crisp Harlem mornings when the air feels full of possibility. As press and community members began arriving, you could sense the anticipation — the feeling that something important was happening on our side of town.
And it was.
Harlem is now home to its first Hilton property, a major milestone in how our community welcomes travelers, supports local business, and pushes the culture forward. The moment felt historic. The moment was historic.
Novi Brown Welcomes HarlemAmerica In
Before the event officially kicked off, actress, writer, producer and “Sistas” star Novi Brown, brand ambassador for The George Hotel, stepped into the frame of my HarlemAmerica camera as if she were speaking directly to our global viewers.
Warm, poised, and glowing with pride for the project, she invited us to follow her through the space — giving HarlemAmerica audiences worldwide a VIP look at this new jewel standing tall in the very heart of uptown.
For a moment, it felt as if Harlem was speaking through her.
A Press Conference Rooted in Culture, Growth & Progress
Once gathered inside, the press conference moved with both elegance and momentum.
Sam Martinez, the hotel’s General Manager, shared the significance of the moment — not just for the Hilton brand, but for Harlem’s future in tourism and business.
Standing not far from him was the Executive Vice President of NYC Tourism, Tiffany Townsend, reinforcing a message the city has been echoing:
Harlem is no longer the cultural destination of tomorrow. It’s the cultural destination of today.
They spoke passionately about:
- The historic arrival of Hilton in Harlem
- Expanding lifestyle hospitality further uptown
- Increasing tourism that uplifts small businesses
- Encouraging travelers to choose Harlem as a stay, not only a stop
As Harlem’s Chief Correspondent, I couldn’t help but feel proud. This is the kind of partnership and progress HarlemAmerica has been championing for years.
A Look Inside: Design That Honors Harlem’s Story
Of course, no HarlemAmerica coverage is complete without capturing the visual soul of a place.
The George at Columbia delivers.
The design — refined, warm, modern — echoes Harlem’s sophisticated spirit. Beautiful rooms, stylish corridors, curated décor, and touches of luxury that feel authentically Harlem, not something transplanted from downtown.
It’s the kind of property that says:
“Visitors, welcome home. This is Harlem hospitality.”
HarlemAmerica’s Mission: Supporting Tourism & Growth
As always, HarlemAmerica is here to uplift the culture, celebrate our community’s achievements, and help tell the stories that shape the Harlem of today.
This hotel isn’t just a building.
It’s a signal.
A signal that Harlem is growing — thoughtfully, beautifully, and proudly.
And we’re honored to share that growth with the world.
The Moment Through My Eyes
As I stood there with my camera, wearing my HarlemAmerica press credentials as Chief Correspondent, I felt the weight of the moment. The joy. The meaning. The responsibility.
This isn’t just about hospitality.
It’s about Harlem’s next chapter.
And I’m grateful we get to tell that story together.
This Month’s Featured Articles
Cynthia Erivo’s legacy is still unfolding, but its foundation is already clear. She is not merely collecting accolades; she is reshaping the rooms she enters.
Common stands as something increasingly rare: an artist who has aged with integrity. Not defined by awards alone, but by ecosystems nurtured — creative, cultural, and civic.
In Harlem, where cultural revolutions have always taken shape, Dance Theatre of Harlem continues to dance the future forward — one line, one rhythm, one generation at a time.
As Harlem faces the pressures of economic change, the Schomburg Center remains a stabilizing force. It is a place where ancestors speak, where scholars gather, and where community memory is treated as sacred infrastructure.
FeaturedG.Keith AlexanderHarlem - The Most Soulful Place On Earth™
Harlem’s New Hospitality Landmark: Inside the Press Conference at The George at Columbia
