Welcome To The HarlemAmerica Newsroom
Features - October 2026
Before the World Caught On - Peggy Cooper Cafritz Saw Black Artistic Genius
FeaturedHarlemEntertainmentHarlemHistorySeptember 30, 2026
Peggy Cooper Cafritz saw possibility in Black artists before the art establishment supplied its approval. Her historic bequest to the Studio Museum in Harlem now reveals how collecting, education and cultural power can help determine what America remembers.
Harlem’s First Class: A New Era at the Studio Museum Has Begun
FeaturedHarlemEntertainmentSeptember 30, 2026
Derriann Pharr, Simonette Quamina and Taylor Simmons became the first Artist-in-Residence cohort to work inside the Studio Museum in Harlem's purpose-built studios. Their exhibition, A sustained becoming, reveals three distinct approaches to the body, memory and the freedom to imagine what comes next.
Black, Beautiful and Undead: Vampire in Brooklyn and the Joy of Black Horror
FeaturedHarlemEntertainmentSeptember 30, 2026
Black horror has always known how to make fear political, laughter protective and darkness look magnificent. From Blacula and Ganja & Hess to Blade, Get Out and Vampire in Brooklyn, Black filmmakers have transformed the genre—and Harlem is ready to talk back to the screen.
The Green Light Is Ours: Black Film, Black Stories, Black Screens, Black Ownership
FeaturedHarlemEntertainmentSeptember 30, 2026
Black filmmakers are no longer waiting for Hollywood's permission. From Harlem to the Harlems of the world, they are protecting their voices, owning their images and building new roads to audiences. The ABFF New York City Pop-Up shows what becomes possible when Black stories reach the screen on their own terms.
HarlemEntertainment Desk
Architect of Her Own Destiny: Dominique Fishback Blueprint for Stardom
Explore how Dominique Fishback rose from East New York to Hollywood acclaim, redefining Black storytelling through powerful, transformative performances.
Celebrating 90 Years - The Apollo Theater Spring Benefit Is An Event Not To Miss
The Spring Benefit, The Apollo’s signature fundraiser, is a spectacular celebration of the theater’s rich legacy and its commitment to its future.
Jalen Brunson - The Magic Is In The Work, How He Became The Leader NYC Was Waiting For
From Villanova champion to Knicks captain and community leader, Jalen Brunson has become the face of a new generation of leadership in New York sports.
Harlem Took The Runway - Harlem Week 2026 Fashion Review
Harlem Week 2026 transformed the avenue into a runway as Franklin Rowe, Khady Rose, Fluid Covenant, INDEO and several other notable designers showcased their visions of Black style.
Moments For The Culture - Black Music Month, 2022
"Music has the power to lift our spirits, comfort our souls, and inspire our hearts. It gives a voice to the human spirit, creating a common language that unites people and breaks down barriers. Perhaps no music has had as profound and powerful an impact in shaping America’s musical score as Black music."
Before I Let Go - Farewell to Frankie Beverly
Frankie Beverly will be remembered as a legend in the history of R&B. He will forever be a soul music icon thanks to his classic songs, unforgettable live performances, and an impact that will never fade.
Rooted in Rhythm: The Sound of the Diaspora
This playlist invites you to listen with your heart, move with your spirit, and remember that we are connected—by rhythm, by roots, and by the radiant soul of Black expression. Press play and step into a world where history sings and the future grooves.
HarlemBusiness Desk
Inspiration & Resources for Aspiring Black Podcasters
Just like Harlem became a mecca for Black culture through years of innovation, creativity, and strength, people of color are becoming more and more recognized for their astounding achievements in all industries. The progress is slow, but it’s building. And who wouldn’t want to be a part of this incredible movement?
The Truth: Every Black Law Firm Can Host a Produced Podcast
We’ve already talked about how easy and beneficial it is for Black business owners to host a produced podcast with HarlemAmerica. Here are some of the biggest benefits of hosting a legal podcast.
Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Start a Podcast
The total podcast audience in the US is growing by 20% each year, according to PR Daily. Here are some reasons why now is the perfect time to start a podcast.
Creative Ways to Incorporate A Podcast Into Your Business
Podcasts are a great way to boost your business reputation and create entertainment and social media buzz around your brand and your expertise.
HarlemHistory Desk
Moments For The Culture-
Hidden History of Americas First Superstar Athletes – The Harlem Derby
The Harlem Derby began as a one day gathering of people demonstrating the pomp of the Kentucky Derby done “Harlem Style”
Best Places to Experience Black History Landmarks
In this age of mass documentation, it’s important to look back and see how far we’ve come. Here are some important places where Black history has been documented and memorialized.
Never Forget "RED SUMMER 1919"
The "Red Summer" of 1919 was a time of widespread racial unrest, rioting, and civic unrest that hit several American cities to the core.
Medical Breakthroughs Made Possible by Black Excellence
Throughout history, African American medical professionals and researchers have made significant contributions to the field of medicine, often in the face of adversity and systemic racism.
Our Favorite Harlem Books
Here are some of our favorite books influenced by Harlem. Which one are you picking first?
HarlemLove Desk
The Schomburg Center Documents Black Life in America and Worldwide
Founded in 1925, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is “one of the world’s leading cultural institutions devoted to the research, preservation, and exhibition of materials focused on African American, African Diaspora, and African experiences.
The Schomburg Center: A Century of Soul and Scholarship
In Harlem, history isn’t just remembered, it’s alive. Now, as the Schomburg turns 100, we don’t just mark a milestone, we honor a movement.
Harlem's Legendary Apollo Theatre
The Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York is undoubtedly the most famous performance venue in the country associated with Black entertainers.
HarlemEmpowerment Desk
Harlem Week 2026 - Honoring Our Legacy and Building Harlem's Future
Discover Harlem Week 2026, the annual celebration of culture, community, business, music, and leadership that continues to shape Harlem's future while honoring its historic legacy.
By Any Means Necessary: The Evolution of the Shabazz Legacy
Explore the enduring legacy of Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz, and how their vision continues to shape Black power, education, and global human rights.
Reclaiming Our Radiance: Black Health Equity in 2026
In 2026, Black communities are redefining health through culture, food, and collective power. From Harlem to cities nationwide, a new era of health equity is rising.
The Fortress on 125th - The Urban League's New Stronghold
The National Urban League’s return to Harlem with its $242 million Empowerment Center marks a bold new era of Black economic sovereignty. Combining affordable housing, a civil rights museum, workforce development, and a self-sustaining headquarters, the center reclaims Harlem’s legacy while shaping the future of social and economic justice.
PROSTATE CANCER - A Silent Crisis Facing African-American Men
In the fight for health equity, prostate cancer stands out as one of the most urgent issues facing African American men. Though it affects men of all races, its toll is particularly heavy in our community.
Intentionally Buy Black - Navigating The Global Black Marketplace
Your dollar has power. Make it work for the culture. Read our guide to global Black-owned businesses you can support today.
Welcome To The HarlemAmerica Newsroom
Features - September 2026
Before the World Caught On - Peggy Cooper Cafritz Saw Black Artistic Genius
FeaturedHarlemEntertainmentHarlemHistorySeptember 30, 2026
Peggy Cooper Cafritz saw possibility in Black artists before the art establishment supplied its approval. Her historic bequest to the Studio Museum in Harlem now reveals how collecting, education and cultural power can help determine what America remembers.
Harlem’s First Class: A New Era at the Studio Museum Has Begun
FeaturedHarlemEntertainmentSeptember 30, 2026
Derriann Pharr, Simonette Quamina and Taylor Simmons became the first Artist-in-Residence cohort to work inside the Studio Museum in Harlem's purpose-built studios. Their exhibition, A sustained becoming, reveals three distinct approaches to the body, memory and the freedom to imagine what comes next.
Black, Beautiful and Undead: Vampire in Brooklyn and the Joy of Black Horror
FeaturedHarlemEntertainmentSeptember 30, 2026
Black horror has always known how to make fear political, laughter protective and darkness look magnificent. From Blacula and Ganja & Hess to Blade, Get Out and Vampire in Brooklyn, Black filmmakers have transformed the genre—and Harlem is ready to talk back to the screen.
The Green Light Is Ours: Black Film, Black Stories, Black Screens, Black Ownership
FeaturedHarlemEntertainmentSeptember 30, 2026
Black filmmakers are no longer waiting for Hollywood's permission. From Harlem to the Harlems of the world, they are protecting their voices, owning their images and building new roads to audiences. The ABFF New York City Pop-Up shows what becomes possible when Black stories reach the screen on their own terms.
HarlemEntertainment Desk
Harlem’s Rucker Park
Harlem’s Rucker Park is often referred to as the Mecca of Basketball, and in 2021, it’s coming back in a big way.
Samara Joy and the Sound of a New Jazz Generation
With a voice that feels both timeless and unmistakably young, Samara Joy is bridging generations of jazz while introducing a new audience to the emotional depth and cultural richness of Black American music.
Powerful Black Women in Country Music Have Been There All Along
African American women have broken down boundaries and made substantial contributions to country music throughout the years.
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor: The Art of Telling the Whole Truth
From When They See Us to Origin, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor has built a career restoring overlooked Black women to the center of history while becoming one of America's most important cultural storytellers.
Celebrating 90 Years - The Apollo Theater Spring Benefit Is An Event Not To Miss
The Spring Benefit, The Apollo’s signature fundraiser, is a spectacular celebration of the theater’s rich legacy and its commitment to its future.
A Legendary Singer's Singer, Chanté Moore
The legendary R&B and jazz singer Chanté Moore has left an everlasting impression on the music industry with her rich, expressive voice and adaptable style.
Harlem’s Role in the Black Film Scene
Let’s talk about Harlem’s role in shaping what once was endless portrayals of racist and stereotypical Black characters and how the community helped turn it into the diverse representation that we see on the big screen today.
HarlemBusiness Desk
The Harlem Businesswoman
New York City has the largest concentration of women-owned businesses in the country. And Harlem is no exception. Let’s take a look at the history and future of the Harlem businesswoman.
The McKissack Blueprint: 200 Years of Black Excellence
Discover the 200-year legacy of McKissack & McKissack and how one Black family built excellence, equity, and generational power across America.
Editorial Note: Several Corrections have been made to this feature. We apologize for any inaccuracies.
Inspiration & Resources for Aspiring Black Podcasters
Just like Harlem became a mecca for Black culture through years of innovation, creativity, and strength, people of color are becoming more and more recognized for their astounding achievements in all industries. The progress is slow, but it’s building. And who wouldn’t want to be a part of this incredible movement?
Black-Owned Harlem
Harlem has often been called the Mecca of Black Culture for its long and storied history. And today, the Black voices that came from Harlem to change America and the world have helped open doors for Black leaders, entertainers, and business owners to stake their claim on the American Dream. So let’s take a closer look at Black-owned Harlem.
HarlemEmpowerment Desk
Harlem Week 2026 - Honoring Our Legacy and Building Harlem's Future
Discover Harlem Week 2026, the annual celebration of culture, community, business, music, and leadership that continues to shape Harlem's future while honoring its historic legacy.
By Any Means Necessary: The Evolution of the Shabazz Legacy
Explore the enduring legacy of Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz, and how their vision continues to shape Black power, education, and global human rights.
Reclaiming Our Radiance: Black Health Equity in 2026
In 2026, Black communities are redefining health through culture, food, and collective power. From Harlem to cities nationwide, a new era of health equity is rising.
The Fortress on 125th - The Urban League's New Stronghold
The National Urban League’s return to Harlem with its $242 million Empowerment Center marks a bold new era of Black economic sovereignty. Combining affordable housing, a civil rights museum, workforce development, and a self-sustaining headquarters, the center reclaims Harlem’s legacy while shaping the future of social and economic justice.
PROSTATE CANCER - A Silent Crisis Facing African-American Men
In the fight for health equity, prostate cancer stands out as one of the most urgent issues facing African American men. Though it affects men of all races, its toll is particularly heavy in our community.
Intentionally Buy Black - Navigating The Global Black Marketplace
Your dollar has power. Make it work for the culture. Read our guide to global Black-owned businesses you can support today.
HarlemHistory Desk
ECHOES Of Freedom
August 23rd is the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition. It is a day of remembrance, yes, but also a call to rise, to reclaim, and to honor the power of survival.
The History of Black Entrepreneurship
What does the history of Black entrepreneurship look like? Let’s take a look at the last hundred years of Black-owned business.
Before the World Caught On - Peggy Cooper Cafritz Saw Black Artistic Genius
Peggy Cooper Cafritz saw possibility in Black artists before the art establishment supplied its approval. Her historic bequest to the Studio Museum in Harlem now reveals how collecting, education and cultural power can help determine what America remembers.
Medical Breakthroughs Made Possible by Black Excellence
Throughout history, African American medical professionals and researchers have made significant contributions to the field of medicine, often in the face of adversity and systemic racism.
Arturo Schomburg and the Sacred Work of Remembering
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.
HarlemLove Desk
Lloyd Williams Lifting Harlem Higher
We pay tribute to Lloyd A. Williams, longtime CEO of the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce and co-founder of Harlem Week. He leaves behind a legacy that reshaped Harlem’s cultural and economic life. From building institutions to mentoring generations, he was the architect of Harlem’s Second Renaissance.
The Life and Legacy of Judith Jamison: A Dance of Strength and Grace
Judith Jamison's name reverberates in the world of dance like a deep, resonant note that lingers long after the music fades. She was a figure whose legacy transcends the boundaries of her art form.
Moments For The Culture - Thank You For A Life Well Lived – Colin Powell
Secretary Powell has left a remarkable legacy that has lifted our culture and exemplified the best that we can aspire to be as Black Men and more broadly as human beings.