Happy 2nd anniversary to my column and I want to thank God and my readers for this culinary journey. During this holy time of the year I want to reflect on the pivotal role that the black church has played in establishing Harlem as the “Mecca” of black life in America. It is around the…

Interior restoration work is continuing at Hamilton Grange National Memorial and state-of-the-art multimedia exhibits Visitor Center. Teams have recently begun work on the historic fireplaces, replacing damaged bricks and preparing the fireplaces to receive their facings. PHOTOGRAPHY Marcus Samuelsson Hosts “Community Conversation” At Harlem’s Red Rooster by Glenn Hunter.

Three new restaurants have received Community Board 10 support to open a sidewalk cafe in Central Harlem. Among them is Applebee’s chain at the corner of 125th Street and Fifth Avenue. The sidewalk cafe will be on Fifth Avenue. PHOTOGRAPHY Marcus Samuelsson Hosts “Community Conversation” At Harlem’s Red Rooster by Glenn Hunter.

By Walter Rutledge The curtain rises, the music begins and the lighting illuminates the space directly in front of us. Within seconds movement begins to soothe the rush of anticipation. Be it a group, duet or solo the number of people is not important; there in the dark the human form carves away the negative…

The statement below is from Michael Lythcott and Sade Lythcott, son and daughter of national Black Theater founder Dr. Barbara Ann Teer: “The National Black Theater has been part of the cultural foundation of Harlem for more than 40 years. Unfortunately, nefarious business practices and eventual abandonment by our investor group, Nubian Heritage, now threaten…

The Rice High School Board of Directors announced that it is pursuing several options to ensure that the school can continue to offer young men a Catholic, college preparatory education in central Harlem. Due to a confluence of factors, Rice High School is presently at-risk of closing in June 2011, at the conclusion of its…

I was heading up from Times Square to Powell and 125th to check out the exhibit at the Studio Museum. I was on Broadway, at 44th Street, ducking and dodging the meandering tourists. As the multitudes of tourists look up and around (any which way but straight ahead,) PHOTOGRAPHY Marcus Samuelsson Hosts “Community Conversation” At…

Cora T. Walker, a prominent New York lawyer who nearly 60 years ago became one of the first black women to practice law in the state, died in 2006 at her home in Harlem, NY. She was 84. The cause was cancer, said her son Lawrence R. Bailey Jr., a lawyer, who practiced with his…

By Walter Rutledge 2012 is just days away, and 2011 is literally dancing into the sunset. Here are a few of the events taking place in Harlem and around the city that will help usher in the new year. PHOTOGRAPHY Marcus Samuelsson Hosts “Community Conversation” At Harlem’s Red Rooster by Glenn Hunter.