Alicia Keys Gets Candid on ‘The Conversation’

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What is the definition of true beauty? How can one balance pursuing their career while raising a family? How can we overcome the gender gap in the workplace? These are just a few of the many obstacles that women in society are confronted with today. The new Lifetime series titled “The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet” shines light on all of these issues.

The intimate talk show series hosted by Amanda de Cadenet and executive produced by actress Demi Moore, features a series of candid interviews with some of the world’s most influential women. Singer Lady Gaga, actress Gwyneth Paltrow, and New York State Senator Kirsten Gillibrand are just some of the notable individuals to be featured on the show. On the most recent episode, Harlem songstress Alicia Keys spoke openly about her perception of body image, how she’s been dealing with motherhood and provided advice that she would give her 14-year-old self.

On her perception of body image:

“I think we as females are the most beautiful gorgeous creatures in the world. I think that we are gorgeous no matter what size we are, in fact I personally think that we’re even more beautiful when we are a bit thicker and bigger and more robust. You’re beautiful not because of what size we are, you’re beautiful because of how your mind works. You’re beautiful because you have this gorgeous heart and that comes through way more than fitting into some size 2 dress.”

On breastfeeding:

“I loved it. Well, there were a couple of things no one told you. I took this whole class too, which I thought was really good because I think a lot of people think you’re just supposed to have this natural instinct that’s supposed to happen out of thin air. There’s a technique to learn and if you don’t know it, it’s not your fault. I was glad I did that because I felt kind of prepared a little bit. The whole engorgement thing, no one mentioned that part.”

On advice that she would give to her younger self:

“Reel it in and come back. Don’t go so fast. You honestly don’t want to get there that fast.”

Watch Alicia’s interview on The Conversation here.

The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet airs every Thursday on Lifetime at 11/10c.

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Harlem’s Teyana Taylor Signs with G.O.O.D Music

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Harlem singer Teyana Taylor’s latest career move is indeed a “G.O.O.D” one.  Following months of speculation it has been confirmed that Taylor has officially signed with Kanye West’s G.O.O.D Music label in conjunction with Island Def Jam.

Taylor stepped into the music scene six years ago as Neptune’s producer Pharrell’s protégée. Her debut album entitled From a Planet Called Harlem dropped in 2008 and featured her breakout single “Google Me”. Over the course of her music career, Taylor has dabbled in songwriting as well. At the age of 21 she’s already garnered a handful of co-writing credits. She co-wrote Nicki Minaj’s “Right by My Side” which was featured on Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded.

The Harlemite was also included on Kanye West’s critically-acclaimed album My Dark Twisted Fantasy. This past summer the singer got some buzz for her remake of Drake’s hit single “Marvin’s Room”. Last month Taylor released a mixtape titled The Misunderstanding of Teyana Taylor, where she paid homage to all of her musical influences.  The mixtape featured the likes of Fabolous, Wale, Jadakiss and rapstress Honey Cocaine.

Taylor will be joining a group of very talented entertainers. G.O.O.D Music’s roster includes, Big Sean, Pusha T, Kid Cudi, John Legend, Q-Tip, and more. She plans on releasing more information regarding her first G.O.O.D Music LP and upcoming singles within a few weeks.  What are your thoughts about Teyana Taylor signing with Kanye’s G.O.O.D Music label?

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Rep. Rangel Lacks Support from Obama and Bloomberg

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Having the support of the President of the United States and the Mayor of New York City would be a shoe-in for anyone in New York that is fighting for a congressional seat; unfortunately Congressman Charlie Rangel will have to do without. The 21-term Harlem congressman will have to fight one of the hardest re-election battles of his political career without President Barack Obama or Mayor Michael Bloomberg in his corner.

Rep. Charlie Rangel has already been confronted with several obstacles. The district that he’s fighting to represent is predominately Latino and has expanded beyond his power base; he’s running against powerful contenders; his messy political past is resurfacing and he is experiencing several health issues. To add to that list of setbacks, Mayor Bloomberg and President Obama have shied away from endorsing Rep. Rangel. Both political leaders have decided not to weigh in on this particular congressional race.

Mayor Bloomberg, who has supported Rangel in the past despite him being found guilty of several ethics violations and losing his chairmanship of the Ways and Means Committee, is uncertain about standing behind Rangel this time around. “If you remember in the past, I have endorsed Charlie Rangel. He has brought home the bacon,” Bloomberg told reporters. “I have not decided whether I’m getting into this race or not. I haven’t fully thought about it yet. It’s just too early. I’m going to let this play out.”

In 2010, following Rep. Rangel’s ethics troubles, President Barack Obama expressed his discontent with the situation. When asked about the ethics violations, President Obama said that they were “very troubling” and he added that he hoped Rep. Rangel would end his career with dignity. Last week, when White House Press Secretary Jay Carney was asked whether the President would endorse Rangel he replied “”I’ll have to get back to you on that.”

Rangel is being challenged by State Senator Adriano Espaillat who hopes to become the nation’s first Dominican-American congressman. Another one of his contenders is Clyde Williams, the former National Political Director of the Democratic National Committee. Williams worked as a domestic policy advisor for former president Bill Clinton, and his wife served as White House Deputy Chief of Staff for President Obama.

Despite the lack of support from President Obama and Mayor Bloomberg, Rep. Rangel has another power player on his team. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz has decided to endorse Rangel. The primary will take place on June 26th. What are your thoughts about President Obama and Mayor Bloomberg shying away from supporting Rep. Rangel? Do you think he has a chance without them in his corner?

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High-End Real Estate Emerges in Harlem

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Forty years ago, Harlem was considered to be one of the last places where someone would want to settle down. Nearly the entire community was plagued by drug addiction, poor housing conditions, inadequate education and a disintegrating economy. During the 1970’s many Harlemites fled the neighborhood in search of areas with safer streets, better schools and homes. Between 1976 and 1978 Central Harlem lost almost a third of their population. In recent years, Harlem has become a hotspot amongst wealthy New Yorkers.

The same neighborhood that people were fleeing forty years ago has emerged into one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the city.  The luxury condominiums and premiere attractions that include places like the Museum of African Art, has drawn wealthy New Yorkers to the neighborhood. According to the New York Daily News, a luxury penthouse located in the One Museum Mile building on 110th Street and 5th Avenue in Harlem, was sold for $3.1 million. The building also houses the Museum of African Art.

The president of the museum, Elsie McCabe believes that the purchase insinuates good things to come for the neighborhood. “No housing was lost, no one was displaced here,” she told the New York Daily News. “This only adds housing to the neighborhood and brings a higher-income demographic that increases the local diversity.” She also explained how the museum and luxury living quarters will be beneficial for the community. “It adds a cultural context this part of the city has never seen before. Museums are economic engines,” she said. “We expect more than 630,000 visitors in our first year of operation. This will bring money in from outside the community, the city, and country.”

Not everyone in the community is welcoming the new additions to the neighborhood with open arms. Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito expressed her discontent with the One Museum Mile building. “Those prices are sheer madness,” she told the New York Daily News. “That building was originally slotted for education purposes, then the museum became community space for the luxury condos.” She also added that the Harlem community is in need of more affordable housing.

While affordable housing is a necessity for the neighborhood, the cost of living continues to rise. According to The Central Park Conservancy, home values around 110th street have risen 39% from 2007 to 2012. The price per square foot for an apartment in that area is nearly the same in the East Village, Chelsea and the upper West Side.

One Museum Mile is located at the northern tip of Central Park. Some of the amenities of the building include a gym, a lounge for teens, a catering kitchen and one of the highest rooftop pools in New York City. Several NFL players and entertainers have been seen touring the building. What are your thoughts about One Museum Mile?

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Two Harlem Basketball Teams Battle in the Courtroom

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Anybody that knows the game of basketball understands that averaging about eight minutes and one point a game in two seasons just won’t cut it if you’re trying to go pro. But despite having a mediocre college basketball career at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, LaMarvon Jackson is at the forefront of legal battle between two Harlem-based professional basketball teams.

The 6-foot-5 Alabama-bred forward may not have put up outstanding stats in college, but his exceptional ability to perform acrobatic dunks caught the eye of two pro teams. In 2010, Jackson joined the Harlem Ambassadors, a basketball team that tours the country and plays exhibition games in small arenas. After receiving buzz from playing with the Ambassadors, The Harlem Wizards a rival show team expressed their interest in Jackson. He later decided to sign with the Wizards and play for them this season.

Jackson’s decision to join the Wizards’ roster has sparked a dispute. At the end of last year the Ambassadors commenced a lawsuit against the Wizards claiming that they persuaded Jackson to break his contract and leave the team. The Ambassadors are currently seeking $73, 620 worth of general contract and disciplinary damages. What makes this lawsuit more complex is the fact that The Ambassadors and The Wizards are independent teams. Both teams aren’t governed by a collective bargaining agreement. “You have an obscure college basketball player becoming a coveted employee because of his jumping ability,” said Michael McCann, the director of the Sports Law Institute at the Vermont Law School in an interview with the New York Times. “This shows that even with something that’s inherently fun, there are still legal disputes between companies offering similar products.”

Dale Moss, the President of the Ambassadors explained how his players sign one-year contracts with a team option for a second year, allowing the organization to see which players can handle being a part of the team. “If we find and develop a performer, you don’t really have the ability to market them as a rookie, so the second year is the payoff year,” Moss told the New York Times. According to Todd Davis, the president of the Harlem Wizards, Jackson’s contract was deplorable. He stated that the contract entitled Jackson to earn only $60 per game as an independent contractor and he was unable to receive workers’ compensation.

Jackson claimed that the money that he received with the Ambassadors barely covered his expenses, but his love for basketball and kids influenced him to sign the contract. “The Ambassadors deal wasn’t a great contract, but I love to play basketball and working with kids, so I signed it,” he told the New York Times. “I really didn’t want to continue there — because if I got hurt there, there was no way for me, with the amount I was being paid, to cover any kind of medical bills.”

The complaint states that an agent from the Wizards approached Jackson in August of 2011 to convince him to switch teams. When the Ambassadors training camp started on Sept. 1st of last year, Jackson was nowhere to be found. He cut off contact with the Ambassadors organization and eventually his photograph was posted on the Wizards’ website. A hearing concerning the case is scheduled for August. The two teams will have to duke it out in the courtroom. Do you think a lawsuit is necessary in this situation?

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St. Nicholas Houses Residents Oppose to New Charter School

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You would think the addition of a new school would serve as a sign of hope and progress for any community, but some residents in Harlem aren’t looking forward to the establishment of a new learning institution. Harlem educator Geoffrey Canada’s plan to build a five-story charter school in the center of St. Nicholas Houses has divided the community. Some people believe that the creation of a new school will uplift the neighborhood, while others disapprove of its location.

The $100 million dollar school which will be called Promise Academy 1 will not only serve as a learning institution for nearly 1,200 students from K-12, it will also be utilized as a community center that will offer program for residents.  Ever since the project broke ground, the residents of the St. Nicholas Houses have expressed their opposition. Many residents believe that a new school in Harlem would bring a positive change to the community, but they don’t understand why Mr. Canada would place a school in the center of a housing project.

In an interview with the New York Daily News, Beverly Saxby a resident of St. Nicholas Houses expressed her discontent regarding the new school. “I think it’s disgusting. You have all of the vacant areas but you want to cut down the trees, it doesn’t make any sense.” Saxby’s 14th-floor apartment overlooks the construction site, she explained how the noise has become an annoyance. “The noise will drive you up a wall, and you don’t know what’s in that dust,” she said told the New York Daily News.  “It’s going to be a disaster,” she said. “I’m moving to Maryland.”

Canada’s project doesn’t only include a new school; it includes a new street as well. A street will be opened on W. 129th Street between Frederick Douglass Blvd and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd, which will allow traffic to move through the projects. Canada believes that the street will be a concession to the community for the educational support that they will be receiving. “I don’t think it’s critical,” he told the New York Daily News. “I don’t think it will interfere with the quality of life.”

Many residents fear the increased amount of traffic that will run through the community. “Geoffrey Canada is doing outstanding things with kids, but why here?” said Stanley Stevenson a resident of St. Nicholas Houses. “It’s not safe, especially putting a street here.” The addition of a new street isn’t the only safety issue that the project presents. Some fear the idea of putting a school in an area surrounded by violence. Canada believes that the school will decrease violence in the neighborhood. “They all understand that when they come on our premises, this is a no-gang area,” he said. “Kids are going to have to get along.”

Canada released a YouTube video titled “Harlem Children’s Zone’s Bold New Plan” where he explains the need for a learning institution in that particular part of the community and his struggle to get residents on board with the project. “These housing projects are failing all over America,” Canada said in the video. “And if you’re doing what we’re trying to do, change the culture in the community, it’s hard when that community is sealed off.” The school is slated to open by September 2013.

I think it’s amazing what Geoffrey Canada is doing for the Harlem community, but in this case I have to agree with the residents. Having a school in the center of St. Nicholas Houses is not an ideal location. There is a school located across the street from St. Nicholas Houses that also provides programs for residents in the community. Why not choose an area that is in need of an institution like Promise Academy 1. A learning institution in the midst of an area that has crime can be unsafe for children. The addition of a new school in Harlem is beneficial for the community, but I’m sure there were other places that would’ve been suitable locations to house the school. What are your thoughts about Geoffrey Canada’s new project?

Watch Geoffrey Canada’s video “Harlem Children’s Zone’s Bold New Plan”.

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Harlem through the Lens of Photographer Camilo Jose Vergara

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Taking a stroll through Harlem is a completely different experience than it was forty-two years ago. Mom-and-pop stores have been replaced with nationwide chain businesses, walk-up buildings have transformed into luxury condos, and the community has become more diverse. It’s undeniable that gentrification has altered the landscape of the historic neighborhood. A photo exhibit at the New-York Historical Society titled, “Harlem: The People, Harlem: The Place” captures the essence of the changes in Harlem through the lens of Chilean-born photographer Camilo Jose Vergara.

Vergara began taking photos of Harlem in 1970, paying close attention to the neighborhood’s cultural elements. His work serves as a visual representation of the drastic changes in the community. The exhibition appears in two segments. “Harlem: The People” will be on display through the beginning of next month and “Harlem: The Place” will run from mid-June to mid-September.

The photos included in the first part of the exhibit depict church-goers, neighborhood festivals, and murals. The murals that once decorated the buildings in Harlem served as artistic testaments to what occurred in the community. Most of the murals have been replaced by advertisements. “The walls are like the billboards, the blackboards of the community,” said Vergara in an interview with the New York Times. “I think the evolution of those things is really interesting.” Even religious establishments in Harlem have felt the wrath of gentrification. Some of the churches featured in Vergara’s exhibit no longer exist. “If you have a little church, you’re okay if you own it,” he told the New York Times. “But if you’re paying rent and they raise the rent, you close it. But the gentrification of Harlem has been a great opportunity for the big churches.”

The second part of the exhibit titled “Harlem: The Place” portrays the neighborhood’s evolution. In the photos Vergara revisits the same sites that he once captured years ago.  The pictures featured in “Harlem: The Place” illustrates the emergence of a community that has become more commercialized and diverse. “It’d be very contemptuous to say one picture photographed, one moment of something, has the essence of some sort of eternal truth,” Vergara explained. “More pictures have more of that truth. If you get time in your work, you get depth and profundity that a single picture doesn’t have.”

Camilo Jose Vergara’s work is on display at the New-York Historical Society. The exhibit will appear in two cycles: “Harlem: The People” until June 10th and “Harlem: The Place” from June 13th – September 16th.

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Community Leaders Combat Violence in West Harlem

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On April 17th, two men were wounded in a hail of gunfire on 141st and Hamilton Place in Harlem. According to police, the shooting was a result of a dispute between two youth rival crews. Nearly two weeks following that shooting, a woman was struck by a bullet just blocks away on 138th Street and Broadway.  Unfortunately, incidents like these are all too common in Harlem. In effort to combat the unwarranted violence that occurs in the neighborhood, West Harlem community leaders are joining forces with the 30th police precinct to devise a plan that would make the streets safer.

Deputy Inspector Ruel Stephenson developed a strategy that involved getting an outreach program to assist in educating and mentoring the youth in West Harlem. Stephenson contacted Michael Palma and Barbara Nikonorow, the co-leaders of the Montefiore Park Neighborhood Association, to assist with his mission to eliminate violence in the community. “What we heard in Stephenson’s voice was a sense of frustration about there being a lot of talk and no action,” said Palma in an interview with DNA Info. Palma explained how incidents like these are nothing new to the community. “It’s not unusual to hear gunshots go off at night and then hear young people running,” he told DNA Info.

Vice Chair of Community Board 9 Brad Taylor, was disturbed by the news of the incident that occurred on Hamilton Place. It reminded him of an incident that took place on the basketball courts in Morningside Park last summer. “That’s not the first time we’ve heard about these youth crews having grudges against one another,” Taylor told DNA Info. “The activity of the youth crews is very much a concern of everyone. I’ve been worried for months about what is going to happen when the weather warms up.”

Despite the insecurity from the community, Palma is optimistic about the future plans to change the neighborhood. “We decided that we have to do something and come up with some plan or activity to keep our youth occupied during the summer months,” said Palma. He plans to double the size of Montefiore Park so that the park grounds could be utilized for community events. The group of community leaders plans to meet again this week to further discuss their strategies.

I applaud Michael Palma, Barbara Nikonorow and the 30th Precinct for joining forces in efforts to stop the violence in Harlem. Harlem is emerging into a better neighborhood, and eradicating violence is an integral step in its progression. This issue goes far beyond West Harlem. All areas in Harlem are affected by violence of some sort. Instead of focusing on one single neighborhood in Harlem, the efforts should be spread across the entire community. The community leaders should also focus on getting the parents involved as well. The morals that are instilled in our youth are often derived from their households.  Establishing these programs will definitely be a step in the right direction.

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Diddy Discusses G. Dep’s Murder Conviction

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It’s been over three weeks since Harlem rapper Trevell ‘G.Dep’ Coleman was found guilty of second-degree murder. His murder trial left people in the hip-hop industry shocked, including his former boss, Sean “Diddy” Combs. On Wednesday, after leaving a Maybach Music Group press conference, the Bad Boy CEO appeared on Funkmaster Flex’s Hot 97 radio show and shared his thoughts about G.Dep’s guilty verdict.

According to Diddy, who witnessed Dep’s battle with substance abuse, the drugs pulled him out of character. “None of that was in G. Dep’s nature,” he told Flex. “When there were certain things that he was going through with the substance-abuse situation, he would be a different person.” Diddy mentioned that when Dep wasn’t under the influence he was one of the most humble human beings.

After watching the confession tape, Diddy began to question G.Dep’s mental state during the admission. “I was like, OK, maybe he was under the influence when he confessed. And then out of nowhere, they said he was convicted,” he said. He expressed how Dep’s conviction is a huge loss for the music industry. “It’s such a shame, because he’s such a great talent. And it all stemmed from substance abuse.”

G.Dep surrendered to police in December of 2010 and confessed his involvement in a 1993 shooting/attempted robbery while participating in a drug rehabilitation program. The rapper claimed that he was unaware that the victim had died. After his 2010 confession, the rapper changed his story claiming that his confession was related to a different nonfatal shooting. He was convicted of second-degree murder on April 17th, 2012. Dep is currently working on an autobiography in prison. He will be sentenced on May 8th.

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Racial Shift May Affect Democratic Primaries in Harlem

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The changes in Harlem go far beyond the new businesses and luxury condominiums that are being introduced to the community. In recent years, the neighborhood that is often recognized as the capital of black America has seen a significant shift in its racial landscape. In Greater Harlem, which runs from the East River to the Hudson River and from East 96th Street and West 106th Street to West 155th Street, African Americans are no longer a majority of the population. Neighborhoods surrounding that area like the Bronx have become predominately Hispanic. The change in racial demographics of the Harlem community will play an integral role in the upcoming congressional election.

In 1944, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. was elected as a democratic congressional representative of the Twenty-second District in Harlem. During a time where racial segregation was rampant, Congressman Powell used America’s societal state to his advantage. He vowed to be the voice for all African American people. “I will represent the Negro people first,” he said during the campaign in 1944. “I will represent, after that, all the other American people.” He instilled a since of hope within the African American community.

The Harlem congressional seat has only been held by two men, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Representative Charles B. Rangel who unseated Powell in 1970. Both men have played an integral role, not only in the progression of the Harlem community, but the entire African American community. “Their lore was that they spoke for black America, they spoke for Harlem, and they spoke for the Harlems all over this country,” said former New York Governor David Paterson in an interview with the New York Times.

In his bout to keep his congressional seat, Representative Charles B. Rangel can no longer rely on his ability to engage the African Americans; he has to learn how to speak to all residents within his district. The federal court has extended Rangel’s district into the Bronx, a neighborhood where more than half of the population is Hispanic. One of Mr. Rangel’s contenders in the democratic primary is Senator Adriano Espaillat, a native of the Dominican Republic. Senator Espaillat wants to see more Hispanics represented in Congress. “I find that in the district, there’s a great deal of discontent,” Mr. Espaillat said in an interview with the New York Times. “People want a change.”

The votes in the upcoming election could sway either way. Mr. Rangel, whose father was Puerto Rican and mother was black has already gained some support from the Hispanic community. He’s currently serving his 20th term as the representative of the 15th congressional district. Senator Espaillat still has a fighting chance. Many people in the community are ready for change; they believe that Mr. Rangel is too old to hold onto his congressional seat. If Espaillat can echo President Obama’s message of change, and successfully convince voters that it’s time for a new congressman he may be able to take Mr. Rangel’s spot. Mr. Rangel was involved in a major ethics scandal which eventually led to his censure for violations including failure to pay taxes and improper solicitation of fund-raising donations. Senator Espaillat can use Mr. Rangel’s messy past to his advantage.

Politicians shouldn’t use race to garner votes. There are more important issues that should be at the forefront of this election. The person that should get the congressional seat should be the voice for everyone living in the district. What are your thoughts about the election?

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