Flea Marqueta to Open in East Harlem

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La Marqueta-400Words by Brandee Sanders

East Harlem is in the midst of rebirth. With the establishment of new businesses and the revitalization of old ones, the community’s landscape is vastly changing. In order to preserve the neighborhood’s rich and vibrant culture, planners are looking to revamp and reintroduce neighborhood staples. One of the latest projects slated to open later this week is Flea Marqueta, a flea market that will be housed inside of the historic La Marqueta food market.

Established in 1936, La Marqueta served as a marketplace under the elevated Metro North train tracks spanning between 111th Street and 116th Street on Park Avenue. It was a place for vendors and merchants to sell and trade their goods. At its peak during the 50’s and 60’s over 500 vendors occupied the market and it emerged into one of the most popular locations in Harlem. Throughout the years the amount of vendors began to decrease. As of 2008 only four vendors were left.

Dimitri Gatanas, the founder of East Harlem’s Urban Garden Center had a vision to revive what once gave the neighborhood life.  He launched the Flea Marqueta project which will feature spaces for dozens of East Harlem vendors. So far there are 10 vendors on board. “A lot of people do not know that La Marqueta still exists,” G.Q. Echeguren, the general manager of La Marqueta told the New York Daily News. “We need something like this to help get the community back together to build up La Marqueta.”

For Gatanas bringing this project to fruition was personal. “My family used La Marqueta for all their shopping. They could buy veggies, meat, fish, clothes, and other goods there,” he told the New York Daily News. “It was the Costco of the neighborhood.” Flea Marqueta is slated to open on June 23rd with vendors selling everything from jewelry to vegan cookies. “East Harlem, Harlem, and the upper East Side have nothing like this,” said Gatanas. “It’s a great opportunity to get our eclectic mix of food, clothing, and art all under the same roof.”

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East Harlem Assemblyman Arrested for DWI

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RJR-400Words by Brandee Sanders

Every now and then a new political scandal hits the headlines. Whether it concerns drugs, sex or lies, each situation makes us question the authority of the person involved. The latest political scandal involves East Harlem State Assemblyman Robert J. Rodriguez.

Rodriguez was arrested last week on a DWI charge. According to court records the Assemblyman was pulled over by Colonie police after they discovered him swerving following his departure from a downtown Albany bar. He apparently was on his way back to his hotel. After being pulled over Assemblyman Rodriguez declined taking a breathalyzer test, stating that he preferred to talk to his lawyer before it was conducted.

“It’s something I’d like to put behind me as quickly as possible,” he told the New York Daily News. “I regret any embarrassment this may have caused to my constituents.”

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Harlemite Teyana Taylor Previews New Sneakers

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Teyana Taylor Sneakers-400Words by Brandee Sanders

Fresh off her success from her first sneaker launch earlier this year, Harlemite Teyana Taylor is gearing up to introduce the second prototype in her Adidas Originals Harlem GLC collection. Last week the G.O.O.D Music artist took to Instagram to give us all a sneak peek of her new creation.

The kicks, which have been dubbed the Harlem GLC “Black Out” sneakers, are slated to be released on November 29th, 2013. Her first collaboration with the Adidas brand was a triumph for Taylor; her Harlem GLC sneaker became the fastest selling sneaker in Adidas Originals history.

What are your thoughts about Taylor’s new sneaker? Will you be copping a pair?

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New Charter School Opens at St. Nicholas Houses in Harlem

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HCZ-400Words by Brandee Sanders

When the plan to build a five-story charter school in the center of St. Nicholas Houses in Harlem was discussed last year, many community residents were opposed to the idea. Although some believed that the learning institution would promote a greater sense of community, others thought that it wasn’t safe to place a school within a housing project. Despite the opposition from St. Nicholas Houses residents, Geoffrey Canada, CEO and founder of the Harlem Children’s Zone officially opened the doors to the $100 million dollar facility at a ribbon cutting ceremony last week.

The building will comprise of the Promise Academy 1 charter school and a community center. The school, which will be open to students from Kindergarten through the 12th grade, will provide other services for their students including free breakfast and lunch as well as medical and dental care. “We want to make sure children of the community and this neighborhood have access to quality education,” Canada told the New York Daily News. “We want to get the most disadvantaged kids and give them a shot.”

Although Canada has high hopes for his new project, several community residents don’t share his vision. When Canada presented the project, he explained that the new facility would be accessible to people living within the community. Many residents were surprised to find out that only 100 spots for the school year were reserved for kids living in the St. Nicholas Houses. “We thought it was going to be a school for kids from St. Nicholas, but it’s not. It’s for kids from all over,” L. Graham, a 22-year resident of the housing development, told the New York Daily News. “They already have most of the students for the school, and they’re not from here.”

Even though Canada has received a lack of support for community residents, Mayor Bloomberg has backed his educational venture. “I get a smile on my face when I think of the impact this project will have on this generation and the generations to come,” said Mayor Bloomberg.

The Promise Academy charter school will be open to students on July 8th.

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East Harlem Entrepreneur Honored by the White House

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Anaya Cerda-400Words by Brandee Sanders

Those who are passionate about their dreams will do everything necessary to see their vision come to fruition. Launching your own business is a tedious venture, but the end result is rewarding. The hard work that East Harlem-based business owner Aurora Anaya-Cerda put into her bookstore La Casa Azul did not go unseen; her entrepreneurial efforts has been recognized by the White House. 

La Casa Azul was launched via internet in 2008 as an online store that sold Latino-themed literature. Anaya-Cerda wanted to open a location to go along with the website but she faced a few financial setbacks. Inspired to open the store, she started a fundraising campaign on Indiegogo and raised $80,000.

The White House has honored Anaya-Cerda for her use of crownfunding, an internet-based solution for garnering financial support from donors. According to Thomas Kalil of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy the entrepreneurial tactic is the “21st Century equivalent of barn-raising.”

“Bookstores are still relevant in the internet age,” Anaya-Cerda told the New York Daily News, “but we have to adapt. We need the continued support of the community. We feel that we’ve become a third place. A place where you would go to hang out.”

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Bill Thompson Garners Endorsements in Harlem

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Bill Thompson-400Words by Brandee Sanders

The 2013 New York City mayoral race is nothing short of competitive. With a lineup of politically seasoned hopefuls, whose support is pretty much evenly split across the board, the competitors are putting forth their best effort to stand apart from those in the race. At a news conference held in Harlem last week, former NYC Comptroller Bill Thompson garnered the support of former mayor David Dinkins and Congressman Charles Rangel.

One of the aspects of Thompson’s campaign that drew support from both of the African American political leaders was his position on the controversial stop-and-frisk policy. Thompson believes that the policy is imperative for getting weapons off of the streets but also thinks that it shouldn’t be used as an avenue for racial profiling.

“Do you want people carrying guns in your community illegally that could do bodily harm? The answer is: Hell, no!” Rep. Rangel said during the news conference. “Do you want New York City policemen to respect and to follow their oath of duty . . . to our community as they would in other communities? You damn right.” Former mayor Dinkins agreed with Rangel. “Clearly, it is a good thing if we can get weapons off the street,” said Dinkins.

With Rep. Rangel and former mayor Dinkins in his corner, Thompson hopes that he will be able to gain support from minority voters. The 2013 New York City mayoral election is scheduled to occur on November 5th, 2013.

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Harlem Woman Files Lawsuit Against MAC Cosmetics

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Rihanna-400

With the rising costs of quality makeup, testing products to see if you’re really getting your money’s worth seems smart. Swinging by a cosmetics counter and sampling a dab of lipstick or a new bronzer seems harmless right? Think again. After sampling one of the latest beauty raves, Rihanna’s RiRi Woo, Harlemite Starkeema Greenidge contracted herpes.

Greenidge, 28, claims that while attending the songstresses Diamonds World Tour concert at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, she was approached by a MAC Cosmetics representative who instructed her to apply a used tube of RiRi Woo to her lips. Shortly after applying the lipstick, the concert-goer said that her lip became “irritated and hugely swollen.” When the irritation and swelling continued, she visited her doctor and was diagnosed with herpes. “I wasn’t able to work for two weeks. It cost me a lot of money,” she told the New York Daily News.

Greenidge has filed a lawsuit against the beauty brand in hopes that they will be more sanitary with their products in the future. She expressed that her issue is with MAC, not Rihanna. Neither the beauty brand nor Rihanna’s reps have responded to Greenidge’s allegations.

The “Stay” singer teamed up with M.A.C in February to launch the RiRi (Hearts) line.

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Letter from the Editor: June 2013

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Summer-Heat1-200“Every summer has a story.” ―Unknown

Dear Readers,

Happy June! Can you believe summer is right around the corner? It seems as if this year has been flying by. Although for many of us the next few months will be all about hitting the beach, attending cookouts, and having an excuse to eat massive amounts of frozen yogurt (guilty!), the summer season holds so much more. Summer is symbolic to growth and maturation. We can allow ourselves to grow and mature through the experiences that we create in the approaching season.

We’ve all had that conversation in late August or early September where someone asks “How was your summer?” When presented with this question, some of us share stories about how we got the opportunity to travel to new places and learn new things, and then there are the others who sulk their heads and reply “Ehh I didn’t really do much.”

We often associate summer with the time to relax and release all of the stress from the winter and spring, and although it’s a good idea to do so we should also make time to get out, travel to new places, and try new things. It’s essential for us to never become stagnant in all arenas of our lives whether it be professionally or personally. The effort that you put towards personal growth and maturation will enrich all areas of your life.

This month I’m encouraging all of my readers to join me in creating a memorable summer. Pull out the paper and notepad and make a list of new things that you want to try and experience this summer and go for it! When the “how was your summer?” conversation rolls around again, what will you be saying? See you uptown!

XOXO,

B

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Double Take: Jay-Z Look-Alike Spotted in 1939 Harlem Photo

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Jay-Z Harlem-400

Words by Brandee Sanders

When it was revealed that Brooklyn-bred rapper Jay-Z would executive produce the soundtrack for “The Great Gatsby”, the news came as a surprise. Anyone who is familiar with the work of movie director Baz Luhrmann knows that he prefers to use modern music to compliment his films; but many wondered what inspired Mr. Carter to take on the project. Could it be because he was around during the era of the story? Anyone in their right mind knows that this couldn’t be possible, but a 1939 picture of a man that bears an uncanny resemblance to Jay-Z has many time traveler theorists raising their eyebrows.

The black and white photo, which was discovered by the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, features a young man sitting on a gate in Harlem circa 1939. The man in the unretouched image not only resembles Jay-Z, but has a style similar to the hip-hop mogul. “We’re 100 percent certain it’s legitimate,” Adenike Olanrewaju, a library spokeswoman, told the New York Times.

Jay-ZHarlem2-400

This isn’t the first time a celeb look-alike has been spotted in an old photo. A 1860 portrait of a man who looked like John Travolta had conspiracy theorists accusing him of Scientology-related reincarnation. Two years ago a photo of a 1857 prisoner that looked like Mark Wahlberg circulated around the internet.

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Mover & Shaker of the Month: Oasis Jimma Juice Bar’s Adbulsalam Abajebel

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Oasis Jimma-400When taking a stroll through West Harlem, you may notice the lack of convenient access to affordable and healthy food options. Although the community is plagued by health problems that include obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure, there aren’t many establishments to aide in counteracting these issues.

Inspired by the absence of healthy alternatives and the needs of the community, entrepreneur Adbulsalam Abajebel opened up Oasis Jimma Juice Bar. Meet Me Uptown caught up with Abajebel to chat about what inspired him to open his business, the ever-changing landscape of the Harlem community, and benefits of the various juices and smoothies that he provides.

Meet Me Uptown: Where are you originally from? When did you move to the U.S.?

Adbulsalam Abajebel: I’m originally from East Africa. I’m from East Ethiopia. I came to the U.S. in 2004.

Meet Me Uptown: How has your culture had an influence on your business?

Adbulsalam Abajebel: The Ethiopian culture is very multi-cultural. When it comes to the culture’s cuisine we have a variety of different recipes, many of which have been passed down from generation to generation. I want to keep those recipes and traditions alive through my business. We use a lot of fruits and vegetables and a lot of raw ingredients.

MMU: What inspired you to open your juice bar?

AA: I’ve always dreamt of having my own business. I’ve been living in Harlem for a while, and I’ve noticed that in my neighborhood there aren’t really any healthy options. There are a lot of fast food restaurants in the area, but there is a lack of healthy eateries. There are a lot of health problems that are prevalent in my neighborhood, like diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and other issues. I wanted to help the community through opening my business.

MMU: What impact do you think your business has on the community?

AA: This is the only fresh and organic juice bar in the neighborhood. Being the only establishment that provides healthy alternatives in the community speaks volumes to the impact that we are having in West Harlem. Every day we have community residents that stop by to learn more about the products that we serve and how they can work towards living a healthier lifestyle through what we offer.

MMU: What do you find most challenging about running a business?

AA: The most challenging thing about running my business is the fact that we are a very small establishment. We just opened our doors last November and we get a lot of our customers through word of mouth or people passing by. Right now we’re focused on expanding our reach.

MMU: Harlem has experienced an influx of chain businesses, how do you think that has changed the landscape of the neighborhood?

AA: I think the addition of these large chain businesses isn’t helpful for the community. Many corporate companies only think about what benefits them, they don’t really take they community into consideration. It’s sad when small businesses that have been well received by the community are pushed out.

MMU: Summer is right around the corner and a lot of people are starting to get their summer bodies ready. What are three drinks on your menu that you would recommend for weight loss?

AA: We have three different categories on our menu; we have regular juices, smoothies, and our health juice pharmacy. The drinks that are a part of our health juice pharmacy pertain to specific needs. There are drinks for hydration, weight loss, muscle gain and many other things.

MMU: What advice would you give to an inspiring restaurateur?

AA: I would encourage them to really focus on building their community outreach once they have established their business. It’s not only about making profit; it’s about building relationships and providing the community with what they need.

On Sunday, May 12th, swing by Oasis Jimma Juice Bar at 3163 Broadway for a free juice sampling event. The event, which will be held from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM, will feature nutritionists that will share the benefits of the smoothies and juices featured on the Oasis Jimma Juice Bar menu.

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