Harlem: Precious Memories... Great Expectations

"Commissioned by Harlem Commonwealth Council, Inc. one of the neighborhood’s most productive economic development corporations, this book presents compelling vignettes from Harlemites who were born here or raised here, or received their early education here, or worked here , or lived here or have lived here, or have raised their children here or all of the above.

They share their precious memories of and great expectations for Harlem. In a real, positive sense they are Harlem’s “homeboys” and “homegirls.” However, make no mistakes about it, Harlem, with all its complexities, is the star of this book. It is well known that every star shine brighter when fortified by a stellar supporting cast. The Harlemites speaking here are just that.

Each member of the “supporting cast” responded to seven core questions intended to elicit their precious memories and great expectations. The questions asked were, among other things, how these individuals would invest in Harlem, if they could, to ensure Harlem’s future, and what do these folks imagine Harlem in the year 2025.

Their precious memories graphically illuminate why Harlem is Harlem, and their great expectations show why it will remain so, if they have anything to say about it."

 - A. Peter Bailey

Excerpts from Harlem Notables

“Harlem...is a language, a rhythm, a symphony, and a state of mind. Harlem is a heart thing."
- Ruby Dee

"Where else but Harlem could a dude from Georgia meet such a brilliant array of wise, knowledgeable, talented, active and provocative role models?”
- Ossie Davis

"J. Raymond Jones was a dominant politician aptly called The Fox who, when I was 49 years old, told me I was too young to be a leader - that’s how dominant he and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. were in Harlem politics."
- Percy Sutton

“I’ll never forget the Sunday after the September 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center. Don King came into the restaurant, looked around and told me to give him everybody’s check”.
- Sylvia Woods

“Harlem is a gorgeous mosaic of people from places like Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, the Caribbean, Puerto Rico. An inability to pull all these people together is a weakness that prevents us from maximizing our potential”.
- David N. Dinkins