AmNews Stories
AmNews Stories
Unieke Mode NY revamps for Autumn/Winter 2024 NYFW (3/7/2024)
Models and designers work in harmony at New York Fashion Week (NYFW) assuring the audience fully experiences their aurora and brand. A Black woman walking the runway may be met with discriminatory comments, yet models like Skxttles Wanders bask in the opportunity to shine with their strut. She’s very confident in Black models even when fashion shows aren’t, and said that these forums are “going to have [no] choice but to put us up there [on a runway]; that’s the mentality I keep every day.”
Wanders, real name Averi Higgins, enjoys romanticizing living life on a runway. The 20-year-old shared that when people utter, “Oh, she thinks she’s on a runway or something?” her response is, “Yeah, why don’t you?”
‘Ladies First’ boldly blends crafty mixed media at Industry City gallery (11/30/2023)
Women having space to design freely and be their authentic selves is the force behind “Ladies First,” where craftsmanship blends well with mixed media in a new art exhibit capturing artists in three dimensions. The group art activation made its debut on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at the Tanya Weddemire Gallery in Industry City, Brooklyn. This city within a city is a hub for NYC creatives and entrepreneurs.
“Ladies First” showcases the works of six multidisciplinary women artists from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities, whose works include ceramics, mixed media collages, mixed media on panel, sculptures, and paintings on canvas. It is the gallery’s first time featuring ceramics and sculptures.
The title, “Ladies First,” was adopted in admiration for Queen Latifah and Monie Love’s song of the same title. The featured artists are Anne Bascove, Michela Roman, Katie Kuzin, Tania Whalen, Danielle Scott; and Candice Tavares; the latter two are Black artists.
BK Navy Yard’s community driven ‘Wonderland’ brings out thousands for 6th annual Holiday Market (12/7/2023)
The holiday spirit was present on the historic East River waterfront this past weekend. Brooklyn Navy Yard’s sixth annual Wallabout Wonderland Holiday Market took place on Saturday, Dec. 2 and Sunday, Dec. 3. The community-driven celebration welcomed 200+ vendors in a 100,000-square-foot space, making it the biggest year yet. Although Building 293, where the festivities were held, is far into the yard, Saturday brought out about 4,200 people, while Sunday had about 3,000 people despite the rain.
The Holiday Market’s goal was to spotlight and support small BIPOC and women entrepreneurs, especially Black women-owned businesses. Ethnic diversity was evident in the crowds of attendees, which included Asians, white, Hispanic and Black people. “We are proud to empower our unique Yard-based businesses and bring together a community of vendors […] while welcoming New Yorkers and visitors from across the globe,” said Lindsay Greene, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation. Her team worked hard to ensure the attendees and vendors enjoyed the event while supporting small businesses during the two days.
Fashion sustainability, camaraderie take front seat at Black NYFW (9/21/2023)
New York Fashion Week (NYFW) 2023 brought out creators, designers, stylists, fashion enthusiasts, and more to the city’s events on Thursday, Sept. 6. Black brands were mindful of fashion’s sustainable cost and shared supportive environment spaces during NYFW Fall 2023. Labels such as Vontélle and Áwet New York made their rounds at events for Fashinnovation and RAISEfashion near Chelsea Piers. Tracy Vontélle Green and Áwet Woldegebriel represented their Black brands in welcoming fashion-sustainable spaces.
Fashion sustainability is essential to Vontélle and Áwet New York. During a panel discussion at Fashinnovation, Woldegebrie discussed his perception of designers in the fashion community. “I’m inspired, but also there’s an understanding from all of us that we all know that there is enough sun for us to shine,” he said.
‘KINGDOME’ inspires community traditions beyond basketball (9/14/2023)
Basketball is more than just a sport; it’s a culture uniting Harlem residents. “KINGDOME,” a documentary short by Shawn Antoine II, was recently screened at the Maysles Documentary Center in Harlem. The film vibrantly explores how the Kingdome Classic evolved into a community tradition, while paying homage to those who had a great impact on it.
Kingdome was founded by Terry “Huncho” Cooper in 1984. The tournament takes place in the middle of Martin Luther King Jr. Towers, also known as Foster Projects, and brings together the best young basketball talent and celebrities with the Harlem community. Huncho’s legacy has affected many, including Antoine himself, who was honored when Huncho asked him to produce a documentary on Kingdome’s history.
‘You Are the Myth’ explores African Diasporic spirituality and symbolism (7/27/2023)
Biblical stories, Egyptian mythology, Yoruba Orisha legends, and other narratives with modern African Diasporic themes were present during a recent Artist Talk on Wednesday, July 12. Independent curator and artist Jomani Danielle moderated the talk with Haitian American artist Watson Mere about his solo exhibition, “You Are the Myth,” at ChaShaMa art gallery (227 West 29th Street).
The discussion focused on Mere’s Haitian background and interests during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to his vision of creating captivating compositions. Mere’s paintings translate narratives of the past and dialogues about the present and the future, according to the exhibit’s description of the show.
Uptown Triennial captivates spectators in an artistic, sonic world (7/20/2023)
Visual arts and sounds make for a perfect match with Uptown Triennial 2023’s summer debut. This artistic tribute to the sonic world opened on June 23 at Columbia University’s Lenfest Center for the Arts, where the exhibit explores dimensions of music, soundscapes, and spoken word honoring Harlem. Director and Chief Curator Betti-Sue Hertz aimed to create an exchange of ideas that transcend any concept of what is possible when visual artists account for the significance of the sonic sphere, according to their site.
Underrepresented Black communities propel the exhibit’s audience to learn essential knowledge enriching Harlem’s artistic impact. Multidisciplinary artist and curator Dianne Smith’s collaborative standout piece with Carl Hancock Rux is sure to teach. “Amin Shelah” is a three-channel video installation with a Jerusalem-inspired prayer wall made from brown butcher paper, where visitors are encouraged to leave behind written prayers and good thoughts.
S’Aimer introduces Caribbean French luxury to Restaurant Row (7/6/2023)
Good laughs and fine dining were in short supply while the French established colonies in the Caribbean centuries prior. The tragedy became a lifestyle and culture for descendants now celebrating centuries later. Jasmine’s Caribbean Cuisine owner Jasmine Gerald opened a new French restaurant and lounge named S’Aimer––which translates to “love each other” in French––during Juneteenth weekend. This upscale eatery is the second Black-owned business on Restaurant Row, with Jasmine’s Caribbean restaurant being the first. The new venture is an upscale lounge without hookahs for smoking, and floral decor.
The lounge plays R&B music and non-invasive 2000s-era hip hop music. There is a special spot behind curtains where lovers can have a private moment. The lounge’s outside space, referred to as “the Garden,” is covered by tents, providing a relaxing experience for clientele. “We’re creating more of a Caribbean French space, along with the American vibes,” said head manager Danno Luke.
Harlem Haberdashery x Vontélle create fashion harmony through stylish eyewear (7/6/2023)
Juneteenth weekend proved to be a perfect fashion match made in Harlem. Harlem Haberdashery and Vontélle Eyewear launched their collaborative frames during the Black holiday weekend online and at their 245 Malcom X Blvd. boutique. The two brands, who met at a Chase Entrepreneurship Program, complement each other well in sophisticated fashion, making this collaboration exist with ease. Their meeting was destined, as Harlem Haberdashery was looking into selling eyewear with a Black brand right after Vontélle became established.
A Black eyewear creator was needed for some Black folks and others whose faces didn’t fit European brands. According to Sharene Woods, president and CEO of Harlem Haberdashery, Juneteenth weekend seemed to be the best time to start this alliance in support of collective Black economics. “I always said that collaborating with like-minded, like-hearted entrepreneurs is what I wanted to do,” said Woods.
Vegan Night takes over Tuesdays in Central Park (6/15/2023)
As veganism remains an attractive choice for those leaning toward healthier food options, the Vegan Night Market is one of the newest vegan weekly series. It debuted in Wollman Rink at Central Park on Tuesday, June 6. This plant-based market promises customers will “enjoy the best plant-based cuisine” every Tuesday night at 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. from now until early October.
The Masc Hospitality Group (MHG), which creates cuisine and culture experiences for the community, is the producer and promoter of the Bronx Night Market, Uptown Night Market, Brooklyn Night Market, and now Vegan Night Market.
Marco Shalma, founder and owner of MGH, said events like this make NYC communities feel connected and help them grow. The first Vegan Night Market welcomed 20 vendors who Shalma envisioned being in Central Park on an early weekday instead of the weekend. “I like a Tuesday because unlike my competition, I trust my marketing team to be able to do what they need to do [for a weekday market],” he said.
Natural ‘CROWN’s are more than just an act (5/18/2023)
The celebration of Black hair and excellence was at full strength at the movie premiere of “CROWN” on Friday, May 12, where the coming-of-age story debuted at the Betty Carter Auditorium in the Major Owens Community Center in Brooklyn. The 20-minute film, written and directed by Karisma Jay and Love “Nofisat” Nafi, follows an aspiring teen ballet dancer dealing with the challenges of taming her natural hair into “submission” during a very important audition.
“CROWN,” produced by film company Creative Susu, was inspired by the CROWN Act: “Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.” According to the official website, the CROWN Act was created in 2019 by Dove and the CROWN Coalition to ensure protection against discrimination based on race-based hairstyles. The act extends statutory protection to hair texture and styles such as braids, locs, and twists in the workplace and public schools.
Solidarity of Sisterhood shines through entrepreneurship in Harlem (3/28/2023)
Champagne and skin care may seem like an unusual combination for business sponsorship, yet Dardra Coaxum and Aisha Darboe’s pairing goes beyond products. Women’s solidarity was the bigger goal for both businesses at a Saturday, Mar. 11, brunch celebrating Honey Botanics; HRLM Champagne was the main refreshment served. Dardra Coaxum, co-owner of HRLM Champagne, said this partnership with the skin care line implements the practice of women building with one another.
“It was awesome to see Aisha shine,” said Coaxum. “Also, it was awesome to see how much support she got, and her products are amazing!”
Harlem Fine Arts Show expands into new home (3/2/2023)
Dion Clarke, founder of the Harlem Fine Arts Show, loved the benefits of the new location. “This is bringing diversity into New York City, bringing uptown to downtown,” Clarke said. He emphasized the importance of the world experiencing African Diasporic art beyond Harlem. “It’s a great way to impact cultural nutrition and cultural understanding, and to show the great way our artists actually relate to the world.”
Clarke said the art show outgrew its roots in Harlem and was ready for a new journey. “I love every imprint that we left in Harlem, but I’m loving the imprint we’re establishing in New York City,” he said.