We didn’t even know we were in the running but we are ecstatic to be considered one of the 25 best NYC neighborhood blogs of 2016. This is an incredible honor and a testament to the sweat equity we put in on a daily basis spreading that Uptown Love. Thanks to Virginia K. Smith and Brick Underground for this awesome accolade. We appreciate it and will continue to fervently preach the Uptown gospel. I like to say that we don’t cover the hood – we are the hood. It is super encouraging to see that dedication bearing fruit. Much love to all the other blogs that made the list and are fighting the good fight. On Tuesday, June 21st The People’s Theatre Project (PTP) will be honoring Pulitzer Prize winning author Junot Díaz and Director of Community Pediatrics at the Columbia University Medical Center Dr. Dodi Meyer at the venerable United Palace. This special night will be all about celebrating the arts in our community. Since 2009 the PTP has been making theatre with its neighbors by collaborating with schools, organizations, and community members. Junot took some time to talk to us about the work of the PTP, racism, immigration, activism and the Trump phenomenon. Please go to our site to read the eye-opening Q&A and purchase your tickets pronto. The UC has teamed up with the good folks at Bien Conectao to bring you the Rep Ya Block Photo Contest. Let your best photo capturing the essence of Uptown come to life as a domino table/work of art. Use the Hashtag #RepYaBlockContest on social media to be entered into the contest. The winner will have their winning photo turned in to a Playable Art Domino table, which will be featured in an interactive mobile gallery that will be touring NYC all summer. The 2016 Uptown Arts Stroll kick-off is taking place on Wednesday, June 1st 2016 at the Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art and Storytelling. This year’s honorees are Wilhelmina Obatola Grant, Felipe Galindo, Ellen Baxter and Carol Ward. The program will be emceed by Carol Jenkins, Emmy Award-winning TV anchor and journalist, and host of Black America and will feature a plethora of performances from Uptown’s talented artistic community. And get this. The special guest of the evening will be none other than Tony Award spoken word poet and actor, Lemon Andersen. Madina Papadopoulos of the Village Voice penned an excellent piece on Harlem’s restaurant Renaissance. Superstar Chef Marcus Samuelsson seems to be everywhere. He recently took Jay Rayner of The Guardian for a stroll through Harlem as he prepares to open a Red Rooster in London. Abigail Savitch-Lew of City Limits wrote an exhaustive article on Inwood’s aging infrastructure and the plans to reshape Inwood. Created by someone who has seen Love & Hip Hop, check out the first episode of LOVE & BACHATA. Keep checking us out at www.uptowncollective.com. Led Black Editor-in-Chief The Uptown Collective The UC’s mission is to become “the” definitive, transformative and community-based force impacting the arts, culture, business and New York City’s overall perception of Upper Manhattan. Its objective is to reset, reboot and positively redefine Uptown’s artistic, political, cultural and business spheres via the online space as well the collective’s initiatives and functions.May 16th – May 21st
