Focus

EVENTS Emerge! Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Fashion Show in Virtual Harmony

By Audrey J. Bernard

New York Fashion Week’s fall/summer collections are held in February during Black History Month and the Emerge! Fashion Virtual Runway Show, which was celebrating a decade of delivering fashions from top Black and African designers, was one of the first to sashay down the “Reimagined” virtual runway with a beautiful display of designs created by Black designers from the United States, London & Africa!

The Emerge! 10th Anniversary fashion extravaganza was hosted by Claire Sulmers of Fashion Bomb Daily, with special guest presenters Andre’ Leon Talley (former Vogue contributor), and Fern Mallis (creator of New York Fashion Week).

Emerge! 10th Anniversary designers unveiling their newest designs via creative vignettes included Terri Stevens of Funkinbeautiful Designs (Chicago), Scalo Designs (Johannesburg), Jesu’ Segun London, Orla Couture (Lagos, Nigeria), Haus of L.A. (Los Angeles, Chicago).

The virtual event also featured congratulatory remarks from fashion & style notables, an excellent performance by Yanna Cello, a nostalgic look back over the 10 year history of Emerge!, and special clips from Emerge! In addition, EMERGE! Design Talk, which covered today’s fashion challenges, featured London-based designer Ozwald Boateng, urban street wear designer Karl Kani & iconic model Pat Cleveland.

Each year the Fashion Innovator Award is presented to a fashion leader, visionary, and innovator who has paved the way for other artists in the industry and who has made a huge impact in the fashion industry. Fashion Bomb Daily’s Claire Sulmers presented the coveted award to celebrity stylist & “image architect” Law Roach for his impact

Dionne Williams, Terry Stevens Funkinbeautiful Designs

in shaping the global fashion industry. “Stylist and Image Architect, Law Roach, undeniably transforms celebrities into fashion icons and I am grateful to him for accepting this award,” stated Sulmers.

“I am so excited about the anniversary show,” says Dionne Williams, creator and producer of Emerge! Fashion Show. “When I created Emerge 10 years ago my purpose was to highlight the creativity and art that designers create for the runway. I am always at awe at the talent and gifts that designers bring to light.”

Sponsors for the show included AMBI Skincare, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, LAMIK Cosmetics & ORS Haircare and GFNTY. The virtual event streamed on GFNTV. com and on www.Emergerunwaynyc.com. GFNTV is a premiere online video network, which also streams live on various platforms including ROKU & Apple TV. (Photos courtesy Emerge!)

About Emerge! Brands

EMERGE! A Fashion Runway Show, EMERGE! Design Talk, and the Fashion Innovator Award are all brands of, or are created and produced by Dionne Williams of D. Williams Public Relations Group. These have become among the top emerging designer platforms during New York Fashion Week, and have been consistent in providing national outlets for emerging designers to showcase their work. Hundreds of designer submis-

Jesu'Segun

sions are reviewed by an elite designer committee, which selects some of the top designers from around the world to be featured and/or honored.

HARLEM COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

For Warm Shopping, Check out Bronx Sobro Social Market

By Howard Giske

Sobro Social is having an indoor market every Saturday afternoon from 1 pm to 6 pm. They are an event and party venue located at 221-229 Bruckner Boulevard by East 138th Street in the Bronx and only steps from the #6 train Cypress Avenue stop. Please contact the individual merchants if they will be there on the day you are going. I liked the vibe, with the not too overwhelming DJ music, and a crowd that was big enough but not beyond safe distance in this time of the COVID-19 epidemic. As the cold weather continues, and with music, food, and nice things to buy, this can be a great place to visit on a Saturday afternoon. Here is a list of the merchants that were there:

Shirley’s Coquito, has a mother and son team, Shirley and Tristan, selling a variety of flavors of Coquito, the rum and flavors drink that is enjoyed for Christmas by Puerto Ricans and many others. Flavors include traditional, pistachio, and salted caramel, plus a vegan one. They will be at Sobro Social again on March 13 and 20. For more information see www. shirleyscoquito.com. By the door and for some solid meals, Divine Dining had some nice chicken and vegetables and other types of plates, to keep all the hungry people at the Social Sobro market happy. For more information on this business call 718-682-8611.

BussafitsBrand LLC, website www.Bussafitsbrand.com has a variety of high quality sweatpants and sweatshirts from the owner, Kashon Jones. See their Instagram @bfbgiveback. They have a non-profit foundation and donate clothes to people all over the Caribbean. Also, for glasses, Nelis’ Shadies- is a cute pop up merchant selling sunglasses. If you are looking for sunglasses or “shades” to impress, this is the place to go. Instagram: @nelisshadies

Stayhomecandles.com or on Instagram: @stayhomecandles_ NYC and also listed as a Garifuna business is keeping with the stay at home and the keeping safe idea. Delicious smelling candles include lavender, cinnamon honey and white sage & lavender. Also interesting on their website is a group of coquito smelling candles. Another business that features candles, oils, fragrances, reed diffusers, and scents is Scented By Steph, Instagram: @scentedbysteph and www. scentedbysteph. They have an innovative mix of products including rose petal satchels, and ice cream flavored scented candles.

Revel in Royalty has a collection of jewelry on display that you can see at Instagram: @revelinroyaltyllc or www.revelinroyalty.com from owner Cashmere J. Their mission is to provide goods such as books, garments and accessories that spark motivation for greatness by ensuring that they represent your personal goals and values. Cashmere J promises that “people will recognize their special qualities and use them for the improvement of themselves and those around them.” See costume

jewelry necklaces, etc for $10-30.

Xviii Customs is a customizing business where you can actually design your own clothing. They say to “send the photos of what you want and they will be shipped or sent right to you, DM me” at Instagram: @xviiicustoms Products include t-shirts, hats, masks, sweatshirts and sweatpants, and even baby onesies. More info on Bronx Social on Facebook @SobroSocial

Black Bodega Opens in the Bronx

By Howard Giske

Black Bodega is a Deli / Convenience Store that had its opening celebration on Saturday February 20th. It is dedicated to serving the Bronx community. They are devoted to offering the highest-quality products at affordable prices. The location, 231 East 167th Street, Bronx, NY, is in the busy neighborhood just blocks from Yankee Stadium and the Bronx Museum of the Arts. For more information on Black Bodega, see www. blackbodega.net or call 347-2977696.

One theme of the opening is that they are preparing to help residents in the area hit hard by the Covid-19 epidemic. The co-owners are Lenny “Alize” Jones, Robert “Broadway” Forbes, and Rusheed “Portiay” Nash. They hope to have turkey giveaways, jobs for the community, and generally be a friendly, family-owned business. Basic products include groceries, deli, and a grill for take out sandwiches and other meals. A striking part of the opening were the specially designed sweatshirts with a sort of a fierce black panther, but that on second glance was adopting a somewhat welcoming pose. The matriarch of the family informed me that everyone in the family used their talents to promote the place. It can be said that their publicity effort was fantastic.

Along with the three families involved there was a special visit by rapper Peter Gunz who decided to stop by for lunch. He liked seeing a black-owned bodega, being born and raised in the Bronx. This was being a role model in his opinion, and that was hard to see when he grew up. Most of the small groceries, or “bodegas” were owned by Hispanics. So he was pretty excited about it. Peter Gunz had a typical sandwich, turkey, chopped cheese and lettuce and tomatoes. He hoped that many other black-owned businesses can open. Hopefully, if social distance is practiced and there are more vaccinations, the epidemic will soon go away, and people can continue to show their creative talents.

Even though it was a pretty cold day, it was exciting how many people showed up to wish Black Bodega the best. It definitely is a bustling neighborhood, located only a few steps from the D train going down the Grand Concourse. The whole area is guaranteed to become a busy commercial center with new construction too. Already East 161st Street has the Bronx Courthouse, and the Bronx Museum being a favorite hangout around the corner on the Grand Concourse would make the Black Bodega a natural place to stop for a sandwich after enjoying an exhibition of fine arts at the Museum.

The opening drew a pretty big crowd, and also coverage from Bronx News 12 and the Amsterdam News. New York City Mayoral candidate Ray McGuire came to wish well to the new black-owned business. Thanks to food-conscious consumers and amazing vendors, with whom they are building special relationships, Black Bodega is fast going to a popular convenience store. They look forward to serving the Bronx and beyond for years to come.

AUDREY’S SOCIETY WHIRL

The New York Urban League Centennial Celebration will be virtual elegance

By Audrey J. Bernard

The New York Urban League (NYUL) is One Hundred Years old! As one of the oldest civil rights organizations in the nation, the flagship affiliate of the National Urban League continues to challenge existing inequities of our society and the League’s work in the areas of economic development, education, and advocacy have impacted generations of underserved New Yorkers. Through direct service delivery, advocacy, referrals, community capacity building, information dissemination and technical assistance, the League accomplishes its mission to help people face and overcome barriers to full participation in American society.

Founded in 1919 to provide opportunities for Blacks migrating from the rural south to New York City, NYUL has helped workers and families gain access to jobs, schools, and opportunity. In addition, the organization has opened the ranks of many industries to Black workers and helped thousands of African American students become first generation college students.

Now 100 years later the League will celebrate its Centennial and the 55th Annual Frederick Douglass Awards Dinner Gala – virtually – filled with pomp and purpose! This year’s Centennial Celebration will take place Tuesday, March 16, 2021, and will be virtual elegance at its best! The gala will kick off with a reception at 6:00 pm, followed by the program at 6:30pm, and end with a celebratory after party with music by MC Lyte. The gala will raise funds to support new and expanded programming and community services to further the League’s mission and fund Whitney M. Young, Jr. Scholarships.

“During our celebration, we acknowledge esteemed honorees that have a steadfast commitment, dedication, and influence that have led the charge for advancing the rights of generations of underserved African Americans and salute their seminal work elevating communities, expressed Arva R. Rice, President and CEO, New York Urban League. “The Centennial Gala is a signature moment in the centennial celebration. The Gala will raise funds to support new and expanded programming and community services to further the League’s mission.”

The 2021 awards recipients include: Legendary sportsman Hank Aaron, Posthumous (Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, Civil Rights Advocate); Michael Dowling (President and CEO, Northwell); Raymond J. McGuire (former Vice

Hank Aaron Michael Dowling Crystal McCrary

Chairman, Citigroup, running for Mayor of New York City); and Daniel Schulman (President and CEO, PayPal) will receive NYUL’s most coveted honor – the Frederick Douglass Award. Film producer and social justice advocate Crystal McCrary will receive the Ann Kheel award, named for the civic leader and founder of the Frederick Douglass Awards.

The Centennial Gala will be co-hosted by Deborah Roberts, Senior National Affairs Correspondent, ABC and Al Roker, Weather and Feature Anchor, TODAY and Co-Host of Third Hour, TODAY. The gala will feature the popular Text-to Pledge hosted by Chuck Nice. Comedian Special Performances and Remarks will be provided by Keyon Harrold, Celebrated Jazz Artist, Spike Lee, Film Director, and The Hon. Andrew Young, Politician, Diplomat, and Activist. For more information please call event producer Dwight Johnson of Dwight Johnson Design at 212/889-4694.

Vernon E. Jordan, Jr. is Honorary Chair of the Centennial Celebration Gala and is joined by Honorary Committee members: Billye Suber Aaron l, Harry Belafonte, The Hon. Bill Bradley, Naomi Campbell, The late Hon. David N. Dinkins, Bethann Hardison, Iman, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Tonya Lewis Lee, Spike Lee, Hal Steinbrenner, Deborah Willis, David Winfield, Cole Anthony and Ella Anthony.

“The 55th Annual Frederick Douglass Awards Dinner Gala will enable us to commemorate our Centennial while acknowledging an esteemed roster of honorees who have a steadfast commitment and dedication to influence change and by advancing the rights of generations of African Americans. We salute their seminal work in empowering communities and changing lives,” said Ward Corbett, Board Chair, New York Urban League.

Members of the Board of Directors include: Ward Corbett, Chairman; Chadwick Roberson, Treasurer; Anwar Ismael, Secretary; Arva R. Rice, Bill Washington, Maja Hazell, Amal Alibair, Lloyd Chinn, Andrea Donkor, Douglas F. Eisenberg, Malcolm Ellis, Bryant Fields, Andrew Hall, Eric Lerner,

Raymond McGuire Daniel Schulman

Eu’nice McCoy, Barrington Rutherford, Helen C. Shelton, Darryl C. Towns, Teresa Wells. The Advisory Council includes the late Hon. David N. Dinkins, Bruce Gordon, Hon. H. Carl McCall, Raymond McGuire, and Victoria Rowell.

Gala sponsorships aid NYUL’s COVID-19 and educational response efforts, provide resources and virtual programming to those affected by COVID-19 and support the League’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund, which offers grants to students and families in the organization’s employment and youth services and other much-needed programs. In addition, the League is launching a Small Business Center to support African American business owners hit by the epidemic and creating a Diversity Lab to help corporations better show and serve the communities in which they do business.

“As our City and nation rise to the challenges of COVID-19, racism, and economic uncertainty, the New York Urban League’s work is more vital than ever before,” added Arva R. Rice, President and CEO, New York Urban League. “In our first century of fighting for social justice and racial equality, we have helped more than one million people achieve their potential. In this next century, we aim to improve upon that footprint and increase our engagement.”