Tag Archives: harlem

Aysa’s Boutique

Posted on by

Two weekends ago when I went to Harlem, I ran into an old friend actually she was my french tutor in college.

I was taking pictures of Harlem and came across a store on 7th Avenue between 138th and 139th Street. It had beautiful skirts and dresses on display, so I walked in and who do you think is sitting behind the counter? Amy!  We were so surprised to see one another that we kept laughing and hugging! It was a while before I asked about the store’s merchandise! However, I did eventually ask (I know that I have a lot of friends out there who is interested in finding good quality skirts and dresses).

The shop is named Aysa Boutique and sells almost everything! In the picture behind us are baby clothes and on the other side of the store are long dresses and skirts. There are also a lot of African garb since Amy and her family is from Senegal. She told me customer’s can also get their outfits custom made.

It’s a beautiful boutique and I plan making a visit there again. I would encourage you to do the same!

Their contact infomation is:

Aysa Boutique

2363 7th Avenue between 138th and 139th Street

212-234-6050

aysallc@gmail.com

Cornell

Posted on by

This is Cornell. Look at his outfit.

He told me he is originally from North Carolina.

He came to New York in 1962 after he got into a little trouble. He lived upstate for a while…I automatically thought jail because of the way he said it: They sent me upstate and when I got out my Mom helped me get a small place in the Bronx. Now I live in Harlem. 

A Dream Deferred

Posted on by

There need to be a community of people in New York who is dedicated to saving the African-American history in New York City. We have given so much to this city and so much of our history is not even saved because it seems like no one really care. And I know there are people who care. And I am going to look for those people and work a long with them…I just don’t know where to start.

Last year, a friend and I went to Harlem to visit the home of Langston Hughes and it’s just a disgrace. It is right in the middle of Harlem and it looks run down. There are weeds and junk all over the place. There was broken glass and the entire house looked uninviting.  The only thing on the wall outside of the house was a plaque that read a little something about his life.L.HuguesHome Totally something that should never be.

Now, I am looking up information to visit the home of Mme. C. J. Walker and there is no information, even though she had a house that she built, in Irvington-on-Hudson, New York.

Our history is being taking from us right under our noses and something needs to be done. Something is going to be done too.