The Harlem Defender: A Zine By Defend Harlem
Vol. 2
Want to see the print version of The Harlem Defender? You can view it here!
I. About Defend Harlem
Defend Harlem is a media and advocacy organizing group based in Harlem fighting against displacement and housing injustice in the Uptown Manhattan Community. Started by The Interfaith Housing Commission for Housing Equality in partnership with Young Atlas, we are a member of the One Harlem Coalition, an anti-gentrification and anti-displacement campaign.
From Harlem to the Heights, we fight for affordable housing, economic opportunities, and community development spearheaded in our historically Black and Latine neighborhoods. Our work consists of producing media content, raising awareness around predatory development projects in the community, and organizing public events to forge solutions.
We at Defend Harlem recognize the extraordinarily deep roots that remain intact here at home, and we are committed to honoring and preserving them. As a platform for Harlem, we highlight members of the community through media and pay homage to those who paved the way for us today. With your support of our many grassroots initiatives (which you’re doing by reading this zine!) we can Defend Harlem!
Our Demands
Stop Displacement
Invest in affordable housing
Increase real economic, employment, and education opportunities
Substantial community partnership and control of community development
About the Cover Artist
Justin Romero (b. 2000, Bronx, NY) is a ink artist exploring liberation, self-expression, and the complexities of Black and Brown life. Using calligraphy tools, he challenges conventional expectations of Puerto Rican and Black art, creating space for those who appreciate tradition without strictly adhering to it.
Inspired by subversive artists and musicians from political, punk, and rap movements, he embraces their fearless expression and DIY ethos. Working with unconventional materials like stain remover and alcohol, his ink-washing techniques create unpredictable, dynamic imagery. His art exists between tradition and reinvention, pushing beyond prescribed narratives to explore identity and self-expression.
II. Voices of Harlem: “June Was Here”
By Samiya Bashir
June Jordan changed my life.
I first met June Jordan in the ’90s: first on film, then at Berkeley, where I transferred in the middle of college specifically to study with her. June Jordan’s Poetry for the People wasn’t a class—it was a manifesto. She taught us that poetry is the revolution. That to write clearly, to love fully, to speak truth with precision, was a form of resistance. It was breath and fire. It was a way of seeing the world and refusing its violence. A form of survival.
We were close. She challenged me, taught me, laughed with me. We talked about love. We talked about fear. She called me a poet, and meant it like a vow.
When she died in 2002, something in me grew one of those infamous cracks where the light creeps in.
By then I was living in Brooklyn—on Hancock Street in Bed-Stuy. I’d found a place, and the two of us discovered I was living on her block. June’s block. Her childhood stoop sat just outside from my window.
Her life in Harlem surpassed physical presence. She embraced Harlem imaginatively asking: what could Harlem look like if it truly served Black people? How could we get there?
June and Buckminster Fuller famously drafted a plan to rebuild Harlem as a Black, self-sustaining city. That vision—futuristic, rooted, unapologetically Black—stays with me. Harlem still hums with it. So do I.
June won the Rome Prize in Environmental Design the year I was born. I won it in Literature decades later—one of the first Black women to do so. This circle is not lost on me.
June made room. June made possible.
She continues to breathe behind every line I write.
Because lineage isn’t just blood. It’s breath. It’s brick. It’s the miracle of being seen and still becoming.
About the Voices of Harlem Author
Samiya Bashir (she/her/nem) is a poet, writer, librettist, performer, and multimedia poetry maker. Described as a “dynamic, shape-shifting machine of perpetual motion” by Diego Báez in Booklist, Bashir is the author of multiple poetry collections, including Field Theories (Nightboat Books, 2017), winner of the 2018 Oregon Book Awards Stafford/Hall Award for Poetry.
Her honors include a Joseph Brodsky Rome Prize in Literature, a Pushcart Prize, Oregon’s Regional Arts & Culture Council Individual Artist Fellowship in Literature, and two Michigan Hopwood Poetry Awards. Bashir has edited magazines and anthologies of literature and artwork. In 2002, she cofounded Fire & Ink, an advocacy organization and writer’s festival for LGBTQ+ writers of African descent, with which she worked through 2015.
Both within and beyond traditional academic settings, Bashir works to create, employ, and teach a restorative poetics that can acknowledge the despair often bred by isolation, and turn it toward a poetics of light and its potential for witness, healing, and change. Formerly an associate professor at Reed College in Portland, Oregon, Bashir served as executive director of Lambda Literary from 2022 to 2023. She lives in Harlem.
III. What’s Happening?
March
1:1 Resume Help • Job Development
Mar 24th & 31st • NYPL 125th St11am-12:30pm
nypl.org/events
Truth, Tales & Fabrications: The Quilt Art of Laura R. Gadson • Arts
Now - June 27th • Aaron Davis Hall Gallery | City College Center for the ArtsTime Varies
citycollegecenterforthearts.org/galleries
Financial, Credit, and Medicare Counseling • Financial Planning
Mar 31st • NYPL (Online)
5pm-7pm
nypl.org/events
April
Technical Theater Production • Internship
April 7 (Deadline) • The Apollo Theaterapollotheater.org/education/technical-internship
Defend Harlem Public Meeting • Community Development
Apr 10 • Mt. Olivet Baptist Church6pm-8pm
defendharlem.org
Creating Cyanotypes Studio Workshop • Arts
April 19 • The Met Fifth Avenue
2pm-5pm
engage.metmuseum.org/events
Learn about more events happening Uptown by visiting this spreadsheet.
IV. Faces of Harlem: Laura R. Gadson - “Weaving Quilts, Community, and Cultural Resilience”
Find out where you can fit in or maximize whatever’s going on. [...] Don't let the idea that this is not for you’ keep you from enjoying whatever's in your neighborhood. If it's in your community, it belongs to you too.
By Jamila Desir
To kick off Black History Month, I had the pleasure of viewing Truth, Tales & Fabrications: The Quilt Art of Laura Gadson. The art displayed at this exhibition was striking and steeped in Black history. I knew immediately that I had to speak to the mind behind this work and learn of its inspiration.
Laura Gadson is a lifelong creative and longtime Harlem resident of three decades. "I always give a lot of credit to the parenting that I had," she shares. Growing up, art was a constant presence in her childhood, with one of her earliest memories of art being her father's, a commercial artist himself, depiction of the 1963 Birmingham church bombing. Ms. Gadson describes her work as "Blackity Black," from her quilts to her mixed-media works.
One of the most powerful quilts at the exhibition comes from her series “The Water Brought Us” and is entitled Reception at Ibo Landing II, which depicted the legend/occurrence of Africans who chose to walk into the waters of St. Simons Island. Ms. Gadson expressed her frustration with how the narrative surrounding Ibo Landing has shifted.
They've rewritten the story, reducing it to a mass suicide instead of recognizing it for what it was - a radical act of defiance.
Ms. Gadson has had a footprint in Harlem since 1977 and credited the Harlem Arts Alliance (HAA) and their monthly meetings were instrumental in her ability to claim herself as a visual artist. Although she credits the HAA with helping her find her identity as an artist in the '90s, the art scene here has weakened over the years despite Harlem’s historic Black creative roots.
When asked what should be done in Harlem to preserve what's left of the culture, Ms. Gadson shares her frustration with generational transition and lack of mentorship in the community. She states, "When you don’t prime people on what you are doing[...]how are they going to carry on what you did, or how you did it? You wouldn't let it go, or give a piece of it, or start a new leg of it. You know, I'm just frustrated with that."Ms. Gadson is counteracting this trend by creating artistic community spaces through an initiative she co-founded called Harlem Aesthetic.
As a Harlem artist who has witnessed the community’s transformation firsthand, I was curious to get Ms. Gadson's perspective on gentrification and displacement. She shared that developers and institutions often use arts initiatives as a gateway to more extensive plans for transformation. "They would have little arts programs. And that's one thing that gentrification always does. They'll let a set of middle-class folk in there first to ‘civilize’ the area to their liking. And they will have artists also do that. They have new ways of looking at old plans."
Despite ongoing challenges, it is clear that Laura Gadson is still optimistic about the future. She advises, "Find out where you can fit in or maximize whatever's going on. Don't let the idea that 'this is not for you' keep you from enjoying whatever's in your neighborhood. If it's in your community, it belongs to you too.” As Harlem continues to change, Ms. Gadson remains a constant advocate and cultural carrier for preserving Black art locally by creating and maintaining cultural spaces like the Harlem Aesthetic. Documenting and preserving Black history in her artwork and curating local exhibitions ensure that the spirit of Harlem and Black history is not mentioned in the past tense but is alive and well in the community.
Laura Gadson's artwork is a testament to her quilt-making skills and speaks to her ability to weave community and cultural resilience Laura Gadson’s exhibit, Truth, Tales & Fabrications: The Quilt Art of Laura R. Gadson, will run through Friday, June 27, 2025, from M-F from 10am-6pm and on three Saturdays: March 15, April 5, and May 3 at Aaron Davis Hall | City College Center for the Arts. The exhibit will be closed on Memorial Day. There will also be a live exhibition component of the showcase, and more art will be added over time, so be sure to visit the show and spread the word!
V. Harlem Changemakers: Harlem Memories
By Yvonne Destin
It may have been over 30 years ago when I first moved to Harlem, but I still remember what it was like looking for my first apartment. I thought the rent was too high then. I saw apartments that were unbelievable in size and architectural detail located in pre-war buildings; as well as apartments that were practically closets, where the bathtub was located in the kitchen but also doubled as a table with plywood and ingenuity.
Having grown up in New Jersey, I was accustomed to living in a freestanding home with a backyard where I didn’t have to share my room. I drove everywhere and, wait for it, had a garage with a driveway! Now, I have to contend with alternate side parking and coordinating with my neighbors with cars so that I don’t have to park blocks away or risk getting a ticket for parking in front of the fire hydrant. I remember when they were taking polls for bicycle lanes in the community.
Sure, I understood the concepts of green transportation, but I thought the lawmakers and developers behind these initiatives were insane. I live close enough to the GWB to see the traffic that starts around 3pm on both main and side streets. I own a car in the city and want to be able to park on my block and not pay what can amount to a regular mortgage payment to a parking garage. And now, you want to take away prime parking spaces – there is no valiant parking in my life – and a driving lane.
Forgive me; I’ll digress from my parking rant – Harlem is so much more than that. The architectural majesty and historical richness take my breath away.
All within walking distance are landmarks ranging from brownstones, townhouses, apartment buildings, and mansions on a hill overlooking the Harlem River. There are cobblestone streets with lamplights dating over 100 years and actual garages that were once horse stalls. I remember the elders sitting on benches playing dominos while sharing history not taught in classrooms.
I remember talking with my neighbor who purchased her home when financial institutions “classified” the area, or shall I say redlined, the area so that Black people could not buy a home in Sugar Hill. I’m so grateful that she is nearly 90 years old and has continued to enjoy home ownership for over 50 years. Now, I’m an elder sharing my wisdom not from a bench but my car as I sit in it from 9am to 10:30am twice a week for alternate side parking.
People from this community are just as amazing. I’ve met a young woman who began her own business to encourage fitness by organizing running and walking groups throughout Harlem. I’ve met passionate people focused on bridging the economic gap through education by hosting Saturday workshops and mentoring programs for young people. I’ve enjoyed jazz and classical concerts in community gardens and block parties. I’ve met pioneers like Arthur Mitchell, who created the Dance Theatre of Harlem. (Never mind the rehearsals that were too long and ate into my daughter’s dinner and homework time. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciated his legacy, but I was raising a scholar who needed to study, and I was not going to compromise her ranking for a pirouette. No shade to professional performers.)
I love Harlem. My neighbors have been renowned physicians in a field where SHE was among less than the five people in the nation who look like her. My neighbors were musicians carrying their cellos to their performances. My neighbors have been opera singers who performed in venues across the globe. The world and I saw her sing at Carnegie Hall, but I know her for walking her dog Christina, who she treated like her own flesh and blood. My neighbors have also been hustlers, but they call me “Ma’am” and look out for me as I watch them grow up. I’m sure everyone has their own special Harlem memories. The important thing is that we remember life is about legacy and sustainability. We should be mindful not to dismiss our heritage for “urban renewal.”
I hope that other families in my community enjoy the richness of the museums (I can’t wait for the Studio Museum of Harlem to re-open), Tae Kwon Do classes, Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics, art workshops at the Children’s Art Carnival, music and photography lessons from Harlem School of the Arts, presentations at the Schomburg, swimming at the Harlem Y, conversations at local bookstores like Sisters Uptown Bookstore, or performances at Aaron Davis Hall.
I can’t list all of the cultural opportunities that are located in Harlem because there are that many. I also don’t want to forget that Harlem has notable restaurants—I used to get salmon cakes at Wilson’s Bakery and Restaurant or chicken and grits from Copelands. There are plenty of restaurants to satisfy your culinary appetite, but I have to admit I live with two chefs, and the cost of my meals these days is doing the dishes. (I thank God that I have a dishwasher because they use nearly every pot, pan, and mixing bowl.)
My memories are precious, and I hope that you make your own. Harlem is amazing! Don’t forget to smile and be open to conversation. Life goes by too fast. Make sure you leave a positive footprint for others to follow.
VI. Business Directory
1. Make My Cake (Bakery) *
409 West 125th St
(212) 932-0833
makemycake.com
@makemycake
Sun: 11am - 6:30pm; Mon-Sat: 11am - 7:30pm
2. Revolution Books (Bookstore)*
437 Malcolm X Blvd
(212) 691-3345
revolutionbooksnyc.org
@revbooksnyc
Sun-Sat: 1pm-7pm; CLOSED Mon & Weds
3. Sister’s Uptown (Bookstore)*
1942 Amsterdam Ave
(212) 862-3680
sistersuptownbookstore.com
@sistersuptown
Tues-Sat: 12pm-6pm
4. Word Up Community Bookshop (Bookstore)*
2113 Amsterdam Ave.
(347) 688-4456
wordupbooks.com
@wordupbooks
Tues: 12pm-8pm; Weds-Sat: 12pm-6pm
5. Open Hands (Legal Services)
175 East 125th St
info@openhandslegalservices.org
openhandslegalservices.org
Check website for hours
6. Grandma’s Place (Retail)
84 W 120th St
(212) 360-6776
grandmasplaceinharlem.com
Tues-Thurs: 12pm-7pm; Fri-Sun: 10am-8pm
7. Recirculation Books (Bookstore)*
876 Riverside Dr.
(347) 688-4456
wordupbooks.com/recirculation
@recirculation.nyc
Thurs-Fri: 6pm-9pm; Sat: 1pm-4pm & Sun: 3pm-6pm
8. NiLu Gift Boutique (Retail)*
191 Malcolm X Blvd
(646) 964-4926
shopnilu.com
@shopnilu
Daily: 11am-7pm
9. Children’s Art Carnival (Education)*
62 Hamilton Ter
(347) 480-8360
childrensartcarnival.org
@childrensartcarnival
Sat & Sun: 12pm-6pm; Check website for event hours
*a local distributor of The Harlem Defender
VII. Know Your Rights!
English • You Have Constitutional Rights!
DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR if an immigration agent is knocking on the door.
DO NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS from an immigration agent if they try to talk to you. You have the right to remain silent.
DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING without first speaking to a lawyer. You have the right to speak with a lawyer.
If you are outside of your home, ask the agent if you are free to leave and if they say yes, leave calmly.
Español • Usted Tiene Derechos Constitucionales
NO ABRA LA PUERTA si un agente de inmigración está tocando la puerta.
NO CONTESTE NINGUNA PREGUNTA de un agente de inmigración si trata de hablar con usted. Usted tiene el derecho a guardar silencio.
NO FIRME NADA sin antes hablar con un abogado. Usted tiene el derecho de hablar con un abogado.
Si usted está fuera de su casa, pregúntele al agente si tiene la libertad de irse y si le dice que sí, váyase con tranquilidad.
Kreyòl Ayisyen • Ou Gen Dwa Konstitisyonèl
PA LOUVRI PÒT la si yon ajan imigrasyon frape pòt la.
PA REPONN OKENN KEKSYON yon ofisye imigrasyon si yo eseye pale avèk ou. Ou gen dwa pou rete an silans.
PA SIYEN ANYEN san w’ pa pale anvan avèk yon avoka. Ou gen dwa pale ak yon avoka.
Si w’ deyò lakay ou, mande ajan an si w’ lib pou ale epi si yo di wi, ale avèk kalm.
عربي • لديك حقوق دستورية
ال تفتح الباب إذا كان رشطي الهجرة يطرق الباب
ال تجيب عىل أي أسئلة يسئلها رشطة الهجرة إذا حاولوا التحدث إليك. لديك الحق يف التزام الصمت
ال توقع أي يشء دون التحدث أوال إىل محامي. لك الحق يف التحدث اىل محامي
إذا کنت خارج بیتك، اسأل الرشطي إذا کان لدیك حریة املغادرة، وإذا قال نعم، غادر بهدوء
About the Back Cover Artist
Abujahna D. Alveranga is a Multidisciplinary Artist & Art Therapist in training. She creates to survive. Art is her refuge, voice, and way of reclaiming power. As a multidisciplinary artist and art therapist in training, she uses creative expression to transform trauma into healing—not just for others, but for herself. She’s exhibited in NYC, Boston, Cuba, Haiti, France, Armenia, and Russia and led workshops Nationally at the, YMCA, and Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum and Internationally in Haiti, Cuba and Armenia. She holds degrees from Sarah Lawrence College and Bronx Community College, with additional training in art therapy, mental health first aid, and trauma-informed care. Her work is not about offering easy solutions, but about reclaiming herself, honoring her own process, and creating from a place of truth.
Her practice spans painting, printmaking, bookbinding, artist books, sound therapy, carpentry and gardening, each medium offering a different way to explore trauma, resilience, and self-reclamation. Through layered visuals, tactile works, and immersive sound, she gives form to what words often fail to express. Her piece "I Choose Me" was born out of violation and neglect, created in response to the deep betrayal I felt after her home was invaded by ten men. It stands as an unapologetic declaration of self-love in a world that too often expects women—especially Black women—to endure without pause. This theme continues in her larger body of work, particularly Things We Carry (TWC), which speaks to the weight of trauma and premiered at Casa de Africa in Cuba.
The Harlem Defender is brought to you by the Defend Harlem Media Team:
Ash’aa Khan
Brandon Tizol
Corrie Aune
Jamila Desir
Kai Cogsville
Kathryn Destin, Editor-in-Chief
Nefertite Nguvu
Jordan Baptiste
Jordan Morgan
Want to submit to the next issue of The Harlem Defender or get involved with Defend Harlem? Visit the links below or our Defend Defend Linktree.
Are you a Harlem native or Harlem-based artist looking to be on the next cover of The Harlem Defender? Follow our Instagram @defend.harlem to stay updated on our next call for submissions!