A documentary about the history of gentrification and its lasting effects on communities.
THE HISTORY
HARLEM used to be an affluent community immersed with cultural richness.
From the Cotton Club jazz era; to the Harlem Renaissance, the black cowboys; from the activism in the 60s and 70s to El barrio; from Tito Puente to Spanish Harlem, and more, this story will highlight the cultural significance and legacy of Harlem.
HARLEM TODAY
200,000 black people have left NY in the past few decades.
In the last 10 years Harlem has lost nearly 20 black churches.
The Area Median Income (AMI) for Manhattan is 90K, while the actual number for many in Harlem is 60K.
45+ new developments are on the way.
With some arguing that gentrification cleans up the neighborhood, a debate will be had to determine at what cost?
TRADITION
Harlem is rooted in African practices and continues to carry a longstanding bond to the motherland. Often overlooked in discussions on housing are the African immigrants residing in Harlem. With many African drummers performing in Marcus Garvey Park and street vendors selling their goods on 116th Street, they too are affected by gentrification.
As we journey to the past, present, with a glimpse into the foreseeable future, this David and Goliath tale will highlight the African traditions that continue today.
TONE & STYLE
WHERE’S HARLEM moves back and forth between the past and present. As we focus on the Harlem of today in a cinema verité style, this is interlaced with stock footage, old photos, and sounds from the past.
Animated graphics will detail the intricacies of the housing market, and at times tonally things will be played out with an Adam McKay-like approach in the teachable moments.
The score will be enriched with percussion ensembles, African drums, jazz, funk, and soul, all moving around in a syncopated pace to heighten the black cultural moments.
And when we hear excerpts from the writing of Langston Hughes, and James Baldwin, ideally it will be from prominent Black voices of today.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
I am a first generation American, an Afro-Latino who will use my skills as a writer and director as a vessel for the people of Harlem. Black and brown people looking out for each other is in my blood. To see what continues to be a monumental devastation occurring in Harlem, is a story I am passionate about telling and a vital one that I want to shed light on to create change.
Kristin Richardson Jordan, Tanesha Grant, June Moses, the local politicians in the Progressive Caucus, these are all black and brown women standing up for their community and there are many others like them doing the same.
My mother is a woman who stands up for others. Having immigrated from Panama, she raised my brother and I to always protect those in need. My personal experience in this country, though American, was different. When you have immigrant parents, your reality is not the same. There is a fear that everything can be taken from you at any second because that unfortunate reality does exist. I watched it happen to a family my mom was close with. You are not afforded the same kind of protection as the average American, which strengthens the bond of immigrants looking out for each other.
It did not take long for my mother to apply her social worker skills to help many Mexican immigrant families in our community. With my stepdad being skilled in filing taxes, every year I remember immigrant families coming to our house as my mother translated and assisted them in making sure their paperwork was filed correctly.
The goal of this film is to bring awareness to the gentrification taking place in Harlem while amplifying the voice of the unsung heroes.