Tag Archives: Harlem

March 30, 2012 · 4:45 pm

Ginny’s Supper Club. Red Rooster, Part Deux

A few nights ago, I took a meeting with one of the owners of the Red Rooster and GTM Central, an Atlanta-based creative agency, in the recently opened Ginny’s Supper Club.

We were meeting to talk about the programming for the latest entrant to the New York night life scene.

For those of you not in the know, Ginny’s is located in the recently renovated downstairs of the Red Rooster, the posh restaurant of celebrity chef, Marcus Samuelsson.

If you missed the announcement about it’s opening, that’s okay. It was quite low-key.

Sure, it was mentioned in a bunch of online publications.

But unless your a foodie or aficionado, Ginny’s formal opening probably flew under your radar.

Red Rooster has become the de facto go-to destination uptown, and celebrity-spotting – as well as fine dining – is the order of the day.

Can you say swanky?

While Red Rooster has become known for it’s exceptional menu, high fine art and extensive music catalogue, Ginny’s is looking to brand itself as the spot for great food and exceptional live entertainment.

Think of Ginny’s as a juke joint or a speakeasy, and you’ve got the picture.

They’ve got a separate dinner and drink menu – I had the roasted duck. It was delicious!

And the mixologists at the bar are on par with any in the city.

There was a Brazilian band playing bossa nova the night I was there, and the place was packed – literally standing room only.

Roberta Flack is performing at Ginny’s on April 14th as part of their Jazz Masters Series, and the line up for the spring and summer is equally outstanding.

If you’ve only been upstairs, then I strongly encourage you to head downstairs and experience Ginny’s yourself.

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September 17, 2010 · 9:34 am

My Wife is Dope: Redux

Man Pouring Tea

So earlier this year, I posted up about how fly my wife is.

She had just completed this piece for Nneka, and I was totally blown away by the piece.

Well, my praise is obviously self-serving (I’ve got to live with the wench).

But she was recently selected to be a part of a group show that opens in Harlem next month.

Two of her pieces, Man Pouring Tea and Sudan, were selected to be a part of the Sauti Yetu Art exhibition, which opens October 23rd at the Casa Frela Gallery.

Sudan

What’s also kinda cool, is that they asked if she would allow them to use Man Pouring Tea on the promotional materials for the show.

We were so excited that we were jumping up and down like little kids when she got the news.

And by ‘we’ I literally mean the entire family – even little Fuji who can’t stand, much less jump, was rocking his lil’ booty up in the air.

The show is actually a traveling exhibition, which will be housed at Case Frela for a month, before traveling to the other scheduled galleries.

I’m asking folks to mark their calendars now, so that you can see Chanel’s work up close and personal.

The pictures don’t do them justice.

Don’t take my word for it (because I’m obviously biased).

Come through Casa Frela on October 23rd (or before the pieces move to their next destination on November 30th) and see for yourself.

Trust me, you’ll be glad you did.

And if (for some ungodly reason) you can’t make it, worry not.

We’re planning on running a promotion with We Harlem (shout out to Sergio and Lorraine), where you can get an exclusive ChanelArt wallpaper to your mobile phone or PC.

So stay tuned for more details!

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September 15, 2010 · 3:41 am

When Losing Is Winning.

Just got in from a celebration at Bier International on Frederick Douglas Blvd. in Harlem.

I was partying with Vincent Morgan and the M4C team, as we celebrated a well-executed dry run.

When I first spoke to Vince, he said, “even if I lose, I win.”

From the start of the race, he was aware that he faced an uphill battle running against Charlie.

Rangel was a 40 year incumbent.

Vince, a political upstart.

Rangel had a war chest.

Vince couldn’t rub two pennies together.

Rangel was the insider.

Vince was on the outside.

But he had to run.

Something inside him compelled him to throw his hat in the ring, in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

If you’ve ever met Vince, you realize early on, that the guy is serious.

He’s as passionate about his desire to improve Harlem, as he is his commitment to family, and his belief in community.

Shoot, he converted me, and I don’t even live in the damn District!

But I digress.

He ran because he understood that sometimes you’ve got to go for it.

Tonight (or last night, rather) we toasted a battle well fought.

We also toasted to the implicit knowledge that in 2012, Vince would be Harlem’s next Congressman.

We were all smiles as we collectively pondered “Who the heck is Ruben Vargas?”

Vincent Morgan for Congress!

M4C 2012 Holla!

Note: I had pictures to show you, but my camera is wigging out (I’ve been having real techology issues recently ya’ll) – I’ll post as soon as I work it out.

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May 7, 2010 · 11:02 pm

Stumping with Vincent Morgan

Vincent Morgan cheeses for the camera with the event hosts.

A few months ago, I wrote a post about my first meeting with Vincent Morgan.

At the time, he was a prospective client.

Last Wednesday, I was stumping with my client, as he made his way about Harlem, promoting his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives for the 15th District of New York.

I met him at his place, and we headed to Amsterdam and 138th, where he was scheduled to speak to the West Harlem Independent Democrats.

We arrived early and grabbed a bite to eat at a Spanish restaurant a block up from the WHID office.

After enjoying arroz con pollo with coffee, distributing a few M4C leaflets, and settling the bill (Vince paid), he, Philip (a member of his communications team) and I headed to the engagement.

When we arrived, Vince was introduced and took the floor.

He opened with a reflection on Cinco de Mayo, and it’s relevance to the race against Rangel.

He followed up with a brief background of how he came to public service.

And then fielded several questions about charter schools, small businesses, the viability of his candidacy, and closed.

From there, we headed over to the Madison Cigar Lounge, where an M4C fundraiser/meet-and-greet was being hosted by FYI Communications.

I watched, taking notes and snapping pictures, as Vince worked the room and offered his perspective for a revitalized Harlem.

By the time I headed out, I was left with one distinct impression: Vincent Morgan can win this election.

I’m not a member of the 15th district.

I’m not a NYer.

I can’t even vote in the upcoming elections.

But if I could, I’d be voting for this guy, and here are a few reasons why:

1. Harlem needs a fresh perspective. Rangel is 80 years old. What does he have in common with the struggling lower and middle class of the District?

2.  Rangel has been in office waaaayyyy too long. Period. 40 years in the House of Representatives? C’mon, can someone else speak for Harlem?

3.  Vince kinda reminds you of Obama. Democrats. Black. Raised in Chi-town. Married. Two kids.

4.  The guy knows his stuff. Vince is all about facts and being able to substantiate whatever perspective you maintain. Columbia MBA. Need I say more?

5.  He’s passionate. If you’ve seen him speak, watched any of his videos or have met him in person, you’d agree that he means what he says.

I’ll admit that I’m a member of the cult of Vince. We’re both Taurus (his birthday is the day after mine), and I am on his payroll. So I’d better be all about Vince.

But my obvious bias aside, give this guy a gander.

You may very well be looking at the next Congressman for the 15th District of New York.

If you’d like to hear him speak in person, check out the events calendar on his website to find out where he’s going to be next.

If you’re interested in donating to the campaign, volunteering or learning more, check out the Morgan4Congress website.

You can also follow him on Twitter @morgan4congress or fan like him on Facebook.

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February 3, 2010 · 12:46 am

Harlem Stand Up! Vince Morgan is coming!

I had an interesting call with Vincent Morgan last Friday, and I came away intrigued by the man who has recently thrown his hat into the ring to challenge incumbent New York Democratic House of Representative member Charlie Rangel.

This guy could be your next Congressman! He looks electable.

The call was interesting for a number of reasons, not the least of which was the fact that he was so cool. Not to say that someone running for office shouldn’t be, but the ease with which we spoke had me feeling like I was kicking it with one of my boys, and not having an in-depth discussion with a viable Congressional candidate.

Some background. I was introduced to Vince (as he likes to be called) by Kofi Bannerman, a partner is one of my many ventures (a brother gotta keep multiple hustles going – ya dig?), who suggested that I reach out to him because he was getting his house in order for this run for office, and might require my considerable experience (forgive my self-indulgent plug).

We were supposed to meet face-to-face, but since I wasn’t sure what this face-to-face would be about, I felt that an introductory call was in order. So I called him.

I was impressed that he picked up his phone (I figured a guy in his position would be screening everything). I was even more impressed when he said that he had time to talk, considering his admittedly hectic schedule.

After the compulsory introductions and ice-breakers, we went in on the purpose of my call – figuring out what (if anything) Morgan4Congress needed, and how I could fulfill those needs.

Nice logo huh?

In preparation of our call, I had done a preliminary search of Mr. Morgan and his fledgling campaign. It was readily apparent, however, that things were buttoned up quite nicely from the door.

His website http://morgan4congress.com was up and active, as were his various social media sites, including a Facebook fan page, Twitter, blog, and YouTube channel.

He’s been interviewed on CNN and Fox 5 regarding his run, and both the NY Times and Huffington Post have reported on his candidacy.

Vince talked about his background as a community banker, his wife and two children. We discussed his roots, growing up in Chicago, and getting chased home from school.

He broke down his stance on the issues of the upcoming election, and by the time we were done, I was left with the distinct impression that this guy was electable.

He’s spent the past three years putting together his team and readying himself for this run. I told him that I’d shoot some ideas his way for leveraging his social media assets and generating viral movement on and offline.

However it goes, this guy is the future of politics in New York. He’s young and smart with plenty of Obama-esque swagger. Did I say he was from Chicago?

All I’ve got to say is this: Harlem stand up! Vince Morgan is coming!

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