By Jarad McAllister/NY Daily News
Distinguished Caribbean novelist Rosa Guy and the Harlem Writers Guild – the oldest African-American writers group in America – were honored at the 350th Harlem anniversary celebration, presented by the Harlem Preservation Foundation and the Neighborhood Artists organization.
Guy, a Harlem Writers Guild co-founder, who was born in Trinidad and immigrated to Harlem with her parents, received special recognition at the event held at the famed Minton’s Playhouse on W. 118th St.
The Harlem Preservation Foundation and Neighborhood Artists are in the midst of celebrating a Harlem anniversary that goes back about 350 years.
Through a number of special events, the organizations are commemorating the beginnings of modern-day Harlem, which started as the Dutch village of New Haarlem in 1658 and was built with the labor of enslaved and partly-freed African workers, according to Eric Tait Jr. of the foundation.
“Over those 350 years, Harlem has evolved into the mecca of the African diaspora, and despite many ups and downs, it is still going strong,” Tait wrote in an article about the celebration.
The Harlem anniversary celebration events continue throughout the year and include a film festival in tribute to the late filmmaker St. Claire Bourne on Oct. 11 through Oct.13. For information, call (212) 281-2456 or www.myspace.com/harlemthennowandforever.
Photo credit: D. Bell/Uptown Flavor File
Posted on August 10, 2008 by D. Bell