Harlem Fine Arts Show Celebrates Black Creativity, Community, and Legacy
Walking into this show felt like stepping into the future while standing firmly in history. From the moment I entered the space, the Harlem Fine Arts Showrevealed itself as more than a traditional exhibition. The energy was alive, immersive, and deeply rooted in Black art and cultural storytelling.
Artist: M. Gasby Brown
The Harlem Fine Arts Show has always been about more than presentation. It is about presence. This year’s exhibition felt intentional and cohesive, blending African Diaspora art with innovation while continuing to elevate contemporary Black artists on a global stage.
When Art Moves Beyond the Frame
New technology played a powerful role in bringing the work to life at the Harlem Fine Arts Show, particularly through installations at O’Bannon Studios. Pieces evolved before your eyes, creating an immersive experience that expanded how Black art is seen and felt.
The 3D artwork by Artbunga LLC was a standout moment at the Harlem Fine Arts Show, stopping viewers in their tracks and challenging traditional gallery norms. The emergence of a young artist from Paloma Hostin reinforced why representation within the Black art community matters at every age.
artist: Paloma Hostin
Texture, Symbolism, and Fearless Color
The Harlem Fine Arts Show also showcased emotional depth through texture and material. The delicate use of lace fabric by M. Gasby Brown felt poetic and intentional, offering a softer yet powerful expression of Black creativity.
Zimbabwean contemporary artist Keith Zenda brought ancestral symbolism to the forefront at the Harlem Fine Arts Show, blending bold color with cultural heritage. His work bridged tradition and modernity, highlighting the global reach of African Diaspora art.
This was Black art in motion at the Harlem Fine Arts Show. Artists were not only creating visually stunning work but also pushing culture forward with purpose, soul, and intention.
Art That Gives Back
What made the Harlem Fine Arts Show especially meaningful was its commitment to community impact. The Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center in Bridgehampton, New York, was a benefactor of the event, reinforcing the connection between art, responsibility, and social good.
Bridgehampton Childcare Center
By supporting a local nonprofit, the Harlem Fine Arts Show demonstrated how cultural institutions can engage with community needs while uplifting Black artists and strengthening the broader Hamptons art scene.
Legacy Meets Hometown
The moment that felt most personal came with the reminder that Dion Clarke, founder and CEO of the Harlem Fine Arts Show, is a Sag Harbor resident. This connection grounds the show in the East End while maintaining its international influence.
This July, Dion Clarke will bring an art show to Sag Harbor, extending the legacy of the Harlem Fine Arts Show into the Sag Harbor art scene and creating a powerful homecoming rooted in Black history and culture.
More Than an Art Show
The Harlem Fine Arts Show is not just an exhibition. It is a vibe, a movement, and a cultural force. It reminds us that Black art is not static or confined to the past but living, evolving, and shaping the present.
Year after year, the Harlem Fine Arts Show proves that when Black artists are centered and celebrated, the result is not only beautiful work but lasting cultural impact felt far beyond the gallery walls.
The MetroCard is officially on life support and New Yorkers are being pushed into the future whether we are ready or not. OMNY is rolling out everywhere and fares across the MTA are shifting on January 4, 2026. Translation: tap your phone, tap your card, or check your pulse because the transportation world is changing and we all need a minute to adjust.
Below is what stays, what goes, and how to avoid donating extra money to the MTA out of confusion, exhaustion, or poor planning.
Tap to pay and tap to pray
MetroCards are fading and OMNY is stepping in. An OMNY card costs 2 dollars and can last up to five years. MetroCards were iconic but let’s be honest, half of them bent like wet noodles and the other half demagnetized if you blinked too fast. We are moving on, whether we feel emotionally ready or not.
Still cheaper than a cold Uber at midnight during a rainstorm and less stressful than parking anywhere south of 96th Street.
Fare capping is your new best friend
Once you pay for 12 subway or local bus rides in a week, the rest is free. Weekly max: 35 dollars, or 17.50 for reduced fare riders.
Express bus riders max out at 67 dollars a week. Finally, something that rewards showing up, even if life tries to throw us off the tracks.
LIRR and Metro North: same trains, higher stakes
Monthly and weekly tickets increase up to 4.5 percent. Other tickets increase up to 8 percent. Peak CityTicket becomes 7.25 and off peak becomes 5.25. Monthly passes stay under 500 dollars which is the MTA version of a warm hug.
Greed fees and activation regrets
Here is the painful part. If you buy a ticket on the train, the surcharge jumps from $2 – $8 dollars. That is lunch money, half a manicure, or enough to make you rethink your entire life. If you bought a digital ticket but did not activate it before boarding same $8 dollar on board fee because apparently forgetting counts as a luxury service. Moral of the story open the app before you sit down or hand over $8 dollars for the privilege of being unprepared.
Day Pass replaces round trip
Round trip tickets are gone. Now you get a Day Pass offering unlimited travel until 4 am the next day.
On weekdays it costs about 10 percent less than two peak tickets. On weekends it matches two off peak tickets.
But here is the real talk Before tapping, ask yourself one question “Am I absolutely taking that return trip today?”
Can you still use cash
Yes. Absolutely. Cash users are still in the game.
For subways and buses you can load cash onto an OMNY card at vending machines or retail stores. Over 2,700 businesses accept cash to reload OMNY cards, including bodegas, pharmacies and grocery stores.
For LIRR and Metro North you can still buy tickets with cash at machines or ticket windows. Just buy before boarding if you value your finances and your sanity, because that $8 dollar fee does not care about your journey.
What if I do not have a smartphone
You do not need one to travel. Buy a paper ticket, or use an OMNY card you reload with cash. Paper does not require charging, updating, or begging your phone to turn back on at 3 percent.
Will ticket booths disappear
Not immediately. Subway booth workers are being shifted into more customer support roles, helping with OMNY issues, directions and accessibility. They are still present, just less like box office staff and more like travel guides without the matching shirts.
On the LIRR and Metro North side, staffed booths will continue but likely fewer over time. They are not disappearing overnight, but eventually seeing a ticket agent may feel like spotting rare wildlife joyful and confusing at the same time.
Kids travel cheaper
Children ages 5 through 17 ride for 1 dollar with a paying adult. A tiny win for families who already deserve hazard pay.
Tolls are going up
All MTA tolls increase 7.5 percent for both E ZPass and Tolls by Mail. Queens, Bronx and Staten Island residents keep their rebates. We are paying more to sit in the same traffic. Nothing new. Growth requires acceptance.
In short
Cash still works No smartphone required Booths are not disappearing just yet Fares are rising a little Fare caps help On board fees are emotionally damaging but avoidable: Activate your ticket before your butt hits the seat, NYC commuting remains exactly what it has always been, a daily workout for your patience, a test of your budgeting and a source of stories you will tell for the rest of your life.
Affordable Chelsea Co-op Lottery Opens | 21 Units for Sale
What If You Could Buy in Chelsea?
Affordable homeownership in Manhattan always sounds like something your cousin’s friend’s neighbor heard about once, but nobody actually sees in real life. Well, surprise this time it’s real, and the door just cracked open for middle-income New Yorkers who thought buying in Chelsea was about as likely as finding a parking spot in SoHo on a Saturday.
The newest affordable housing lottery at 170 West 22nd Streetis offering 21 co-op units starting at $385,865, and yes, I know in 2026, that number looks like a typo. But stay with me.
A Chelsea Home… For Regular People? Stop. Really.
Let’s set the scene: Chelsea. Manhattan. Art galleries. Gelato. That one friend who swears they “manifested” their apartment. And right in the middle of it all
a brand-new nine-story co-op rising where four neglected buildings once stood.
After decades of back-and-forth development and more plot twists than a telenovela, the project was taken over by Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), who actually finished it and kept it affordable. Bless them.
And unlike most Manhattan real estate headlines, this one doesn’t involve billionaires, offshore shell companies, or someone buying a penthouse just for their dog. No. This is for middle-income New Yorkers earning real New York incomes, not Monopoly money.
So Who Qualifies? The Income Bands Look Like This:
Single person: $103,820–$124,740
Two people: Up to $142,560
Three people: Up to $160,380
Four to five people: Up to $192,500
If your household lands anywhere in that range, this might be your shot. No games.
Now Let’s Talk About That Down Payment
Here’s where affordability meets reality:
You only need 3% down.
Yes three percent. But that money must be sitting in your account for three full months before your eligibility interview.
Translation: This is not the moment to Venmo request your aunt or move money around like you’re laundering it on “Ozark.” The funds must be seasoned, stable, and chilling in your account like they live there.
So What Exactly Are You Getting?
A building with:
A shared terrace with views that say “Look Ma, I made it!”
A landscaped courtyard for quiet moments
On-site laundry (because lugging laundry through NYC builds character, but we’re tired)
A bike room
An elevator
Security cameras
Smoke-free environment
Energy-efficient appliances
It’s not “luxury,” but it’s smart, solid, and beautifully designed for actual people, not investors.
What if this isn’t just another headline you scroll past? What if this is the moment everyday New Yorkers finally get a shot at homeownership in one of Manhattan’s most iconic neighborhoods?
For once, the door’s not just cracked – it’s wide open.
Aging and Cancer, One Mission: I traveled to New York City for the 28th annual Collaboration for a Cure, hosted by the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation and The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research. Inside the stunning Apella at Riverpark, overlooking the East River, I witnessed something remarkable, the official launch of the Samuel Waxman Institute for Aging and Cancer merger, the first institute in the world dedicated to studying aging and cancer together.
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 22: Marion Waxman and Samuel Waxman attend SWCRF 28th Annual Gala at Apella on October 22, 2025 in New York. (Photo by Paul Bruinooge/PMC/PMC) *** Local Caption *** Marion Waxman;Samuel Waxman
It wasn’t just another gala. It was intimate, inspiring, and deeply personal a night that blended science, compassion, and community; Aging and Cancer, one mission. And as I sat there surrounded by brilliant scientists, generous philanthropists, and powerful stories, I thought about how moments like this deserve to be shared not just in New York City, but across the Hamptons and beyond.
When Aging and Cancer, Collide
Let’s have a real talk moment. According to the National Cancer Institute, advancing age is the most important risk factor for cancer overall and for many individual cancer types.Read more at cancer.gov
That means as we live longer, which is a blessing our bodies naturally change. Our cells slow down in repairing themselves, our immune systems weaken, and our defenses against disease fade.(Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center)
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 22: Christine Schoenfeld, Ryan Schoenfeld, Samuel Waxman, Amaia Lujambio and Maddie Fichter attend SWCRF 28th Annual Gala at Apella on October 22, 2025 in New York. (Photo by Paul Bruinooge/PMC/PMC) *** Local Caption *** Christine Schoenfeld;Ryan Schoenfeld;Samuel Waxman;Amaia Lujambio;Maddie Fichter
Dr. Samuel Waxman said it best:“You shouldn’t have to pay the penalty of getting cancer just because you’re living longer.”
That line hit me hard. We all want to live long, healthy lives; but longevity shouldn’t come with the fear of illness. That’s exactly why this new institute matters. It’s about finding ways to live longer and better. This is why Research Is Vital for the World
OCTOBER 23: Robert Wiener, Samuel Waxman, Jean Shafiroff and Jeffrey Settleman attend 2025/10/swcrf-28th-annual-gala/tizuYKeJ7b on October 23, 2025. (Photo by Paul Bruinooge/PMC/PMC) *** Local Caption *** Robert Wiener;Samuel Waxman;Jean Shafiroff;Jeffrey Settleman
Here’s Where It Gets Real.
The World Health Organization estimates that cancer cases are expected to double by 2030 not because people are unhealthier, but because they’re living longer. Read more at WHO
Develop treatments that target the root causes of disease.
Help people enjoy longer, stronger, healthier lives.
This isn’t just about adding years to life it’s about adding life to years. One of the most moving moments of the evening came from Jean Shafiroff, honored as Philanthropist of the Year.
OCTOBER 23: Samuel Waxman and Jean Shafiroff attend 2025/10/swcrf-28th-annual-gala/tizuYKeJ7b on October 23, 2025. (Photo by Paul Bruinooge/PMC/PMC) *** Local Caption *** Samuel Waxman;Jean Shafiroff
Jean shared her personal connection with Dr. Waxman, recalling how he cared for her father during his cancer journey. She spoke about the love, compassion, and customized plan he created for her dad a doctor who treated his patients like family. You could feel the emotion ripple through the room.
Then Robert Wiener, Chairman Emeritus of Maxx Properties and fellow Philanthropist of the Year, shared his story. He spoke about his wife’s battle with cancer and how Dr. Waxman’s care brought both healing and hope to his family. It was a raw reminder that behind every research grant and lab breakthrough are real people, loved ones, memories, and lives changed forever.
OCTOBER 23: Robert Wiener and Samuel Waxman attend 2025/10/swcrf-28th-annual-gala/tizuYKeJ7b on October 23, 2025. (Photo by Paul Bruinooge/PMC/PMC) *** Local Caption *** Robert Wiener;Samuel Waxman
Collaboration Over Competition
One Mission: For nearly three decades, Collaboration for a Cure has been the Waxman Foundation’s rallying cry. And this year, that spirit took on new meaning; Aging and cancer, one mission. By joining forces with The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research, Dr. Waxman and his team have built something extraordinary; a collaboration that bridges disciplines, institutions, and continents. But here’s the truth: federal funding for cancer research has been steadily declining. That’s where philanthropy steps in where people like Jean, Robert, and countless others make innovation possible.
At this year’s event, every dollar donated was matched dollar-for-dollar by The Mark Foundation, doubling the impact. That’s not just generosity, that’s strategy for change. $1.6 Million was raised for Cancer Research at Waxman Foundation Gala.
The Science with Soul
Here’s what scientists are discovering about the link between aging and cancer and why it matters:
Cellular Senescence: Aging cells stop dividing but refuse to die, sending inflammatory signals that can promote tumors.
DNA Damage: Over time, our repair systems weaken, allowing mutations to linger.
Immune Decline: The immune system slows, letting abnormal cells slip by undetected.
Metabolic Shifts: Older cells process energy differently sometimes feeding cancer instead of fighting it.
The goal isn’t just to treat cancer, but to teach the body to resist it. That’s the future not just reacting, but preventing.
A Night of Purpose and Flavor
Now, let’s talk about something I rarely say after attending dozens of events this year, the food was delicious; out of all the galas I’ve attended in 2025, this was hands down one of the best meals I’ve had. I chose the Branzino Livornese, perfectly seasoned and paired with couscous, kale, and a touch of sweet from raisins and almonds. It was light yet flavorful, the kind of dish that reminds you why details matter. From start to finish, every plate was beautifully crafted, reflecting the same care and excellence that defined the evening itself; because let’s be honest when science meets soul and good food, that’s a full-circle experience.
From the Hamptons to the World
As someone rooted in the Hamptons, I always look for the connection between local hearts and global impact. The Hamptons is a place full of passionate people, individuals who care deeply about community, health, and giving back. Many of the same faces supporting our local housing initiatives, schools, and wellness programs are also standing behind organizations like the Waxman Foundation.
This night reminded me that generosity isn’t bound by geography. What happens in a ballroom in New York City can ripple through Sag Harbor, East Hampton, and all the way across the globe.
Real Talk, Real People.
What I witnessed on this night wasn’t just science, it was love in motion. It was proof that when compassion meets innovation, and when people put their hearts where their hope is, anything is possible. Aging and Cancer, One Mission was more than a theme, it was the heartbeat of the evening. Philanthropist and TV personality Jean Shafiroff, Robert Wiener, Chairman Emeritus of Maxx Properties, and Jeff Settleman, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Director of Oncology Research and Development at Pfizer, each brought a powerful connection to the cause, personal, philanthropic, and scientific. Together, they demonstrated what happens when leadership and lived experience join forces with groundbreaking research. The Samuel Waxman Institute for Aging and Cancer represents a new chapter in the fight for healthier, longer lives; one powered by collaboration, care, and community.
From the city skyline to the shores of the Hamptons and beyond, this is what it looks like when science serves humanity; because aging is inevitable, but cancer doesn’t have to be.
Brooklyn was alive last night! The New York Women’s Foundation knows how to create a moment of delicious food, a beautiful venue, and dancers who had the whole room in motion. You could feel the energy from the door a mix of power, grace, and that signature New York confidence.
This wasn’t just another event. It was a vibe. The 31st Annual Neighborhood Dinner at Industry City was intimate, inspiring, and filled with women whose energy matched my own, bold, grounded, unstoppable.
I loved catching up with my good friend Kathleen Tait, one of the Foundation’s newest board members. She’s stepping into her role with strength and heart, the kind of woman who reminds you why it’s important to show up.
The honorees: Linda Goode Bryant, Lorena Kourousias, Luisa Navarro, Stacey Cumberbatch, and Brennan Gang were nothing short of extraordinary. Real women making real impact, right here in our city.
The food? Incredible. The entertainment? A whole mood. The company? Soul-nourishing.
Earlier this year, I attended a breakfast for The Foundation, but this one hit different it felt personal. Like being part of something bigger, something real. A trip absolutely worth my time.
If you don’t already know about The New York Women’s Foundation, it’s one of the most powerful forces for change in this city. They’ve awarded over $133 million to more than 500 grassroots organizations that empower women, girls, and gender-expansive people building equity, opportunity, and leadership from the ground up. They don’t just talk about impact they fund it, they nurture it, and they celebrate it.
OCTOBER 9: Brennan Gang, Stacey Cumberbatch, Ana Oliveira, Lorena Kourousias, Linda Goode Bryant and Luisa Navarro attend NYWF Neighborhood Dinner Brooklyn on October 9, 2025. (Photo by Paul Bruinooge/PMC/PMC) *** Local Caption *** Brennan Gang;Stacey Cumberbatch;Ana Oliveira;Lorena Kourousias;Linda Goode Bryant;Luisa Navarro
All Rights Reserved
If you’re inspired (and I know you are), get involved: 👉 Visit www.nywf.org 👉 Follow them on IG @nywomensfdn 👉 Learn more about their grantees and upcoming events at nywf.org/nd2025-reflections
Because when women come together with purpose and passion… the whole room shifts.
Real talk, I left Brooklyn inspired, full, and reminded that courage really is contagious.
Photos by Kurt Leggard, click here to see the full gallery.
