We’ve always said that The Bronx never stopped creating, we’ve been a force in the world of the arts regardless of what discipline and last night victory came to The Bronx by way of the film ‘Moonlight’ winning the Oscar for best movie. 
And his name is Jharrel Jerome, the 19 year old actor and Bronxite who plays the younger adolescent Kevin, one of the leading characters in Moonlight, a movie chronicling the life a black, gay male, Chiron. 

Vibe writes, in an interview with Jharrel Jerome:

A late-night spliff is passed between an adolescent Chiron and his only apparent friend Kevin (played by Jharrel Jerome), as the two engage in a dreamy exchange at the beach. By the time their high sets in – halfway reeling from the hard realities of living in the ghetto – Kevin pulls in for the kind of embrace Chiron has always yearned for but knew wasn’t culturally accepted. It’s the second stage of Barry Jenkins’ brilliantly tender film Moonlight, and Kevin – outwardly machista and cis hetero – is presented for the first time as someone queer or bisexual. In this space, neither one struggles with identity and both slip into more liberated versions of themselves—however fleeting. Kevin later emerges a complicated character, one who ultimately betrays Chiron to keep from being treated an outcast.

Jerome, who was raised in the Bronx and is of Dominican descent, initially grappled with connecting to his character. As someone not from Miami, and more, who identifies as “straight,” Jerome was tasked with finding other portals to Kevin’s heart. The nuance and duplicity of his on-screen persona, it turns out, is something the 19-year-old is far too acquainted with as a black Latino from the inner-city, coming up in a less familiar world of performing arts.

I realized that it was my job to fill Kevin’s shoes. I realized that I’m out here to tell a story for people who need to hear this story. —Jharrel

“I was that Latino kid in school. I grew up as the kid wearing the baggy pants and the hoodies. I was from the Bronx, you know, but speaking that Spanish dialect, and these people from Manhattan—they’ve never heard that before,” says Jerome, whose arrival at LaGuardia High School in the Upper West Side was initially met with a sense of displacement.

In the rest of the interview he discusses about some of the struggles of growing up in The Bronx and how his family was his bedrock that provided the nurture he needed to chase his dreams and not get caught up in the drama that is so easy to do in our borough. 

What’s truly refreshing about Jerome is to see that despite his wanting to escape The Bronx, he’s constantly mentioning his roots on social media shouting out that he’s a proud Bronxite. 
Well, we’re proud of you too, Jharrel, and we wish you nothing but the best and look forward to the day you receive your very own Oscar! 

It should come to nobody’s surprise that when Majora Carter and crew are met with opposition, she stoops to bullying and flat out harassment.

Recently, she began an attack against a Bronx feminist group, Odiosas, for alerting a group that was scheduled to appear at her Hunts Point cafe on Carter’s policies on pushing polluting industries on our communities and her pro gentrification stance.

We, as South Bronx Unite, issued the following statement:
South Bronx Unite Stands in Solidarity with Hydro Punk and Las Odiosas – Attacked for Principled Stance against Self-Gentrification

Recently, HydroPunk, in coordination with local feminist group, Las Odiosas, withdrew from a scheduled appearance at Majora Carter’s Boogie Down Grind coffee shop in Hunts Point in objection to Majora’s “self-gentrification” initiatives. The groups have now described harassment by Majora and her husband, James Chase, in response to their position.

South Bronx Unite has, likewise, experienced the aggressive tactics of the Majora Carter Group and affiliated entities in connection with our opposition to a $140 million subsidy to FreshDirect to relocate to Mott Haven-Port Morris, adding 1,000 additional diesel truck trips through our “asthma alley” neighborhood every day and relying on a 21 year old environmental impact statement.

Majora and James told us they would charge $500/hr to talk with us about environmental justice in the South Bronx, while chasing FreshDirect for a contract to assist in the diesel trucking company’s entrance into the community.

They created a shadow twitter account called “South Bronx Untie” to confuse our followers.

They tried to foment division by dangling opportunities for access and visibility (ie TedX) and setting up private meetings between local EJ orgs and the FreshDirect CEO without inviting us.  Most of this was unsuccessful – even Majora’s own Sustainable South Bronx wound up supporting our position.

And they bullied and threatened lawsuits against community members critical of Majora’s role with FreshDirect.

Ultimately, Majora’s one year contract wasn’t renewed with FreshDirect, but the damage and division she carelessly fostered for her own personal gain remains breathtaking.

Hydro Punk made a conscious decision to withdraw from hosting their event at Majora’s business, and that should be respected.

*****

 FreshDirect Hires Majora Carter to Round Up Local Support
for Bronx Move (DNAInfo, 10/1/12) – “Carter spent several weeks this summer
“kicking the tires” at FreshDirect before signing a one-year contract to help
the company”

https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20121001/hunts-point/freshdirect-hires-majora-carter-round-up-local-support-for-bronx-move

 FreshDirect hires
Majora Carter (Mott Haven Herald, 9/28/12)

“Carter has a one-year contract to consult with FreshDirect
said Chase [Majora’s husband]. He bristled when asked how much she was being
paid. ‘They’re a private company and so is the Majora Carter Group. It’s
nobody’s business,’ he said.” http://www.motthavenherald.com/2012/09/28/freshdirect-hires-majora-carter/

 Hero of the Bronx Is
Now Accused of Betraying It (NYT, 4/4/13)

“Because she [Majora Carter] had started her career fighting
truck traffic, he [Mychal Johnson] believed she would share their concerns
about traffic and pollution from the relocated fleet of delivery trucks. But as
he waited on the sidewalk to ask for her help, an office worker opened the door
just wide enough to tell him to put his request in writing. More than a week
passed after Mr. Johnson and his group, South Bronx Unite, sent an e-mail
inviting Ms. Carter to meet. Then the answer arrived. She would be happy to
meet — for her usual rate of $500 for new clients.” http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/05/nyregion/a-hero-of-the-bronx-majora-carter-is-now-accused-of-betraying-it.html

‘Environmental
racism’: Bronx activists decry Fresh Direct’s impact on air quality
(Guardian, 3/9/15) – “White and minority Americans breathe different quality
air, with the latter exposed to 38% higher levels of nitrogen dioxide. And it
is decisions like the one to place trucking operations for Fresh Direct in the
Bronx, says activist group South Bronx Unite, that exacerbate the problem.”

444 E 149th Street, directly adjacent to The Opera House Hotel where Mexicozina Restaurant once thrived, was purchased by the owners of the Opera House Hotel last March for $500,000. (Sadly the beloved restaurant with the amazing space was displaced <aka gentrification > but at least they were able to stay in the neighborhood just 4 blocks away also on 149th Street near Lincoln Hospital). 
Plans were filed last week for a 9 story, 31 room extension to the successful Opera House Hotel. 

Back on August 2013 when the hotel opened, many were skeptical that a hotel would thrive in the area and feared that it would become just another homeless shelter, or drug and prostitution hotbed. 

But occupancy determined that indeed there was a need and market for a hotel of this caliber in the South Bronx not just for tourists both domestic and international, but also for those visiting families in The Bronx—and yes, even Bronxites looking for a staycation. 

Since the Opera House is a landmark building, it will be curious to see the renderings for their extension and if it will blend in with the original architecture or just another modern wing. 

I guess all this hotel activity in the area will be able to accommodate the flock of tourists expected after The New York Times declared the South Bronx as One of 52 Places to Go in 2017. <insert sarcasm>

A consortium of New York City artists, tired of being pushed out of neighborhoods across the city as they gentrify, banded together—along with their finances—and purchased a prime piece of real estate in the South Bronx neighborhood of Melrose for $1,150,000 last month to develop a vacant lot into a 7 story condo for artists. 

The lot, located at 368 E 152nd Street is just 3 short blocks to the 2 and 5 line at 3rd Avenue and 149th Street and sits adjacent to a NYCHA building with a senior center.

Michelle Gambetta, founder of ArtCondo who also happens to be a real estate agent, says they’re hoping to break ground as early as April on the 20 unit condominium development that will also include workspaces for artists in the basement and a community facility of undetermined use as of yet.

According to the organization’s website, 

“ArtCondo is a community-driven real estate enterprise that helps creative individuals purchase and develop buildings collectively, in partnership with neighborhood residents. We help creative workers leverage their collective buying power and sweat equity to create mixed-income creative communities which are effectively interwoven with surrounding neighborhoods.

ArtCondo’s overall purpose is to help New York City’s working artists to become financially stable property owners anchored in their communities, so they can continue to enrich the city’s cultural heritage without fear of losing their housing and/or workspace.”

Right now, depending on size, the units were looking at a price tag of $175,000 to $700,000 which is above anything else selling in the area with the exception of BronxBricks, the first condo conversion in The South Bronx back in 2007.

Gambetta’s hope is that this approach can somehow help artists get spaces as gentrification continues pushing prices up but at these price points for the units, which still isn’t a definite, it will be out of reach for most Bronx artists.

Prospective qualifying purchasers will be required to put down an all cash down payment.

As it currently stands, the original artists who pooled their resources aren’t from The Bronx (although Michelle Gambetta’s family goes back three generations in our borough)  and many local residents question who is this really for? Who will it benefit at those prices?

Gambetta wants as many local artists and creatives to inquire on how to get in on the development.

While the concept in theory sounds great, this will only speed up gentrification and continue to push values above market rate at speculative prices and in turn, further out of reach of Bronxites.

To learn more, head on over to ArtCondo’s website and feel free to reach out to Michelle Gambetta.

This article was corrected 2/9/2017 at 2:29PM EST to reflect that the lower price is $175,000 not $300,000.

A politician who lies about their record? In The Bronx? 

That would never happen here, right? 

That’s precisely what Democratic New York State Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, who’s running for City Council this year, did in a mailer touting his “…fight for women’s rights,” and a “…powerful voice for women and families.”

But there’s one big problem: Gjonaj voted AGAINST the ‘Women’s Equality Act’. 

This shouldn’t be a surprise as he’s supported Republicans like Senator John McCain with $7,000 in campaign contributions and he also contributed $1,000 to then Congressman John Sweeney’s campaign in 2006 where he lost to now Senator Kristen Gillibrand. 

In the 2000 presidential election, Sweeney was referred to as “Congressman kick ass” due to his roll in shutting down the Miami-Dade ballot recount in Florida handing presidency to Bush. 

John Doyle, who’s also running for the same city Council District 13 seat being vacated by the term-limited Jimmy Vacca as Gjonaj said to us, “Today’s news is just another example of why we shouldn’t look to Albany for leadership on any issue but particularly those related to women’s health.  Bronx voters are as smart as they are tough; they see through this double talk.”

Doyle, a well known activist and established community leader from City Island added in a statement to Welcome2TheBronx that, “My record is clear, I’ve worked throughout this state to elect pro-choice State Senators in areas throughout New York where such a position isn’t always popular.”

When asked what he’d do for women’s rights and equality, he added, “Other candidates in this race have donated to the opponents of women’s equality.  That’s a clear choice and I’m running for City Council to expand on our progress- to fully fund Planet Parenthood if President Trump and Congressional Republicans threaten Planned Parenthood’s operations, I vow to fight for for full contraceptive coverage options for all women…”

He also understands the need for more balance in government with more women representation. 

“I support and know the dire need to promote qualified women running for office, that’s why I’ve made financial contributions towards two of my colleagues in government who I feel have the experience to make a difference. We need proven grassroots leaders who are committed to protecting and expanding opportunities for women.” said Doyle on the issue. 

In a crowded race, it will be interesting who emerges from the primaries later this year. 

John Doyle isn’t part of the establishment, he isn’t the status quo,and has a proven track record as a grass-roots leader trusted by the community  which is why we happily support his campaign.

Amidst all the “affordable” housing and market rate developments going up in the South Bronx, it’s the rise of hotels that is starting to saturate the market. 
The property at 646 Gerard Avenue at 151st Street is slated to be a four story hotel 18,000 square foot hotel with an undisclosed number of rooms directly facing New York City’s Homeless Intake Center.

Its proximity to 149th and Grand Concourse subway station on the 2,4, and 5 lines makes it attractive to barging hunting tourists who don’t want to pay the high cost of lodging in Manhattan. . 

First of course there was Mi Casa Tu Casa Bed and Breakfast followed by another at The Andrew Freedman along the Grand Concourse. 

Then came The Opera House Hotel, The Bronx’s first luxury boutique hotel followed by yet another luxury boutique hotel, The Umbrella, both in Melrose. 

Comfort Inn in Mott Haven on Third Avenue and 135th is nearing completion followed by another yet to be named hotel on 146th Street and Exterior which is also almost complete. 

These hotels don’t only cater to tourists but to families as well visiting from out of town. 
I guess if the South Bronx is one of the 52 Places to Go in 2017 according to The New York Times, there’ll be sufficient lodging in the area. 

Just don’t go by their crummy list— support truly local businesses with Bronx roots. 

Awol Erizku, who was born in Ethiopia and raised in The Bronx, shot the picture of Beyoncé announcing her pregnancy with twins that broke the Guinness World Record for most Instagram likes—9.1 million likes at the moment. 

Erizku is a graduate of Yale’s MFA program in 2014 and his works covers a range of disciplines from paintings to sculptures, and photography and his works have been on display at the Museum of Modern Art here in the city. 

Awol Erizku / ©Photo by Megan McIsaac for Artsy

This isn’t Beyoncé’s first connection with a Bronx artist. 

She has been commissioning pieces from fashion designer Jerome LaMaar, who runs the Port Morris boutique, 9J as well as for her sister Solange and mother Tina Knowles. 

Who says art is coming back to The Bronx? It never left and we never stopped creating. 

Who says you can’t go green? 

Urban Health Plan, one of the best health care providers in The Bronx (ok so I might be a little biased since it’s where I go but they really are quite amazing), has installed a solar panel wall to make the already LEED Gold Certified even greener. 

The solar  wall was installed along the side of the building and is expected to produce about 10% of Urban Health Plan’s Simpson Pavillion’s energy needs. 

Plus, it will save UHP approximately $230,000 over the course of 25 years. That’s $9,200 that it can redirect to many of the wellness programs offered there. 

Villa Maria Academy Open House! Click for more details!

Solar Reviews wrote: “We’re a progressive organization, so everything we do—from providing care, to employing people to our energy efficiency efforts—we do the best we can,” said Paloma Izquierdo-Hernandez, president and CEO of Urban Health Plan. “Adding this distinctive solar system not only helps our environment; it saves money that we can put back into services for our community.”

Not to shabby for The Bronx but it shouldn’t be a surprise as we’re home to the only LEED Certified Neighborhood. 

Although there are many folks who deny that climate change is happening, including President Donald Trump and his administration, despite the plethora of scientific evidence, we already are experiencing its deadly impact—and things don’t look like they’ll get any better. 

For four years, scientists have been studying salt marshes in Pelham Bay Park, New York City’s largest park, and have been able to reach back in time to over 1,500 years to see what sea levels were once like in the area. 

The study confirmed that sea levels are indeed rising and faster than they have in the past 1,500 years but also showed that disastrous flooding in the near future for our region is likelier than previously anticipated. 

Villa Maria Academy Open House! Click for more details!

Embedded in the dirt that was dug up was dug up is the story of humanity and its impact on the environment from the industrial revolution to nuclear testing was found in the samples. 

According to the original article in The New York Times: 

“But in revealing the threat to New York City specifically, the study, which was published online in the scientific journal The Holocene this month, also confirms fears that the region is on a course to realize dire projections set for the next few decades. More than $25 billion worth of infrastructure will be under direct threat from flooding through the coming decades, scientists believe, including seven hospitals, 183 hazardous waste sites and the homes of nearly 100,000 people.”

Time is running out and now with a Washington DC being run by climate change skeptics and deniers, our future is even murkier than these marshes themselves. 

Melrose, Mott Haven, and Hunts Point in the South Bronx have seen a rise of 10%-15% during 2016 for rents for 1 bedroom units according to Zumper, a real estate listing site, as overall rents of similar units in NYC have dropped 9.1%

Hunts Point saw the biggest jump in NYC during 2016 with a 14% increase to $1,260 a month which shouldn’t come as a surprise as the gentrification vultures continue descend upon us. 

Over in Mott Haven, average 1 bedroom units are up by 13% to $1,480.

But all of this data doesn’t necessarily show the entire picture as these are based on listings in a database and may miss out on units that are much higher AND much lower than Zumper is reporting. 

As more new developments complete construction in the area, rents are surely to continue an upwards trend unless the housing market crashes again.  Villa Maria Academy Open House! Click for more details!

A poor sick kitty broke into someone’s Bronx apartment by walking in through an open window. 

According to the Huffington Post, Zebro, as he’s now known as,  was in pretty bad shape, scrawny, dehydrated, and suffering from several infections.

After the NYPD picked him up, he was transported to a kill shelter but as luck would have it, Empty Cages Collective, an animal advocacy group, swooped in to the rescue and took him to one of their partner vets where they were able to begin treatment on this 13 year old brave senior. 

Now Zebro is enjoying the good life as he recuperates at the home of Kenia Castellanos who runs ECC’s Hudson Valley location and you can see the changes from all the tender loving care he’s received since his daring break-in. 
Castellanos said that he’ll be up for adoption soon but may require special care for the rest of his golden years. 

We hope he finds a loving forever home soon!