Harlem Arts Honors Their Own

HARLEM - HARLEM Arts Alliance (HAA) honored extraordinary members at their 3rd Annual Membership Celebration at the Dwyer Cultural Center. Over 100 members came out to honor fellow members and the work they provide to the community. Michael Unthank, Executive Director of HARLEM Arts Alliance told award recipients that the work they are doing is shaping and molding our community and the future ,”The work our artists are producing is a representation of Harlem Culture, as well as the story of so many different cultures. It is a representation of human kind.”

Kim George,Associate Director, HARLEM Arts Alliance, Laura Gadson, Darryl Lacy, Deloris Garland, Juanita Evans and Michael Unthank, Executive Director, HARLEM < at HARLEM Arts Alliance Membership Celebration at the Dwyer Cultural Center

Students from Harlem Children's Zone Learn To Earn Program

Hans E. Hageman, Hans Hageman & Associates, LLC

Michael Unthank, HARLEM Arts Alliance Executive Director and Yvonne Orji, Host, MC of Membership Celebration

Award Recipients

Kwame Brathwaite, Career Achievement Award
A long time activist, photographer and expert on the history of jazz in NYC; born in Harlem. Kwame Braithwaite became interested in photography from a friend and a relative who attended the NY Institute of Photography. Over his 30-year career Kwame has photographed many in the education, political and entertainment field and has traveled extensively throughout the world documenting countless momentous events during the 20th & 21st century.

Laura Gadson, Artist Development Award
Harlem based artist and educator Laura R. Gadson is known for her work in the art of quilting and for coordinating events for fellow artists. Her Harlem brownstone serves as her studio and private gallery.

Darryl Lacy, Community and Culture Award
Actor Darryl Lacy founded DARRYL LACY (DL) PRODUCTIONS in New York City in 1987 and has directed and produced seven plays since its inception including his latest piece Nikki G: A Portrait of Nikki Giovanni in Her Own Words.

Lenore Browne, Arts and Action Award
Her passion lies in black and white imagery that she captures and prints in a traditional wet darkroom. In 2008, Browne returned to the darkroom to study at the Educational Alliance, NYC, and create silver gelatin archival black and white prints.

Deloris Garland, Volunteer Award
After retiring from Radio City Music Hall in 2009, Deloris has committed to working 1 day a week in the HARLEM Arts Allianceoffice. She also assists during Harlem Week and the Kwanzaa Marketplace at the American Museum of Natural History.

About HARLEM Arts Alliance

HARLEM Arts Alliance (HAA) is a not-for-profit service organization committed to the development of artists and arts organizations in Harlem and its surrounding communities. Comprised of over 750 individual artists and arts organizations, HAA plays an essential role by helping to build the resources, network, and capacity of its richly diverse membership. Counted among its members are young emerging artists as well as established and internationally recognized artists. Also represented are small grassroots organizations and major cultural institutions in Harlem and beyond. In addition, HAA maintains strong partnerships with numerous arts organization and institutions throughout New York State, the region and the nation to maintain vital collaborative efforts to promote the arts in communities.