Article: NY Watch

Did the owners of Ortanique On The Mile make a baby mama out of Old World Caribbean cooking or did they marry it with New World flair and birth a style of cooking to influence future generations?

You could say that I am Douglas Elliman’s Harlem expert, although, I sell and have sold, properties throughout the city, from Tribeca to Washington Heights. I just happen to know Harlem. I know the groove of Harlem, the rhythm of Harlem and the feel of Harlem. I remember a time when people were scared to come to Harlem but that no longer applies. I also like the fact that many black people are able to buy property in Harlem, says Jhones

Willie Kathryn Suggs is widely regarded as an expert on the Upper Manhattan real estate market. As founder of the company that bears her name, she has been at the forefront of the major sales. The surge in Harlem property value continues; in August 2002, a home sold for $2 million and another one for $2.05 million in August last year. “This is not to say that every house in Harlem is selling for $2 million,� Suggs cautions.

Yolanda’s ability to see potential and value in a space is uncanny, and she enthusiastically shares her vision with just the right potential buyers. Extremely knowledgeable of the entire Harlem marketplace, Yolanda helps those seeking houses as well as apartments understand the intricacies involved in pursuing property there, and she effectively guides them through each step to assure the best outcome.

M’Baye urges Harlem residents to become more proactive in order to hold on to their properties and even acquire more properties. People need to learn about the different types of mortgages available, and how to improve their credit scores. “I want people to know that even though they may not be walking around with cash to offer $1.5 million for a brownstone, there are still ways of being a part of the game," M’Baye

Joelle has catered corporate holiday parties, countless weddings and other events. Socially aware, she sometimes hosts political fundraisers at her spacious Victorian home where her guests rave about her fabulous cooking skills.
Her “brides� are often showcased in the society pages of The New York Times. She has been featured in the New York Daily News, the New York Post and other publications.

Here are some pointers to help prevent you from living back at Mom’s in your old room. a) Get your business plan together. This goes hand in hand with Fear number one: Failure. Because the more you have dissected what you need to do, the more realistic things will be for you. b) Get your Side-Hustle going! Start small with projects after work and on weekends. You can test the waters to see if your business is even worth expanding. A slow transition is key.

Hawthorne was recognized by the CUNY community as a distinguished alumnus who constantly gives back to his alma mater, Bronx Community College. Recently the businessman launched a series of scholarships valued at over $25,000 to BCC. His company, Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery and Grill is also instrumental in giving scholarships to high schools students to pursue higher education

Hartman, a veteran in the publishing industry, founded N’DIGO in December 1989 as a monthly lifestyle "magapaper" highlighting Chicago’s Black leaders and newsmakers. Under Hartman’s leadership the circulation has grown from a 50,000 circulation publication to a weekly readership of 625,000 making it the number one African-American weekly in the country. Staying focused on the mantra: Power, Substance, Style, a signature that defined the old SaVoy, the new SaVoy is provocative with compelling editorial content that has a unique level of sophistication.

Evans’ expertise has been engaged by top companies including: Ford Motor Company, AVIS, Kraft Foods, Burger King, Ortho McNeil, Ortho-Biotech, Jansen Pharmaceuticals, the United Nations Summit Closing Concert at Madison Square Garden