Harlem-Centric Books for Black History Month

Summary

Podcast Summary: All Of It – Episode: Harlem-Centric Books for Black History Month

Host: Alison Stewart
Guest: Dana Bellow, Librarian at County Cullen Branch, New York Public Library
Release Date: February 18, 2025
Duration: Approximately 27 minutes

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Introduction

In this episode of All Of It, hosted by Alison Stewart, the focus is on celebrating Black History Month through a literary exploration of Harlem's rich cultural and historical landscape. The episode delves into a curated collection of books that either take place in Harlem, are inspired by it, or are authored by Harlem residents. Dana Bellow, a librarian from the County Cullen Branch of the New York Public Library (NYPL) and a partner with the Schomburg Center, joins Alison to discuss the Harlem Community Collection and its significance.

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Harlem: A Cultural Epicenter

Alison Stewart opens the discussion by highlighting Harlem's pivotal role in Black history:

"It's famously known for the birthplace of the Harlem Renaissance in the '20s and became a hotbed of civil rights activism in the '60s and '70s. After falling during its decline in the '80s due to urban blight, it's once again revived itself as a culinary and arts destination." ([02:00])

Harlem has been a resilient community, continuously evolving while maintaining its cultural heritage. This enduring spirit is encapsulated in the newly established Harlem Community Collection at the NYPL.

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The Harlem Community Collection

Dana Bellow provides an overview of the Harlem Community Collection:

"The Harlem Community Collection, located in three branches, was a collection donated by Friends of the Webster Library and was carefully curated by librarians." ([03:05])

This collection features a diverse range of books catering to children, young adults, and adults, showcasing Harlem's legacy through literature. Notable authors include Maya Angelou, Faith Ringgold, James Baldwin, Zora Neale Hurston, and Walter Dean Myers.

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Featured Books and Recommendations

The episode features several listener recommendations and expert insights into key Harlem-centric books:

1. Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

Caller Nick from Manhasset praises this novel:

"It's the greatest American novel ever written... everyone should read that novel." ([04:49])

Dana emphasizes its significance in portraying life in Harlem and its critique of racism and power structures.

2. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Dana discusses the book's connection to Harlem:

"Zora Neale Hurston was a very big patron of the Harlem Renaissance... it talks about self-discovery, love, freedom, gender roles, race, and resilience." ([07:38])

Despite being set in the South, the book resonates deeply with Harlem's themes of identity and resilience.

3. The Street by Ann Petry

Caller Edson from White Plains recommends this groundbreaking novel:

"It's the first book by a black woman to sell a million copies... it talks about black single motherhood in the '40s Harlem." ([09:08])

Alison adds:

"It's wonderful... I can't recommend it highly enough." ([09:41])

4. Harlem is Nowhere by Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts

Addison from Brooklyn introduces this contemporary work:

"It explores Harlem's literary history and social dynamics up to the Black Lives Matter protests." ([11:04])

The book intertwines personal experiences with scholarly research, offering a modern perspective on Harlem's evolution.

5. Monster by Walter Dean Myers

Dana highlights this YA novel:

"Walter Dean Myers was born and raised in Harlem... 'Monster' explores themes of guilt, perception, and identity through the protagonist Steve Harmon." ([14:43])

The book is notable for its screenplay format and its portrayal of the justice system's complexities.

6. When My Cousins Come to Town by Angela Shante & Jimmy's Rhythm and Blues by Michelle Meadows

These children's books are lauded for their heartwarming and educational content:

"They showcase the vibrant energy and diverse experiences of Harlem." ([18:49])

7. Beale Street Could Talk

Dana describes the novel's depiction of 1970s Harlem:

"Harlem was a vibrant cultural hub with jazz and soul, juxtaposed with economic struggles from the crack epidemic." ([19:47])

8. Push by Sapphire & All Shot Up by Chester Himes

Dana discusses these intense narratives:

"'Push' deals with trauma and resilience, while Chester Himes' 'All Shot Up' offers gritty crime narratives reflective of urban life's violent realities." ([21:57] & [22:56])

9. Felonious Monk by Robin D.G. Kelley & Queenie Godmother of Harlem

Listeners recommend these works for their historical and cultural depth.

10. Down the Up Staircase, Three Generations of a Harlem Family

Dana recommends this exploration of multi-generational African American experiences in Harlem.

11. Additional Recommendations

Other notable mentions include:

• A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
• Heart of Woman by Maya Angelou
• Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
• Simple by Langston Hughes

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Listener Contributions

Throughout the episode, listeners share personal connections and recommendations:

• Ann from White Plains:
  Recounts her first library card at County Cullen and her love for Langston Hughes' depiction of Harlem life.

  "It's the world that I saw or still knew." ([12:25])

• Brenda from Parsippany, NJ:
  Talks about discovering Langston Hughes through a family-run store and recommends "Harlem Shuffle" by Colson Whitehead.

  "It shows the Hotel Teresa, the Apollo... places that you know and some that no longer exist." ([20:39])

• Jean from Harlem:
  Celebrates her long-term relationship with the County Cullen Library and recommends Maya Angelou's "The Bluest Eye."

  "Maya Angelou herself was a resident of Harlem." ([24:51])

These contributions underscore the personal and communal significance of Harlem-centric literature.

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Community Initiatives

Dana Bellow mentions ongoing projects aimed at fostering a love for reading within the community:

"Black Men Read is a book club for black men to engage with literature about their experiences, encouraging young black boys to read more by seeing role models enjoy reading." ([15:43])

This initiative highlights the library's commitment to nurturing literary engagement across different demographics.

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Conclusion

Alison Stewart wraps up the segment by acknowledging the invaluable role of the County Cullen Library in preserving and promoting Harlem's literary heritage. The Harlem Community Collection serves as both a reflection and a celebration of Harlem's enduring cultural legacy, offering a diverse array of books that cater to all ages and interests.

"We're talking about Harlem Books, based in Harlem. Do you have a favorite book based in Harlem or a famous book from the Renaissance or perhaps a book that you've always wanted other people to read?" ([26:14])

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Notable Quotes

• Alison Stewart on Harlem's Resilience:

  "People have lived and worked and created art in Harlem throughout it all. Such is the spirit of a new book collection at the New York Public Library." ([02:00])

• Dana Bellow on Community Outreach:

  "We offered a lot of in-person services that helped a lot of the community... people who lived under the scaffold that we couldn't reach to get help." ([06:02])

• Caller Nick on "Invisible Man":

  "It's the greatest American novel ever written... and it's just a masterpiece." ([04:49])

• Ann from White Plains on Langston Hughes:

  "It was really sort of the world that I saw or still knew." ([12:25])

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Final Thoughts

This episode of All Of It serves as a compelling homage to Harlem's literary and cultural milestones. Through expert insights and heartfelt listener stories, Alison Stewart and Dana Bellow illuminate the profound impact of Harlem-centric literature in shaping and reflecting the community's identity. Whether you're a Harlem resident or someone looking to explore its rich history, the Harlem Community Collection offers a treasure trove of narratives that celebrate resilience, creativity, and the enduring spirit of Harlem.

Transcript

[Alison Stewart]

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[Dana Bellow]

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[Alison Stewart]

Not available in all states.

[WNYC Studios]

Listener Supported WNYC Studios.

[Dana Bellow]

This is all of It. I'm Alison Stewart live from the WNYC studios in soho. Thank you for spending part of your day with us. I'm really grateful you're here. On today's show, we'll talk to the Oscar nominated production designer for Wicked, that's Nathan Crowley. And later on we'll discuss the Subway Sun, a mid century poster series that aimed to bring strap hangers a sense of pride in their commutes. And while we're on the subject of subways, Subway Etiquette is our latest in our series, Small Stakes, Big Opinions. Comedian Josh Gondelman will be here to help take your calls on subway etiquette. From dogs on the train to buskers, including those performances known as Showtime. That's the plan. But first we'll kick things off with a literary trip uptown to explore the books of Harlem for Black History Month. This year we're focusing on the community of Harlem, a pivotal space in black history. It's famously known for the birthplace of the Harlem renaissance in the 20s and became a hotbed of civil rights activism in the 60s and 70s. After falling its decline in the 80s after urban blight, it's once again revived itself as a culinary and arts destination. But a community is people and no matter what the season, there have been stalwarts who's weathered Harlem's various storms and made a life. People have lived and worked and created art in Harlem throughout it all. Such is the spirit of a new book collection at the New York Public Library. Three branches in Harlem are offering the Community Collection, books that either take place in, inspired by or written by authors from Harlem. They span various eras and the options are there for all ages. Joining us to discuss a few books in the collection is Dana Bellow, who is a librarian at the County Cullen Branch of the nypl, which is also a partner with the Schomburg Center. Hi Dana and listeners. We want to know what your favorite book is to read. It's got to be a book based in Harlem or a favorite from the Harlem Renaissance. Or maybe you have a book that always reminds you of Harlem. Or maybe you'd like to recommend a Harlem based or raised author. Give us a call 2124-3396-9221-2433. WNYC. You can call in or you can text to that number. So, Dana, can you tell me a little bit about how the Harlem Community Collection.

[WNYC Studios]

So the Harlem Community Collection, which is located in three branches, was a collection that was donated by Friends of the Webster Library, and it was carefully curated by librarians.

[Dana Bellow]

And when you say carefully collaborated, I mean carefully curated. What do you mean?

[WNYC Studios]

I mean, librarians came together, and we selected books for children, young adults, and adults that highlight Harlem's rich cultural, literal, and historical legacy. And it includes works from many different authors, including Maya Angelou, Faith Ringgold, James Baldwin, Zora Neale Hurston, and Walter Dean Myers.

[Dana Bellow]

Now, you work at the County Cullen Library, right?

[WNYC Studios]

Yes, I do.

[Dana Bellow]

All right, for those in the back, why was County Cullen such an important figure in the community?

[WNYC Studios]

Countee Cullen was an important figure in the community. He inspired many writers, and he was also a teacher. County Cullen's current lot sits on a brownstone that used to be owned by Madam C.J. walker and her daughter, A'Lelia Walker. And they were very patrons of the Harlem Renaissance, and they turned their brownstone into a cultural hub for black artists. The literary salon was named the Dark Tower, and it became a meeting place for Harlem Renaissance greats including Langston Hughes, Jonah Hurston, Connie Cullen, and Claude McKay. Connie Cullen, who the library is named after, honored the salon's impact by writing the poem the Dark Tower, which captured its role in the Harlem Renaissance movement.

[Dana Bellow]

Let's take a call already. We've got calls coming in. This is Nick from Manhasset calling. All of it. Hey, Nick, thanks for calling. You're on the air.

[Alison Stewart]

Yes, hi. I want to recommend Invisible man by Ralph Ellison. To me, it's. It's the greatest American novel ever written. And there's some great scenes in Harlem. There's a scene where he puts on a pair of sunglasses and he's mistaken for a local neighborhood numbers runner. And another scene where he purchases a sweet potato from a street vendor. And beautifully evocative. And it's just a masterpiece. And everyone should read that novel, so I can't recommend it highly enough. Thank you.

[Dana Bellow]

Thank you, Nick, for calling. That's actually on your list of books. You have Invisible Man. Why do you think people should read it?

[WNYC Studios]

I think people should read it because it really captures what life is like for individuals growing up in Harlem and in Harlem. I think it captures what a lot of people go through and critiques racism, power structures, and it Talks about the complexities of black life in the 20th century.

[Dana Bellow]

And you mentioned actually to my producer, you felt that your library felt invisible during the pandemic. Could you explain that, please?

[WNYC Studios]

Yes, we closed during the pandemic. And during the pandemic, a lot of people couldn't receive services that the library was offering. We offered a lot of in person services that helped a lot of the community, a lot of social services that weren't available as readily as when we were open. Two years after we reopened, after the pandemic, we closed again. We've been closed currently for two years, and we've had a scaffold that has been up for longer than that that has now just come down. During that time, there was a lot of people who lived under the scaffold that we couldn't reach to get help for or things like that because of the shutdown and because we were currently close.

[Dana Bellow]

And are you open now?

[WNYC Studios]

We are now currently reopened.

[Dana Bellow]

All right, you heard it. County Cullen Library is reopened. I'm speaking with Dana Bello. She's a librarian with the County Cullen branch of the New York Public Library. We're talking about the community collection, which includes books inspired by or based in Harlem. And we're taking your calls about your favorite Harlem books and its author. Our number is 2124-3396-9221-2433, WNYC. Maybe you have a book that always reminds you of Harlem or like to Recommend Our number, 212-433-WNYC. While people call in, let's talk about some of the books on your list. You have Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God. Now this book is is set in the South. Why does this book have such a strong connection to Harlem?

[WNYC Studios]

I think it has such a strong connection to Harlem because Zora Neale Hurston was a very big patron of the Harlem Renaissance. She also was very prominent and did a lot of her research at the Schomburg and the original 135th Street Library. I think it also talks about really relevant themes that are currently going on, including self discovery, love, freedom, gender roles, race. And it also talks about resilience and Janie Crawford's resilience of self discovery.

[Dana Bellow]

It was written in 1937. What keeps her writing so relevant, so topical today?

[WNYC Studios]

I think everybody can resonate with the story of self discovery. Everyone is continuously looking to find out who they are, and they do that through love and independence and really finding your own voice.

[Dana Bellow]

The next on your list is the street, who is it by?

[WNYC Studios]

The street is by Ann Petry.

[Dana Bellow]

And tell us about Ann Petry.

[WNYC Studios]

Ann Petry was the first black woman to sell a million copies of her book. It is a book that talks about black single motherhood in the 1940s in Harlem as she also struggles against poverty, racism and sexism while she tries to find a better life for her son.

[Dana Bellow]

And the book is set in Harlem, right?

[WNYC Studios]

Yes, it is.

[Dana Bellow]

How was it received when it came out?

[WNYC Studios]

It was groundbreaking. It was one of the only books. It was the first book to sell a million copies. She was the first black woman to sell a million copies of the book. It was really well received because it talked about a lot of the things that many other people are going through and continue to go through.

[Dana Bellow]

Someone agrees with you. Let's talk to Edson on line one. Hi, Edson, thank you so much for calling, all of it.

[Alison Stewart]

Oh, thank you for taking my call. Yes, I was just trying to recommend the book that you just mentioned, the Street. It's a wonderful book by Ann Petrie. I really, really love it. The streets in Harlem 116 in Lenox and how this lady, she was domestic, working for a well to do family in long is. So she had a dream of being a singer. She had a kid, a young kid, you know, a young African American kid who got in trouble. And then what surprised me is that she left the kid and she just ran away at the end of the novel. But it's wonderful. I really recommend the street and Pear Tree.

[Dana Bellow]

Who introduced you to the street, Edson?

[Alison Stewart]

I was just reading an article a long time ago in the book section of the New York Times and I just bought a book and I had the book for many, many years. And then I said, you know what, I'm going to read this book now. And I read at the end of last year and it was wonderful, wonderful reading.

[Dana Bellow]

Thank you so much for calling in with that. Let's talk to Addison calling in from Brooklyn. Hi, Addison, you are on the air with all of it.

[Alison Stewart]

Hi, how's it going? Thanks for taking the call.

[Dana Bellow]

Yeah, sure, go for it.

[Alison Stewart]

I just wanted to bring up a book called Harlem is Nowhere by Sharifa Rhodes Pitts. And I feel like it's a little bit less talked about, but it's a more contemporary book. Sharifa Rhodes Pitts herself is from Houston. And it really explores like Harlem's literary history, the center of black America, the mecca of black American culture for such a long period of time. And it's like changing, gentrifying, like Social dynamics and the place that it holds presently in our American cultural consciousness. And it kind of weaves her experience of like a neighbor as a person on the ground with her research into black into Harlem based literary figures. And it brings us up until like the Black Lives Matter protest and George Floyd response protest in like 2019, 2020, I believe. Or maybe it's a little earlier, but anyways, it brings us very close to today. It's a great book and I feel like Harlem is nowhere. It sort of really represents its place spiritually, makes it kind of anywhere, you know, it's nowhere because it's everywhere. It's in all the.

[Dana Bellow]

Addison, thanks so much. Let's talk to Ann, who's calling in from White Plains. Hi, Ann, you're on the air.

[Alison Stewart]

Hi. Yes. Born and raised in Harlem, now living in the Bronx, working in White Plains. My first library card was at County Cullum. And I really love Langston Hughes, just Semple character and the way he would describe Semple's life. The chicken joints, the bars, the community. My daddy was a number runner. When I was in elementary school, I read that book and I was going to Catholic School on 116th Street. And it was really sort of the world that I saw or still knew. And Lindsay Patterson's Black theater was something that was always powerful and special to me about being an African American woman just in general. But looking at the sort of like snapshots that theater does of who we are.

[Dana Bellow]

What an amazing story. Anne, thanks for calling in. So how does that make you feel, Dana, that you heard her say that county column was the first library card she ever had?

[WNYC Studios]

Makes me feel, really. Makes me feel like this place is really special. It has a very special place in the heart of Harlem. It's also because of where we're located. We're right around the corner from Schomburg, right across the street from Harlem Hospital. So this avenue and this center is kind of like a mecca for where a lot of people have to stop by or pass by before they're on their way to other places. And it's good to know that people stop by here.

[Dana Bellow]

And it's so interesting. Anne, if you're still listening, I have an autographed copy of simple from Langston Hughes to my mom that she got when she was a kid. Can you imagine that? It's such an amazing thing to have in your collection. My guest is Dana Bellow. She's a librarian with the County Cullen branch of the New York Public Library. We are talking about Harlem Books, based in Harlem. Do you have a favorite book based in Harlem or a famous book from the Renaissance or perhaps a book that you've always wanted other people to read? 2124-3396-9221-2433-WNYC. We're going back to your list. Dana, you have the YA novel Monster by Walter Dean Myers. What's his connection to Harlem?

[WNYC Studios]

Walter Dean Myers was born and raised in Harlem. Many of his books discuss young adults growing up and living in Harlem and dealing with the differences and the complexities that Harlem had, especially in the late 80s, early 90s when Harlem was going through a health crisis with the crack epidemic. Monster is also a very important book that talks about Steve Harmon, who was accused of murder and he's navigating the justice system while also questioning his identity and trying to find out who he is as a person. The book explores a lot of themes of guilt and perception and discusses the complexity of human nature. And it is also written in a screenplay format.

[Dana Bellow]

And I understand this can this should fold into a project that you have going on called Black Men Read. Would you tell us about that?

[WNYC Studios]

Yes. Currently County Cullen has a book club made called Black Men Read, which is for black men to read books about black men. And the initiative was started to get young black boys to read more. We figured that if black boys saw their fathers, brothers, uncles, cousins reading books for leisure, they would more likely pick up a book and read for leisure.

[Dana Bellow]

We are talking about Harlem Books with Dana Bello. She's a librarian for County Cullen Library in Harlem. We want your recommendations as well. We'll have more after a quick break. This is on this week's ON the media. President Trump purges government websites and targets language US Google Map users now see Gulf of America. The Trump administration wiping clean content from.

[WNYC Studios]

Sites under the DHHS umbrella. Several web pa, including those related to HIV and LGBTQ youth, went dark on Friday.

[Dana Bellow]

History rewritten. Don't miss this week's on the Media from wnyc. Find on the Media wherever you get your podcasts. All of it. You are listening to all of IT on wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart. My guest is Dana Bello. She's a librarian with the County Cullen branch of the New York Public Library. We are talking about books based in Harlem. It's part of our Black History Month series. Let's see. We got a text that says Heart of Woman by Maya Angelou. Another text says A Raisin in the sun by Lorraine Hansberry. Great play. Let's talk to em who's calling in from Queens. Hi, Em. Thanks for calling all of it. Emily, are you there? All right, let's try Ronald in Manhattan on line eight. Hey, Ronald, can I hear you?

[Alison Stewart]

Yes, hi. How are you?

[Dana Bellow]

I'm doing great. You're on the air.

[Alison Stewart]

Okay. I would like to recommend Harlem Rhapsody because it's about Harlem and it's a very, very compelling historical book that has so many things about Harlem. As a matter of fact, it has Countee Cullen as a character in the novel as well as Lancey Hughes. It's an amazing book, and I would recommend it to the librarian. She could put it in her collection.

[Dana Bellow]

We want to tell people we actually had that author on Victoria Christopher Murray on our show. So you can go and listen to that conversation. Thanks for calling, Ronald. Let's get back to your list, Dana, you've got When My Cousins Come to Town by Angela Shanti and Jimmy's Rhythm and Blues by Michelle Meadows. Those are geared towards the kids, right?

[WNYC Studios]

Yes.

[Dana Bellow]

Tell me a little bit more.

[WNYC Studios]

When My Cousins Come to Town by Angela Shante is a heartwarming children's book that talks about the excitement and joy of family visits through the eyes of a young girl. It highlights the fun and laughter and the bonding moments that the cousins share during the summer when her cousins come to visit her in New York City. And it showcased the vibrant energy and diverse experience of the city. Jimmy's Rhythm and Blues by Michelle Meadows is a very lyrical picture book that introduces young readers to the life of James Baldwin, and it highlights his impact on race, sexuality and social justice. It delves into his struggles and triumphs, showing his enduring legacy as a writer and an intellectual.

[Dana Bellow]

Of course, you mentioned James Baldwin. If Beale Street Could Talk is on your list. This novel takes place partially in Harlem in the 70s. What was the atmosphere like?

[WNYC Studios]

I think Harlem in the 70s was a very vibrant cultural hub. There was a lot of jazz in soul. And then you juxtapose that with the rise of hip hop and musicians and also activists, and it fueled a new creative renaissance. There was also a lot of economic struggles as well. There was poverty and urban decay which came about during the heroin and the crack epidemics. But despite that, there was still a lot of rich heritage. Apollo was still alive and strong. There was still dancing and jazz clubs and things like that as well.

[Dana Bellow]

Talk to Brenda, who is calling in from Parsippany, New Jersey. Hi, Brenda. You're on all of it.

[Alison Stewart]

Hi, Alison. Love your show.

[Dana Bellow]

Thanks.

[Alison Stewart]

I recommended Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead, which takes place in the 1950s and it's a trilogy. That's his first book and why I love that the main character owns a furniture store and he's sort of normal. He's a normal wife with a wife, but he's also kind of crooked. And it, the story is very funny and he's always getting into this, these kind of situations. Like he has a cousin who is definitely a criminal. And every time he's introduced you say, oh my God, what's gonna happen? But what I really liked about the book, it shows, talks about the Hotel Teresa, the Harlem, the Apollo. So all these places that you know, you're familiar with and some of them that no longer exist. And the book is. I really enjoyed it. And the other thing I just wanted to mention about simple by Langston Hughes, I found that book when I was about 16. I've always lived in New Jersey, but I had cousins who lived on 126th Street. I went to a. It was a stationary store, Jewish owned, and they had simple the paperback. And that was my introduction to Langston Hughes.

[Dana Bellow]

Wow, really cool, Brenda, thanks for calling in. Dana. Let's get on back to your list. You've got Push by Sapphire. People might know it because it became a film precious. It's not an easy read, right?

[WNYC Studios]

It is not an easy read. It took me a while to adjust to the language because it tells the story of an illiterate and abused teenager. And it's written in the way that she would write as an illiterate. As the novel goes on, she really finds her voice as she takes classes and earns her ged and she learns to write and moves from illiterate to literate. She's trying to escape the cycle of trauma that she's trapped in. And it also really shows the life of someone who is abused and failed by the system in Harlem in the late 80s, early 90s.

[Dana Bellow]

You've got a book all shot up by writer Chester Himes. How would you describe Chester Himes as a writer?

[WNYC Studios]

I think he's very gritty. He has a very hard world style crime novels that he tells. All Shot up is the fifth novel in the series. But I think because of the dialogue and the dark humor and a lot of the really fast paced action, he does really well at telling the story of the violent realities of urban life.

[Dana Bellow]

Let's talk to Zach on line 10. He's calling in from Crown Heights. Hey Zach, thank you so much for calling, all of it.

[Alison Stewart]

Hi, thanks for having me.

[Dana Bellow]

Oh, like your voice. Go for it.

[Alison Stewart]

I wanted to call in first of all, yeah, shout out Chester Himes. But the book Felonious Monk, the Life and Times of an American Original by Robin DG Kelly, which it deals with Harlem a little bit. Monk lived in the San Juan Hill neighborhood, which is pretty much like where Lincoln center, where Lincoln center is now. It was huge, a huge black neighborhood back in the day. Obviously not anymore, but it's generally just like just a masterwork and brings you into just life as a black person in this city for most of the century.

[Dana Bellow]

Zach, thanks for calling in. We got a recommendation. Queenie Godmother of Harlem, a graphic novel about Stephanie St. Clair, the prolific numbers runner of Harlem in the east 20th century. Also, let's talk to Jean, who is calling from Harlem. Hi, Jean.

[Alison Stewart]

Hi. How are you?

[Dana Bellow]

We're doing well.

[Alison Stewart]

Okay. Well, I have two purposes in calling. One, to give a shout out to county Cullen branch where I signed up for membership 80 years ago.

[Dana Bellow]

Wow.

[Alison Stewart]

Yes.

[Dana Bellow]

Wow.

[Alison Stewart]

When I was five years old, my mother took me to the branch that became the Schomburg.

[Dana Bellow]

That's so great.

[Alison Stewart]

So I'm a longtime Harlem resident, even though I've lived in several other places off and on. And I also wanted to recommend the Maya Angelou book, the Bluest Eye. Now, it's not set here in Harlem, but Maya Angelou herself was a resident of Harlem, living on West 1 20th street for years until her death. She had a brownstone there.

[Dana Bellow]

Well, you get as much as you want to say because you've had a county Cullen library card since you were five years old. So thank you very much for calling, Dana. We're starting to wrap up this segment. Were there any other books that you wanted to recommend?

[WNYC Studios]

I would recommend down the Up Staircase, Three Generations of a Harlem Family. And that really explores the complexities of African American experience in Harlem. It focuses on the educational challenges and the aspirations of students within the community. And it delves through three generations of Bruce de Haynes life. And it spans different times in Harlem history as well.

[Dana Bellow]

Dana Bellow is an adult librarian for the county Cullen Library in Harlem. Thank you so much for joining us, Dana. We really appreciate it.

[WNYC Studios]

Thank you for having me.

[Dana Bellow]

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[WNYC Studios]

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[Dana Bellow]

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