GDWEVENT ALERT: ICYMI - THE ACTION IS IN NYC APRIL 2 - 5 AT NAN's 2025 CONVENTION - You/We Must Be There

By Gloria DULAN-Wilson

Now that I have your attention, let be clear, there is no time for cutesy headlines.  WE MUST BE AT THE NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK CONVENTION next week - our very lives, our future and our well being depends on it.  This is no time to sit on the sidelines and hope that Rev. Al will take care of it; or that you can just wait it out until T-rump and his ilk get tired of screwing over our rights.  As Reverend Sharpton has announced on several occasions, the Convention is free to attend.  But I'm going to add that you should bring your courage, insight, unity, and ideas. 

As you can see, the theme of the convention is BEING A LIGHT IN DARK TIMES.  It's not new to Black people - we've always been the ones who have had to stand in the breach when the rest of society - politically, mentally, racially, legally, socially, emotionally, have gone to the brink of disaster.  In the midst of their megalomaniacal insanity - we've had to pull them back from the edge, so that we don't end up at the bottom of the chasm with them.  You'd think they'd be grateful, vow to never do it again, and make sure that we have all the rights, freedoms, rewards (reparations) due us.  But NO! We get a lull and then the ultra reich-wingnuts (who have secretly been plotting in the background for another hostile take over) start their madness all over again.

And this, sadly, is where we are now.  From voter suppression, dismantling of education, social security, Medicare and Medicaid, mass firing of people, hijacking people to mass incarceration; there are so many things that have transpired - all done in what could only be called a "blitzkreig" so fast that you have no time to respond or deal with it before they come up with another atrocity.   

We must now come together with our disciplined minds and undo the damage, while simultaneously returning to or inculcating the qualities and methods of our ancestors to rise above and develop our own priorities.  Bring your best minds and best ideas, and be prepared to sit down and collaborate.

 Highlights of the NAN Convention include:

 Rev. Sharpton's list of luminaries is a veritable whose who in Black intelligentsia and civil rights:

NY District Attorney Alvin Bragg,  NY State Attorney General Letitia "Tish" James,  Great Civil Rights Lawyer Benjamin Crump, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Diva Patti LaBelle, Joy Reid, congressman/Hero Al Green (D.Tx) are among the special guests and presenters that will attend this year's convention.  But don't come to gawk, or for the autographs - come to learn, come to share, come to interact. 

 

One of many special forums will feature issues surrounding organ transplantation, organ donors, and follow up as it affects Black people.  The issues are so crucial that Al B. Sure, Rachel Noerdlinger, Jennifer Jones Austin, and Rev. Al Sharpton founded the Health Equity in Transplantation Coalition (HEiTC). 

Leaders of HEiTC will convene on the first day of the National Action Network Annual Convention in New York City, on Wednesday, April 2^nd, to discuss how the nation can lift historic barriers to healthcare in general but especially on issues of transplantation. The panel – which will focus on the state of healthcare as well as its impacts on Black America – will feature HEiTC Executive Chairman Al B. Sure!, Co-Founder Rachel Noerdlinger, Senior Advisors Rev. Al Sharpton, Jennifer Jones Austin, and NYC Council Member Justin Brannan, as well as hip hop artist and advocate Freeway. The conversation is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Sheraton New York Times Square, where Rev. Sharpton will gather thousands of NAN members to hear from leaders in Civil Rights, business, government, academia and other fields on the most pressing issues in Black America. 

BOYCOTT VS BUYCOTT:  Rev. Al has put together the tops in research and economics to determine which of the T-rump affiliate corporations will be boycotted by Black and other consumers. He will announce the plan of action to transform this into a national boycott sending signals to those who disregard our rights.  Make sure you're on hand for this momentous strategy. 

Rev. Al Sharpton Sharing Words of Wisdom

Did I say this is a crucial period and that we are under attack by some pretty demented characters - including the ersatz president, Secretary General, and many other incompetents who have been deliberately given these positions so they would fail, cause confusion, and detract us from what's really going on?  Well, if I didn't, let me reiterate - this is what you're dealing with.  

We are under assault - but we are not beaten.  We are not going to National Action Network to comisserate or complain; but to organize, strategize, unify, and defeat the efforts of authoritarian mendicants to destroy and deprive us of our rights. It is incumbent on us to put together our collective, considerable intelligence, creative, instinctual imaginations to flip the script - as our ancestors did - to save ourselves, each other, our children and perhaps even the world.

Rev. Al addressed Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Saturday, March 22, 2025 - center is DST International President Elsie Cooke-Holmes, Rev. Al Sharpton, right.  

 As Rev. Sharpton has emphasized consistently, this is not the first time Black people have had to deal with such challenges as these.  While the entire nation is currently under assault, we have learned from our forebarers to lean on our faith, resilience, and unity.  This has seen us through so much despite the seeming power of the aggressors.  Black people in particular, and people of color have faced down aggressors of every stripe.  Even from ersatz presidents.   

But through all that, we didn't lose sight of our everyday concerns: health, education, home ownership, employment, equality, civility, and so many other issues that are essential to a happy balanced life. Essentials that are now being sabotaged by reich-wing maga - but essentials we must protect despite their efforts.   NAN will be covering these issues during the convention.  

If you've not already registered for NAN'S CONVENTION PLEASE DO SO NOW BY LOGGING ON TO:    www.nanconvention2025.net

           or call: 877.626.4651

There is an old saying:  IF NO ONE ELSE WILL SAVE YOU, SAVE YOURSELF!

THIS IS THE VERY PRINCIPLE UPON WHICH NAN IS FOUNDED

WE HAVE TO BE OUR OWN HEROES - OUR OWN SALVATION

EVIL DOESN'T DISAPPEAR IN IT'S OWN 

SO MAKE IT YOUR BUSINESS TO BE THERE: ON POINT,  ON PURPOSE

NOW THAT YOU KNOW

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

Stay Blessed &

ECLECTICALLY BLACK 

Gloria DULAN-Wilson

ICYMI: WHY POLITICAL ANALYST JAMES CARVILLE CALLS THE SUPREME COURT "SCROTUS"

By Gloria DULAN-Wilson

Greetings All!

First of all let me caution you that this - because James Carville is pulling no punches. 

He never does!

He's known for telling it like it is, regardless of where it fell.  He was anything but "politically correct!"  He is also one of the most widely respected political analysts on the planet. Interestingly enough, his wife is a repuglycon - Mary Matalin - whose radio show was pro repuglycon.  I've always had a great deal of respect for James Carville and his penchant for telling it like it is.  And this video he recorded is explicit.  I just wish he had done it 20 years ago - but here it is now - and here we are now - and we have to stop pretending there is any honesty or sanctity or respect due the current iteration of the subprime court. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4TmHTibq-k&t=319s

Over the years, I've developed a great deal of respect for his candid, straight-with-no-chaser political analyses.  

I'm sharing this video with you now because there are too many of us on the sidelines or too many brothers who can't seem to make an informed decision. 

By the way, the only people who regard them as a "supreme court" are the caucasoids for whom they were established to do their bidding by keeping us subjugated, lied to, lied about, working for little or nothing, disenfranchised, mis-educated and for at least the majority of the two-plus centuries of their existence, they've done a thorough job - keeping the racist powers that be quite happy and satisfied. In fact, if you really think about it, the only times they have righteously ruled in our behalf were Brown V Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas and .....  If you think of it, fill it in please.  Of course having the great Lincoln University alumnus, THURGOOD MARSHALL, as the first Black Supreme Court JUSTICE, elevated their status in my estimation.  However, when Marshall died, they oozed their way back to "justice" in name only.  With a slick co-conspiracy the US Senate first proposed a real redneck named Bork  to take Marshall's place.  And after very vigorous protests, news campaigns, and outrage, they turned around in pulled out Uncle Thomas Clarence - their secret weapon against Black people.  They would indeed put a 'black" man on the bench - but like the Oreo, any resemblance between him and African Americans was purely and totally coincidental. Not only that, he came with so much embarrassing baggage - womanizing, lying, and scandal - a track record only an overseer could love - which totally endeared him to the solid citizens of the solid south - and the most egregious greedy capitalists, who knew they had nothing to worry about from him - because the chance of his every doing anything in behalf of African American rights was somewhere between slim and none.  

Carville mentioned the fiasco of the 2000 election when Al Gore had actually won the election against George Bush, but Florida tried to cheat America out of a new president by taking the ballots and dumping them in Florida's swamp.  I was among the media that gathered in the Hilton Hotel to watch the count.  Around 2:00AM Gore made his concession speech.  However, by the following morning, after discovering several thousand ballots had been thrown into the water, they declared the presidential election had not been decided - and proceeded to count the ballots.  The repuglycons were against it and stated the subprime court should decide whether to recount the ballots in order to determine the winner of the presidential election.  Instead they proceeded to give the election to Bush.  America was outraged, the Democrats had been double crossed - but the deed was done.

Since the death of Thurgood Marshall, the Subprime Court has consistently ruled against the interests of Black people, including eviscerating our Voting rights, the recent laws passed against abortion and a woman's right to choose.  It should be clear that they are literally goose stepping us backwards to the days of Plessy v. Ferguson - where they ruled that a Black Man had no rights a caucasoid was bound to respect.  And the Senate has done all it could to continue that march backwards - starting with former speaker of the House, John Boehner (bonehead) and Mitch "the B"  McConnell refusing to consider President Obama's recommendation (Merrick Garland) as a Supreme Court Justice.  It was the beginning of a full-on unadulterated assault on Black people.  Then, for extra measure, the second biggest target of American Caucasoids - white women - got dragged into the cesspool.  And their greed for dominance has been legitimized even further.  I am curious to see at what point Black people and white women are going to wake up and put an end to this neo-fascist/nazi regime that is being erected right under our noses, in front of our faces.

No wonder John Carville is furious!  To find out how furious, check out the video  below.  And after that, and you've taken notes on the transgressions against the constitution committed by those who were supposed to uphold the constitution, you'll understand why it is that you must go for the entire enchilada in the upcoming 2024 election. 

THERE HAS TO BE A CLEAN SWEEP OF THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN AND VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS BEING RE-ELECTED AS PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT.   There's no third party!  Staying home, or abstaining for voting means you're voting for T-rump and for the further erosion of your rights.  If you are telling Black people their votes don't count, you're a traitor to your people as well as a fool. 

If you are under the illusion that you have a "choice" then WTFU - because you don't  - at least not at present time.  2025 is our turning point - it is the point during which all the ducks are in a row - that is, if we have done our job in 2024 and swept out the trash from the Senate and the House. 

And if we aren't careful, the subprime court will have exonerated t-rump, vacated the 14th Amendment, and knocked the wind out of the 91 endictments.  If they get away with it, you'll also see them say that the president can get away with murder, fraternize with the enemy, and shoot anyone they want in broad daylight with impunity.  It's headed that way, and even more reason to make sure you exercise your right to vote!

Never has VOTE BLUE, NO MATTER WHO been more important. 

As several ministers and others have been wiseley telling their congregations -"No one is coming to save us - so we have to save ourselves - and VOTING IS THE ONLY WAY RIGHT NOW!"  So when you hear some of your more famous negro celebrities talking about their admiration for T-rump, the first thing that should spring to your mind is how much under the table money have they been paid to betray their own people.  

You should also be thinking of our elders and ancestors who risked their lives and stood up against the racists so that we would have a better chance at life - all the hard work and great progress they have made in our behalf are being deliberately dismantled by a renegade subprime court, and a megalomaniacal fool who embraces our enemies, while undermining our democracy. 

I shouldn't have to tell you that you have to make sure you follow Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network on Saturday Mornings 9:00AM EST, and Roland Martin Unfiltered nightly - to get the real truth about what's really happening with our rights, our votes.  Instead watching the slanted propaganda they call the nightly news, watch JOY ANN REID, catch the talk shows: STEPHEN COLBERT, SETH MEYER, JIMMY FALLON, JIMMY KIMMEL who use their humor to point out the stupidity that the news media is obiously too lax to point out.  Or better yet, REV. DR. AL SHARPTON OF NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK, OR ROLAND MARTIN OF ROLAND MARTION UNFILTERED! - who pull no punches when it comes to pointing out the hypocracy of the repuglycon party (yes! I said it twice - we get too much misinformation - so we have to be intentional about who we get our info from! 

 

I shouldn't have to tell you stop watching the clown show being put on by T-rump to divert  you, and the rest of the world and the meanstream media from what is really happening to our rights.   While we sit here and debate each other about Biden's age, the repuglycons ae securing all kinds of offenses against us.

Stop listening to fools joking about President Biden's age, and find out about the real positive effects and benefits his initiatives  and Vice President Harris have on Black people, our economies and our future.  Instead of watching the clown show put on by the mean stream media such as Fox's false news, or News Max, check out THE WHITE HOUSE on YouTube - and make sure you take notes so you can refute lies from other misinformed individuals.  Once you do that, you'll realize that Biden has gotten more done in the three plus years he's in office that most other Presidents in history - with the exception of President Lyndon Baines Johnson. 

America is definitely not perfect.  There have been major transgressions against us and other non-white people.  However, at this juncture, it appears that there's nowhere else for us to live as a people.  And if we don't defend it, and regain our rights - then, as Sista Souljah said in her famous album: "SLAVERY IS BACK IN EFFECT."  

And, if that isn't what you want - then it's time for us to pool our resources, unite our efforts, energies, and votes to put a stop to the evil that is being leveled against us from all sides..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4TmHTibq-k&t=319s

Thanks to James Carville for having the courage and wisdom to say on camera what so many are saying under their collective breaths and behind closed doors.  FOR BEING STRAIGHT WITH NO CHASER!

Whatever law or BOGUS RULES that have been erected to prevent us from having our rights must be considered racist and illegal and not to be respected or adhered to; and must be thwarted and reversed by ANY MEANS NECESSARY!

PS:  I started writing this last night about 3:00AM on March 3, 2024.  But of course, since then the subprime court has allowed the miscreant in chief to remain on the ballot for the presidential election thus nullifying the 14th Amendment.  I guess that should have been expected given their track record to date.

 

I wonder if that means we should have a referendum whether or not we should expand the subprime court in order to hopefully make it supreme?  I would have said "again" but the record shows that there has been little they have done in our behalf or favor - except during the time Thurgood Marshall was on the bench.  And he held onto his  life as long as he could - just like Ruth Bader Ginsberg.  Since then, the "scrotum's" track record has been in the toilet.  Is now the time for America to say "flush!?" 

NOW THAT YOU KNOW

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

Stay Blessed &

ECLECTICALLY BLACK

Gloria DULAN-Wilson

ICYMI: NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK - DAY 2 HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge on closing the gap in homeownership

By Gloria DULAN-Wilson

National Action Network, Day 2, April 7, 2022

As always, Rev. Sharpton's National Action Network Convention presents some of the foremost experts in a variety of fields of importance and impact to the Black community.  The great thing about this year, and last year, is that it is being streamed on YouTube.   However, ICYMI, one of the most pivotal speakers was Secretary of HUD Marcia L. Fudge -  the first Black woman to head HUD (the Department of  Housing and Urban Development).

 

 

She came to the position with passion and compassion.   As one of the guest speakers, she provided information of direct impact and pivotal importance to Black families across the nation.  So, I'm excerpting from her presentation in case you missed it; or didn't hone in on some of the more salient parts of her message.

The Honorable Marcia L Fudge, Secretary of HUD indeed had some good news and innovations to share, and started off by saying: "There's money in my bank account (i.e, Budget),  and I intend to spend it all!"  To which the audience responded in a huge applause. 

Marcia Fudge, was formerly a congresswoman from Ohio; and as the first Black woman to head up HUD (Housing & Urban Development) since its inception in 1964, when it was established by president Lyndon Baines Johnson, as part of his vision for a poverty-free "Great Society," also the first to make any major changes to correct years of neglect of the principles upon which it was originally intentioned.   She pledged to do everything in her power to close the homeownership gap that currently exists among Black people and people of color.

Secretary of HUD Marcia L Fudge greeted by Rev. Al Sharpton 

She stated: "The first 17 words of the Constitution are  'We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union established in justice..."  Rev. Al fights to ensure we the people are included in the establishment in justice.  He understands that while we've come a long way, we've got a long way to go. We know it's hard to be Black in America - but people need to understand it!  This is our moment!  And we must not shrink from our moment!  I grew up with a lot of older people - who used to say "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

The former Congresswoman continued, "Many of us remain trapped in poverty, poisoned by the paint on the walls, Our children are being born behind the starting lines of life, playing catch up to catch up with everyone.  This is not time for us to shrink.  We must meet this moment because THIS IS OUR MOMENT. WE WILL NOT BE DENIED EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW.  And I'm going to do my part!"

"When I accepted the role as the 18th secretary of HUD, I knew there was a great task before me." she continued.  "We faced a number of crises.  We (HUD) still redline; don't lend to Black and brown people and poor people.  We still undervalue people's houses just because of the color of their skin. I remember what Jesus said to his disciples - 'To whom much is given, much is required.'  And I have been given much - I've always had a home  - I always had a safe place.  Everybody should have that same feeling - to feel safe at home.  I am required/obligated to help those who have been neglected and ignored for far too long.  It is my responsibility to make sure that those who want to buy a home have that opportunity. And that those who live in public housing - those who are in my care - can live safely and be treated decently, with dignity every single day.  It has been more than 50 years since the Fair Housing Act was passed.  But the gap between Black and white is bigger than before it was passed in 1968!!  Under the Biden/Harris Admin.  We are tackling the root causes of discrimination, because we know that owning a home is our greatest source of generational wealth." 

Last summer, in 2021, she headed up a Presidential task force on racial bias in home appraisals.  "You've seen the stories of how our homes are devalued or undervalued just because we live in Black communities.  If we could just close that gap, and not lose billions and billions of dollars every year because our properties are undervalued, we could make a big difference in this country.  Black properties lose billions and billions of dollars in equity because of biases in real estate appraisals - But let me tell you what! It's going to stop right now!"  (This is ironically true - as a former R.E. appraiser, I/ve seen some evidence of padding on one side, while devaluing or discounting our properties - and using a check and balance approach to justify it). According to Secretary Fudge, Black people's home are being under appraised by as much as $25,000 - which amounts to $100,000 in a four year period, causing us to lose equity and opportunity.

The great thing about having Marcia Fudge as head of HUD, is she has compassion, a mission, a vision, and understanding. Something that hasn't existed in quite some time: 

"You see, you can't give some people power, because they use it! And I'm using mine!  

I'm not afraid  to do what is right!!!

 

We're also going to make sure that people have a real shot at buying a home.  People of color, when they come to buy a home, one of the biggest impediments is student loans.  But what we've done is neutralize student debt.  IF YOU GET AN FHA INSURED LOAN, WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE YOU GET IT!  That's what happens when you put the right people in the right places.  I've got a fantastic group of people working with me!  These people know what they are doing!  So, we are also coming up with a new product.  Instead of dealing with a 30 year mortgage, when they get in trouble, we're going to refinance that mortgage, changing it to a 40 year mortgage.  So we can reduce your payments, reduce your interest rates!  It may take longer to pay it off,but you'll still have your home!"

A previous panelist mentioned the fact that if an individual was consistent in paying their rent on time, they should be immediately qualified for a mortgage.  Somehow that information is not considered when they are doing credit checks.  It just isn't reported, which is ridiculous!  Paying rent on time is one the biggest responsibilities a person has.  If they are paying their rent, they can pay a mortgage!!"

In sum, Secretary Fudged stated the following:

- The president's budget for 2023 is asking for down payment assistance.  We know most people of color can pay their rents.  It's the down payment that creates a problem.  So we're doing down payment assistance so we can get people in homes and put the down payment loan on the back end of the mortgage;  

- We have told banks it's okay to do special things for people who have been underserved.  We've been told it's discriminatory.  No, it's not discriminatory!  we are saying to you you can do that.

 

- We are going to have oversight of fair lending.

 

- When people come to us and say they've been discriminated against, we have a hot line on our website.  If you think you've been discriminated against, then you need to call us, because we're going to look into it!

 

- We will have oversight of fair lending and have a hotline on our website - call them!

 

- Homelessness: on any given night more than a half a million people sleep on the street - 40% are Black people, while we make up 13% of the population; and Black Seniors are the fastest growing homeless groups; and families with children."

She continued, "We can't change everything, but we're going to change a lot. I didn't get to this dance by myself!  I stand on other shoulders - like Shirley Chisholm, who was from New York. who said:  'If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.' And now that you are at the table, you have to make room for somebody else!  At my home we had big dinners - always made room - all you had to do was scoot over!  We have to make room to hear all of the voices - if we don't, we will fail the next generation."

Secretary Fudge remarked that she was advancing in age, and would eventually be stepping down. "I want the next generation to be prepared, so I have taken on the responsibility of helping to prepare them."  This is indeed excellent.  I wish more elected politicians and people in places of responsibility had the wisdom and insight she does.   What we don't need is a younger generation advancing to positions of power and responsibility, and being ignorant and irresponsibility as to what their roles and responsibilities are vis a vis Black people. It's those times that set us back decades, while the new appointee is still trying to figure out his role and responsibility.  (Too bad our other leaders, elected officials don't see the necessity in grooming a successor - instead they try to die in their position, and compromise the future existence of all they've worked for. Hopefully they'll follow this example).

"What we have to do is to form the kind of coalition that can stand in the moment -  

And This Is Our Moment!!!

Anybody that underestimates Black people is making a huge mistake!!!   We are a determined people who have been through a lot and we're still standing! That means getting everybody else to vote!!  Lift your voice for the right thing because things must change!"  (Yes, I enlarged that quote so that you wouldn't overlook it! )

 

We are in the midst of Midterms  MIDTERMS MATTER - we can't sit through this era, we have to take definitive action!! GDW (I said that, but it fits in with what she's saying).

She concluded: "We have to decide if we want two nations - one Black one white; one Rich one poor.  This is one America!  We have to decide if we're going to have one nation, under God.  Let's show what one nation under God looks like!  Langston Hughes writes 'I too sing America, land that I love!'  Well, I, too, sing America. I'm an American! And nobody's going to take that away from me!"  

Of course, she exited to thundering applause!

For those of you who are interested in following up on the programs Secretary Fudge mentioned in her speech, can log onto:

www.huduser.gov 

 

Make sure you follow up - don't just read this and file it away.  Use it and share it. 

 

 

 

NOW THAT YOU KNOW

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

Stay Blessed &

ECLECTICALLY BLACK 

JSYK:

I am very proud of 

Soror Marcia L. Fudge and

the wonderful work she is doing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Gloria DULAN-Wilson

GDW EVENT ALERT: NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK 31ST National Convention April 6 - April 9 2022

By Gloria DULAN-Wilson

Hello All!!

 

 

In case you missed it, Wednesday, April 6, 2022 is the kick off for Rev. Al Sharpton's NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK 31ST National Convention.

 

Rev. Al Sharpton - National Action Network (Photo Gloria DULAN-Wilson)

 

This will be the first time that it's in person since the beginning of the Pandemic in 2020.

Held at the Sheraton, New York City, it promises to be a pivotal event, as we begin to pull ourselves up out of the doldrums, assess our losses, wins and focus on what we have to do in the future. 

Rather than go in to detail as to how important it is for you to be present and accounted for, I'm going to put the link to the agenda below.

As you can see, Rev. Al  and NAN have definitely not been idle.    The convention is free, and open to the public - i.e. those of us who are concerned  about the future of Black people and want to be part of the solution.

HERE'S THE LINK/MARK YOUR CALENDAR

https://nanconvention2022.squarespace.com/

NOW THAT YOU KNOW

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

Stay Blessed &

ECLECTICALLY BLACK

Gloria DULAN-Wilson

BLACK HISTORY TRIBUTE: Happy Birthday Sylvia Woods - Happy 60th Anniversary Year SYLVIA'S QUEEN OF SOUL FOOD RESTAURANT

By Gloria DULAN-Wilson

Hello All:

Happy Birthday SYLVIA WOODS founder of Sylvia's Queen of Soul Food - and 60th Anniversary Year to SYLVIA'S RESTAURANT in HARLEM USA!!

 

Sylvia Woods founder of SYLVIA'S QUEEN OF SOUL FOOD

 

Sylvia would have been 96 today!  She was a mainstay in Harlem.  Her restaurant provided the best in what I call Epicurean Soul Food.  Fried Chicken, Collard Greens, Candied Yams, Black Eyed Peas, Rice, and home made Corn Bread; or Short Ribs of Beef, greens, homemade biscuits; or Red Velvet Cake, Homemade Apple Pie, and so many other wonderful, delectable dishes that emanated from that tiny kitchen.

I was a Sylvia's Regular from the time I graduated from Lincoln University, and my best brother/friend SAM ANDERSON took me there to eat because he didn't want me to be homesick for Oklahoma food.  At that time, in 1967, it was just a small place with one counter, a few tables, and Sylvia doing most of the cooking.  The setting was very intimate then, with people sitting and eating elbow to elbow. 

Years later, through the ingenuity of her eldest son, Van, it expanded to encompass the entire corner of 126th Street and Malcolm X Blvd. (Lenox Ave to the outsiders).  And, through a small article by food critic Gael Greene, became a beacon for tourists from all over the world - Japan, France, Great Britain, Germany - and a local favorite for Black people in Harlem.

I've seen people visiting from the South, having heard of Sylvia's Restaurant, come in with a look of awe at how beautiful and well attended it was.  There were tour buses lined up outside the restaurant with people patiently waiting to get in and sample the cuisine. 

Today, February 2, 2022 is Sylvia's Birthday -   She was born in 1926.  I had flashbacks to when we used to get up and go to the restaurant to have a birthday breakfast celebration with Sylvia and Herbert Woods (the love of her life an husband of more than 50 years), Van, Bedelia, Kenneth and Crizette - their children, a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Talk about a family affair.  Sylvia's was all about family.  She was very proud of her children - and made sure they were involved in and knew how to run the business of providing fine food and customer service to the patrons - a business they were to inherit when she passed.  A legacy!!

I was blessed to have been part of the family - so to speak - and spent many waking hours there - taking hundreds of photos of the family in action. I was editor of their newsletter, "Sylvia: Nothing But the Good News; and did research for her cookbook.   In fact, I had the privilege and pleasure of riding down with the family in their Rolls Royce Corniche to Hemingway, SC, which is where Sylvia and Herbert originally came from, to do an article on the origins of her culinary skills.  For the first time I had venison cooked with major soul; feasted on hand caught and fresh fried fish called "spots," and visited the home where Sylvia was born and raised.

 

Sylvia and Herbert Woods and the Rolls Royce

 

Her mother was one of the few Black people to own their own home - something unheard of in the Jim Crow South.  Her father, who served in WWI, was hung when Sylvia was still a baby - so she grew up in a single parent household with an adopted sister.  She and her husband Herbert met when they were children - aged 9 and 10 years old, and she decided from the first day she saw him, that he was going to be her husband.  They grew up together, married, moved to New York, and eventually acquired the restaurant in Harlem where she had originally served as a waitress.  The owner sold it to her when he and his wife decided to move to upstate New York.  That was in 1962, and the rest - as they say - is history.

I have so many fond memories of Sylvia's in Harlem, and the legion of celebrities who came there to enjoy the food in a down home atmosphere.  Sylvia's was literally considered the town hall of Harlem, where political aspirants came to make speeches, hold receptions, and solicit funds for their campaigns.  Congressman Charles Rangel, Percy Sutton, and former Governor David Patterson, as well as a host of artists and entertainers made their way from the Apollo Theatre to Sylvia's to soak up Harlem's upscale atmosphere. Joseph Kennedy Jr., presidential candidate Bill Clinton, and others.   Even Mariah Carey had former husband, Tommy Mattola, roll up in their limousine, pick up some collard greens for her, while she never got out of the car.   Birthday breakfasts with the late Johnny Cochrane (Oct 2); meeting Dr. Phil who came to see if Sylvia's was really for real and ended up enjoying himself so much he stayed until they closed; it was a favorite haunt of Dexter King, youngest son of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; President Barack Obama, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Diana Ross, James Brown, and so many more!  Sylvia used to have a wall of photos of celebrities who had eaten at the restaurant.  It was always a pleasure to see who frequented the place over the years.

 

President Barack Obama and Rev. Al Sharpton Chowing Down at Sylvias Black in the Day

 

Sylvia has been on the corner of 126th Street and Malcolm X Blvd. now for 60 years - and has taken it from slum to upscale.  During the economic downturn of the 70s, when thousands of Harlemites were fleeing New York to go back down South, Sylvia would lend them money, or purchase their homes so they could make a brand new start.  Many of them, once they established themselves in their new homes, would come back to Harlem to thank her for her support, bringing their families with them to enjoy the food and the atmosphere.

Other restaurants and tourist attractions have since opened up around her humble establishment - Red Rooster being one of the most prominent - but Sylvia's is still my home base - my choice for down home atmosphere and camaraderie.  Where I can kick back, get the news of the day, watch romantic couples interact; and watch the pleasure on the faces of tourists who are experiencing soul food for the first time.

There are still some detractors who assumed that Sylvia used canned products - and I want to tell you that is far from true.  Having been there on several occasions at 5:00AM when the food is delivered to the restaurant, and watching the chef (who was from Africa) clean and prepare the greens, sweet potatoes and other food for cooking - labor intensive, but worth it.  For the detractors who claimed Sylvia's was owned by Japanese - not so- the restaurant is completely and totally owned by the Woods Family  - in perpetuity!  This negativity stems  from the fact that on a subconscious level, Black people - even in New York City - still don't believe that we can succeed at anything of our own accord.  And the fact that a diminutive little 5'2" Black woman from the South was able to do it, and become a multimillionaire, boggles their minds.  But she did it without compromising her values or her family.  NOW THAT IS WHAT I CALL BLACK HISTORY!

So Happy Birthday Sylvia!!  Though you left us 10 years ago in 2012 - you made history in your own humble, yet elegant way!  You paved the way for others to establish wonderful Black owned restaurants in Harlem, and inspired others in other Urban Cities to do the same.  My Uncle, Adolf Dulan, was inspired by you, and opened Aunt Kizzy's Back Porch in Marina Del Rey, CA - using soul food as his cuisine.  You were always his first destination when he came to New York to visit me.  I remember how he and you would sit for hours and compare notes on food, preparations, hosting - talking shop and sharing ideas.  East Coast met West Coast - Soul Food to Soul Food!!

You continue to be an inspiration, and I will never forget you.

This is dedicated to Van, Bedelia, Kenny & Crizette and the entire Woods Dynasty -

Stay Blessed &

ECLECTICALLY BLACK

Gloria DULAN-Wilson

For those of you who have never visited Sylvia's Queen of Soulfood Restaurant - it's located in the heart of Harlem - reachable via the Number 2 or 3 Subway train, or by most buses across 125th Street & Malcolm X Blvd. Walk 1 block north on Malcolm X to Sylvia's.  They continued to serve and provide food to the community during the Pandemic, primarily take outs and delivery. 

Click on the link below for a video interview conducted by the late Dr. Roscoe C. Brown with Sylvia and Herbert Woods. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKj5mJ_lpu8

NOW THAT YOU KNOW

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

Stay Blessed &

ECLECTICALLY BLACK 

Gloria DULAN-Wilson