PRESS & MEDIA
The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce & HARLEM WEEK
End of Year Reception Salutes A Year of Triumph Over Tribulation
HARLEM, NY — The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce (The Chamber) and HARLEM WEEK concluded a landmark year with their annual Holiday Reception, held at the elegant Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel. In partnership with Silk Hospitality, the festive affair served as a heartfelt "thank you" to the members, sponsors, volunteers, partners, and the Harlem community whose unwavering support fueled two organizations numerous successes in 2025.
The evening program kicked off with a warm, reflective welcome from Winston Majette, Executive Director of The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, whose remarks echoed community resilience and the power of collaboration. He was followed by Jean Philippe, General Manager of The Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel, who shared an emotional tribute to the Harlem community. Mr. Philippe requested a moment of silence in honor of the late Lloyd A. Williams, former President and CEO of The Chamber and founding member of HARLEM WEEK — a mentor, father figure, and friend to many — posthumously thanking Lloyd for "setting him up for success" within the neighborhood’s hospitality landscape.
The reception drew a distinguished crowd of civic leaders, including New York State Senator Cordell Cleare, New York State Assemblymen Al Taylor and Jordan Wright, and New York City Council members Gale Brewer and Yusef Salaam. Throughout the evening, invited guests mixed, mingled, and danced the night away to the grooving sounds of DJ Mitch. The festive energy was further heightened by a business card raffle, which featured premium prizes including a set of tickets to the hit Off-Broadway production, 44 The Musical, and an autographed copy of Champions for the Arts, the latest book by HARLEM WEEK Board Member Donna Walker-Kuhne.
The spirit of celebration over sorrow was further emphasized by Judge Milton Tingling, who moved the audience by noting the importance of joy alongside remembrance. "This year we’ve lost so many giants in our community — Lloyd Williams, Charles Rangel, Dr. Hazel Dukes, and Geoff Eaton — and had too much sadness," Judge Tingling remarked. "Let’s take a moment of celebration to honor their legacy that is kept alive in us all". Marko Nobles, HARLEM WEEK Second Vice Chair, closed the evening by asking for a moment of silence in honor of the passing of HARLEM WEEK Treasurer Barbara Burwell, a beloved “mother, sister, and auntie who will be deeply missed.”
The reception highlighted the Chamber's ongoing mission to foster economic development while maintaining Harlem’s world-renowned status as a hub for arts, culture, and tourism. As 2025 draws to a close, The Chamber and HARLEM WEEK look forward to a new year of growth, health initiatives, and community empowerment.
The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce (The Chamber), established in 1896 as the Harlem Board of Commerce, is one of the longest-operating Chambers of Commerce in the United States. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for all its residents, as well as to develop, attract, and retain quality businesses and professional services. Dedicated to promoting Harlem's world-renowned vitality in tourism, arts, culture, and economic development, The Chamber is best known as the founder and organizer of HARLEM WEEK, an annual celebration of the community's rich legacy. The National Urban Health Conference is a continuation of The Chamber's commitment to prioritizing health and wellness with the motto: “The Business of Business Is People.”
Most HARLEM WEEK 2025 performances, discussions and community forums are available to view via www.HARLEMWEEK.COM.
Harlem Chamber, Beyond Bedtime Gift “Good Nights” To Youth This Holiday
December 22, 2025
This holiday season, The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce (GHCC) joined forces with Beyond Bedtime (formerly The Pajama Program) to distribute pajamas to children ages 1 through 12 in the Harlem community.
Recognizing that healthy sleep is the foundation for a child’s success, GHCC mobilized its network of community-based organizations to ensure that children facing the greatest adversity receive resources that can support them. To facilitate the distribution, the Chamber reached out to key partners including the Harlem YMCA, GiGi’s Playhouse, The Salvation Army in Harlem, Salem United Methodist Church, Harlem Mother’s Father’s S.A.V.E., and others to help spread Beyond Bedtime’s sleep equity message throughout the neighborhood.
OP-ED: Lloyd Williams: With the ancestors, yes, but forever in Harlem
by Herb Boyd January 8, 2026
In last week’s edition of the AmNews we repeated our salutes to Charles Rangel and Hazel Dukes, two notable New Yorkers who joined the ancestors. Continuing our extended praise song, I offer this one in memory of Lloyd Williams, who was inseparably linked to Mr. Rangel and Ms. Dukes.
Hardly a momentous occasion in Harlem went by without the trio headlining it. I met Lloyd first in the late 80s during a book signing, and he approached me and asserted, “So, you think you’re all that, huh?” I was momentarily stunned by the comment but was instantly relieved by his smile and warm embrace.
Lloyd, as many of his friends and associates knew, had a way of unbalancing and then charming you. After this rather abrupt introduction, he asked me to autograph several of my books, “and bring three to my office this week.”
From that beginning, more than 40 years ago, our relationship evolved into a productive one in which he secured my services, mainly as a co-writer on many of his projects. There was a precision in his editing skills that consistently elevated and refined whatever assignment we engaged.
Our friendship congealed further when I traveled with him and others to Martinique in 2015, where we were part of a diplomatic and commercial delegation representing the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce. Whether in conversation with the nation’s leaders or with vendors in the various shops, Lloyd was as commanding as he was gregarious. I never had any doubts about his leadership capability, and what he had done in Harlem was demonstrated abroad. Our last collaboration, along with other writers, was a sequel, of sorts, to “Forever Harlem,” a dream project we worked tirelessly on.
In many respects, this unpublished tome was his magnum opus, his tribute to a community he served unstintingly. Somehow, someway, one day it will stand as a testament to his commitment to Harlem, his love for its people, and its promise. During the holidays, I received a card from his family, emblazoned with a wonderful, smiling portrait of Lloyd, which now graces a mantel in my living room. Each day, when I walk by it, I can almost hear him saying, “Did you finish the story yet?”
Not yet, Lloyd, but I’m working on it.
The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce Welcomes Marathon Runners to Harlem By Hazel Rosetta Smith
The temperature was appropriate, the winds had ceased, and the runners were soaring throughout the five boroughs of New York. It was the annual marathon of committed citizens fulfilling their hope of completing the 26.2 miles from the starting line on Staten Island to the finish line in Central Park.
The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce (GHCC) continued their annual partnership with New York Road Runners in welcoming the international community of marathon athletes and advocates along blocks from 135th Street down to 96th Street on Fifth Avenue.
This portion of the marathon is named to honor the iconic civic rights leader and businessman Percy Sutton who was instrumental in establishing the TCS New York City Marathon as a five-borough event.
On Marathon Sunday, November 2, 2025, the Greater Harlem Chamber operated four spectacular stages: Stage 1 at East 135th Street & Fifth Avenue – Gospel & Spiritual Live Performances, saluting the music of Hezekiah Walker & Erica Campbell; Stage 2 at East 135th Street & Fifth Avenue featured the Best of R&B and Hip Hop, saluting the music of Busta Rhymes & Angie Stone; Stage 3 featured The Sound of Harlem at West 121st Street & Mt. Morris Park West, celebrating the music of Quincy Jones & Roberta Flack, and Stage 4 – Latin & Caribbean-The Beat of the African Diaspora at West 117th Street & Fifth Avenue, saluting the music of Eddie Palmieri and Rita Marley.
From my advantage, the tent located at 124th Street & Fifth Avenue, where the runners made a historic 22-mile marker turn, the music was popping from the sensational sounds of Uptown Royalty NYC’s husband and wife team, Jodi Music and Ron Renaissance, artists of Lewis and Kirk Music.
Winston Majette of GHCC was on point in his usual welcoming spirit introducing notables who stopped by that included: City Councilmember Yusef Salaam, Assemblyman Jordan Wright, Jackie Rowe Adams of Harlem Mothers & Fathers S.A.V.E., and others.
It was another great day to be in Harlem, to cheer on the runners, to laugh and enjoy the company of community and to thank the Greater Chamber of Harlem for their ongoing community outreach and service.
Our hearts were sadden remembering the recent passing of Lloyd Williams, the Chamber’s longtime, most admirable leader, but our hope was confirmed on this day that his good work was not in vain, GHCC is alive and well. Touche.
National Urban League Empowerment Center Ribbon Cutting
On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce (GHCC) recently joined our member the National Urban League’s (NUL), President & CEO Marc H. Morial (center, holding scissors) for a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of their Urban League Empowerment Center headquarters at 117 West 125th Street in Harlem, USA. Morial is joined here by key agency partners, including GHCC Executive Director Winston Majette and Senior Associate Dietrice Bolden.
The Urban League Empowerment Center (ULEC) is a landmark $242 million development that brings the NUL's national headquarters back to Harlem. It embodies the NUL's mission of economic empowerment, equity, and justice by featuring affordable housing, office space for nonprofits, retail, and the forthcoming Urban Civil Rights Museum in Harlem.
OP-ED: Lloyd Williams: With the ancestors, yes, but forever in Harlem
by Herb Boyd January 8, 2026
In last week’s edition of the AmNews we repeated our salutes to Charles Rangel and Hazel Dukes, two notable New Yorkers who joined the ancestors. Continuing our extended praise song, I offer this one in memory of Lloyd Williams, who was inseparably linked to Mr. Rangel and Ms. Dukes.
Hardly a momentous occasion in Harlem went by without the trio headlining it. I met Lloyd first in the late 80s during a book signing, and he approached me and asserted, “So, you think you’re all that, huh?” I was momentarily stunned by the comment but was instantly relieved by his smile and warm embrace.
Lloyd, as many of his friends and associates knew, had a way of unbalancing and then charming you. After this rather abrupt introduction, he asked me to autograph several of my books, “and bring three to my office this week.”
From that beginning, more than 40 years ago, our relationship evolved into a productive one in which he secured my services, mainly as a co-writer on many of his projects. There was a precision in his editing skills that consistently elevated and refined whatever assignment we engaged.
Our friendship congealed further when I traveled with him and others to Martinique in 2015, where we were part of a diplomatic and commercial delegation representing the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce. Whether in conversation with the nation’s leaders or with vendors in the various shops, Lloyd was as commanding as he was gregarious. I never had any doubts about his leadership capability, and what he had done in Harlem was demonstrated abroad. Our last collaboration, along with other writers, was a sequel, of sorts, to “Forever Harlem,” a dream project we worked tirelessly on.
In many respects, this unpublished tome was his magnum opus, his tribute to a community he served unstintingly. Somehow, someway, one day it will stand as a testament to his commitment to Harlem, his love for its people, and its promise. During the holidays, I received a card from his family, emblazoned with a wonderful, smiling portrait of Lloyd, which now graces a mantel in my living room. Each day, when I walk by it, I can almost hear him saying, “Did you finish the story yet?”
Not yet, Lloyd, but I’m working on it.
Harlem's Holcombe Rucker Park to be named a national commemorative site
Rucker Park in Harlem is one of the most famous basketball courts in the world. As CBS News New York's Allen Devlin reports, a new congressional act enshrines the park not only as a piece of basketball history but American history.Jan 9, 2025
