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April 22, 2022 • Schneps Media
Figure Skating in Harlem:
25 years and growing
BY BARRY WILNER
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A quarter-century ago, Sharon
Cohen founded an organization
that, to some,
made little sense. After all, how
many figure skaters would she
find in Harlem?
Figure Skating in Harlem celebrates
its 25th anniversary with a
gala on April 25, and has become
a success story built on academics,
social growth and, well, yes,
ice time.
“I am incredibly proud because of
how many people have come together
for such a mission,” Cohen said.
“We took sort of a 360-degree view
and started on a collective journey
in doing good, and being a springboard
for young people to discover
themselves and go out in the world.”
The organization’s objective is
helping girls from various racial and
ethnic backgrounds transform their
lives by growing in confidence, leadership
and academic achievement.
Clearly, it has worked. FSH graduates
are deep into their careers or
attending universities throughout
the United States. The current students,
emerging from COVID-19
pandemic restrictions, are returning
to something like normal. Cohen is
even seeing second-generation skaters
in the program.
Figure Skating in Harlemcombines
the power of education with
access to the artistic discipline of
figure skating “to build champions
in life.”
Its gala will honor several such
champions, from 2022 Olympic
gold medalist Nathan Chen to actress/
humanitarian Whoopi Goldberg;
singer/songwriter Valerie
Simpson; Unilever’s chief operating
officer of EVP beauty and personal
care Esi Eggleston Bracey; Portfolia
Rising America Fund lead partner
Lorine Pendleton; and Bernice De-
Abreu, a member of the New York
Board of Education who specializes
in computer literacy and elementary
education and is known as the “godmother
of FSH.”
All of the women have been longtime
supporters of the organization,
while Chen follows in the line of so
many superb skaters.
“It is always great when we have
an Olympian come and meet with
the girls,” Cohen said. “Scott Hamilton
was first to get on the ice with
the girls, giving them pointers, and
his presence meant so much. Same
with Sarah Hughes. Right after
Sarah won gold in 2002 she came
straight to Harlem, and she has gone
on to a great career in education
and law. She is an incredible role
model, like Nathan, a Yale student,
a scholar.
“I think it means a lot when
they’re physically present with us
and come to our events to get the
word out and share the mission.
We’re a mission that hits at the heart
and that people can understand.”
Chen, who has won six straight
U.S. titles and three world championships,
couldn’t agree more.
“The organization has done so
much for figure skating and is such,
I guess, a great sort of icon with this
department of figure skating,” he
said. “The fact we as skaters have a
chance to be involved outside (competition)
with organizations like Figure
Skating in Harlem a privilege.”
A legacy of
greatness
LAURA DIFFERENDER
This photo provided by Figure Skating in Harlem shows Figure Skating in Harlem students performing
in the 2022 Ice Show, City of Dreams: A Skating Love Letter to NYC at Riverbank State Park in
BY ESTHER WICKHAM
The creators of the Uptown
Night Market and the Bronx
Night Market brings you
their latest series, Harlem Bazaar,
on May 20.
This monthly event will feature
over 50 vendors ranging from
unique clothing, hand-crafted
jewelry, food, and more. The bazaar
will take place every third
Friday of the month, giving New
Yorkers a chance to shop for a
variety of unique goods and be a
part of something bigger.
The purpose of this event series
will be to support the great entrepreneurs
of the boroughs and
those micro-businesses by including
fun and affordable experiences.
Their goal is simple: they want
all people – from all walks of life –
to experience great food in a fun,
engaging, and entertaining way.
Harlem Bazaar will also host
live music performances, which
will pull in those who live locally
and travelers from areas like
Washington Heights.
“The Harlem Bazaar idea started
during the pandemic when we
saw a 400% increase in applications
from merch, arts & culture,
fashion, and self-care-based businesses
– mostly by women entrepreneurs.”
Marco Shalma, the
founder of Harlem Bazaar and
CEO of MASC Hospitality Group,
said. “The team and I knew that
we couldn’t fit all these amazing
creative businesses in our Uptown
Night Market or Bronx Night
Market, which are predominantly
known to be foodie festivals. So
when the state plaza – smackdown
in the center of 125th – became an
option, we all knew what we needed
to do. This is going to be the
biggest flex of creativity in NYC.
Hands down.”
For more information, visit
www.maschospitalitygroup.com
or harlembazaar.com.
BUZZ
Creators of the thriving Uptown Night to launch Harlem Bazaar
PHOTOS COURTESY OF HARLEM BAZAAR
The Harlem Bazaar debuts on May 20.
/www.maschospitalitygroup.com
/www.maschospitalitygroup.com
/harlembazaar.com
