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THE BLACK HERITAGE BOOK STORE
The Black Heritage Book and Gift store, on Adam C. Powell JR Boulevard, sales various Afrocentric artifacts that represent the history and the progression of the African-American nation. Artifacts such as; colored only signs, biographies and books on forgotten black leaders and many other important mementos of the African-American heritage. HarlemLive interviewed store manager, Elijah Shabazz, about the significance of the store's past present and future in this vibrant community.
The Black Heritage Books and Gift shop has not always been exclusively dedicated to selling Afro-centric artifacts to the Harlem community. Two years ago, the Black Heritage Book store sold tapes of speeches and lectures, by influential black figures from the media. However, now, the Black Heritage Store not only distributes educational tapes, but they have also stocked the store with books, clothing, gifts, and cards made exclusively by black manufacturers. Black Heritage Books provides publicity to African-American manufacturers who are often overlooked by large corporations. Shabazz wants to give entrepreneurs and small business owners exposure and the opportunity to sell their product.
It's not accidental that the Black Heritage is located in the center of Harlem. "Harlem is the mecca of black culture," stated Shabazz, and by providing the people in the community with a sense of history he feels he is playing an important part in the resurrection of Harlem. This resurrection would return Harlem to its glory days. To the times when stores were owned by your next door neighbor and when there was a real sense of community and unity in Harlem. To the times before the big corporations invaded Harlem. Although Shabazz loves managing the store, his first love is the hip hop industry. Shabazz's music is greatly influenced by the Nation of Islam and by the great figures affiliated with the Nation of Islam. He has teamed up with groups such as GangStar, and Duggie Fresh. Together, they produced inspirational and positive music, which promotes peace and Allah and shuns violence. Shabazz has been in the music industry since he was extremely young, however in 1986 (when he was 15), he gave up rapping because he feared that as he became more involved in the industry, his message and his image would be tarnished, because of the negative pressures of the industry. However, with age he realized that he did not have alter the message in his lyrics in order to be successful in the music industry. When he entered his twenties, he began to dedicate his time to his lyrics and eventually he put out his own CD. On his CD he praises Allah and conveys a positive image for both the young and the old to enjoy.
Shabazz believes that the fact that his shop is located in Harlem is extremely significant. He believes that with the recent commercialization of Harlem, it is necessary that more community based shops are open and thrive. He thinks that this commercialization will lead to the downfall of the African-American owned shops and eventually lead to the elimination of the black communities within Harlem. Mr. Shabazz believes that it is the responsibility of the community to unite to fight the industrialization of Harlem; thereby preventing an invasion of people from downtown New York.
Shabazz is concerned with how major media outlets portray Harlem. One of the goals of his store is to portray a positive image of Harlem to counteract the negative images of Harlem that are portrayed in the media. It is the responsibility of the people within the community to change the image of Harlem in the media. If the people do not step up then to fix the image that they are given then it will be everlasting. Shabazz stresses the importance of conveying positivity in whatever he does and whatever the community does. Shabazz is motivated and inspired by the teaching and writings of the nation of Islam. He grateful for all of the great things that it brought to him and he wants to share his teachings to all who will receive it. Our Black Heritage Books an Gifts 2295 Adam C. Powell Jr. BLVD N.Y. N.Y. 10030 917-507-3133/917-507-3137(fax) Take the 2 or 3 train to 135th Walk up the block to Adam C. Powell BLVD The shop is in the middle of the block between two brownstones |
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