This past friday I went to building number 215 on west 125th street to interview a man named Joe Persons. Mr. Persons is the founder and director of the Harlem Historical Society, an organization that was established in 1992 because there was no other organization that wanted to preserve Harlem Arts.

Person, a Chicago native, became intrigued with the rich musical, dramatic, and artistic history of Harlem. He began to collect the works of Harlem arts, writers and musicians such as Langston Hughes, Duke Ellington, and Zora Neale Hurston. Persons was never inspired by a single person but more like the entire black race.

Persons feels that Harlem¹s historical past is essential to the growth process of Harlem¹s youth. He also told Khalid Muhammad and I that Hip Hop¹s figurative roots are located in Harlems musical past. The beat and hooks can be found in the works of the greats like Duke Ellington.

The Historical society preserves the works of Harlems past to help to push the future. It is an organization that needs time to excell and it will eventually in time. Joe Person advised Harlem and the worlds youth to listen to the works of Lauryn Hill and her inspirational words and ³the youth will be ok.²

On Feb 7, there will be a Harlem Arts Alliance meeting @ The Empowerment Zone on 486 west 125th street and Lenox Ave @10 a.m.
Teens can encounter the arts through the:
Harlem School of The Arts
The Childrens Art Carnival