NEW YORK (WABC) — As New York City’s largest borough, and second most populated, Queens is home to nearly 2.3 million people. The borough is known for its historical landmarks, major airports, sports, entertainment venues and famous Atlantic Coast beaches.
It’s also in Queens that African Americans have a rich, longstanding history. The borough was once home to abolitionists and stops on the Underground Railroad.
In the mid 20th century, during the Great Migration, many Black Americans moved from the segregated south to Queens for better jobs and more opportunity. During the 1940s and 1950s, they bought homes in St. Albans, a neighborhood that symbolized Black achievement.
And in the late 20th century, notable R&B and hip hop artists, born and raised in Queens, influenced arts and culture.
On this special edition of Here and Now, we pay tribute to African American legends and the younger generation preparing to become the future leaders of Queens.
Watch the full one-hour special of Here and Now on demand in the media player above.
Segments featured on this special:
Queens College Hosts Here and Now’s First Show In Front of a Live Audience
For the first time ever, Here and Now recorded its show in front of a live audience.
The taping happened on the campus of Queens College, City University of New York, an institution deeply connected to the struggle for civil rights and social justice.
In fact, in 1965, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at the school after Queens College student Andrew Goodman along with fellow civil rights workers James Chaney and Michael Schwerner were murdered in Mississippi during the Freedom Summer Voter Registration Drive.
Here to discuss is Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Queens Historian TL Cross.
Life Camp Preventing Violence Among Youth in South Jamaica
There are so many great neighborhoods in Queens to grow up in.
However, like many other urban areas in the country, it’s not always easy, as young people face a long list of temptations and challenges.
Since 2002, Life Camp Inc. has been on the frontline in South Jamaica, Queens, leading the way when it comes to interrupting violence in the community. Embedded in the neighborhood, Life Camp focuses on young people who are most suspectible.
Their approach is to treat violence as a disease and to make peace a lifestyle choice. Here and Now recently spent some time with Life Camp’s Peace Ambassadors.
Joining us with more is Erica Ford, the founder and CEO of Life Camp Inc. and author of “The Peace Doctor’s Playbook: 365 Days to a Stronger, More Powerful You.”
Learn more about the nonprofit organization on the Life Camp website.
Profile of New York City’s First HBCU Early College Prep High School
The city’s first ever HBCU Early College Prep High School is giving young Black students in Queens a head start.
The school is unlike any other in the country, giving students early exposure to HBCUs and guaranteeing admission to Delaware State University, once they earn their associate’s degree.
Dr. Aysha Johnson is the principal and visionary behind the school. She joins us on our program to tell us more about her students and the school’s mission.
The Life and Legacy of Black Inventor Lewis Latimer
During the colonial era, systematic racism kept Black inventors from obtaining patents and oftentimes minimized their contributions once those patents came through.
Lewis Latimer is one of the most overlooked inventors in American history.
His contributions to electric lighting and the telephone are immeasurable and essential to modern technology.
Latimer lived in Flushing, Queens in the early 1900s. Today, his home helps tell the true story of his life and legacy.
Here to tell us more is Latimer’s great grand nephew and board member of the Lewis Latimer House, Hugh Price.
Influence of Louis Armstrong, Jazz and R&B Music
Louis Armstrong is considered one of the greatest musicians of all time credited with spearheading the evolution of jazz from the 1920 to 1940s.
A trumpeter, band leader, singer and civil rights activist, Armstrong earned his place in American music history.
He was a longtime resident of Corona, Queens. Today, his home, perfectly preserved, is a museum that tells the story of his personal life and and musical legacy.
Joining us to talk about the impact of jazz and R&B musicians from Queens are Grammy Award-winning jazz drummer Lenny White, renowned bass player Barry Johnson and WBLS on-air radio personality Jeff Fox.
Queens and Hip Hop
There is no question that the Bronx takes pride as the birthplace of hip hop. But Queens played an outsized role in the creation of this global phenomenon as well.
To set the record straight, Here and Now recently caught up with Ralph McDaniels (a.k.a. Uncle Ralph), the creator of Video Music Box, and hip hop legend Darryl McDaniels, a member of one of the most influential groups in the history of hip hop: Run-DMC.
And continuing our conversation about Queens’ contribution to hip hop is the first female rapper ever-signed to a major record label, Crystal Jackson (a.k.a. Sweet Tee) and rising rap star Kyah Baby. Also joining the discussion again is historian TL Cross.
Here and Now with Sandra Bookman airs Sundays at 12:00 p.m. on Channel 7, WABC-TV in New York City.
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