People of The Bronx

Jose “Chema” Soto, Founder of Rincon Criollo aka ‘Casa de Chema’ Passes Away

Out of the hundreds of “casitas” or little houses that dot community gardens across New York City, there is one that is known by folks all over—considered the oldest and largest one in NYC—and it is Rincon Criollo aka Casa de Chema named by locals for its founder, Jose “Chema” Soto who passed away Thursday at the age of 70.

When residents of the South Bronx were left to their own devices among rubble and ruin, Don Chema took it upon himself to clean up an abandoned lot on Brook Avenue and 158th Street 40 years ago back in 1975.

A Pillar of Pelham Parkway and The Bronx, Elaine Feder, Passes Away

The Bronx has one less activist and proud community member.

Elaine Feder (née Serkes), a lifetime resident of the Pelham Parkway neighborhood of our borough and a founding member of the Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association passed away earlier this week.

“She was passionate and fierce when it came to the quality of life of this neighborhood. She help us to start the Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association and was part of our board since the very beginning.” said friend PPNA member, Louis Lutnick.

An Interview With Maria, AKA Sonia Manzano, As She Says Goodbye To Sesame Street

I remember my first memories of watching television as a young child in the late 70s and early 80s. Each day I would sit down and watch Sesame Street which my mother diligently always made sure was on for me.

For me, it was an extension of school since I was already in Head Start at the age of 4 and Sesame Street, with Oscar, The Count, Big Bird, Burt and Ernie, and of course Maria (played by Bronxite and Emmy award-winning actress and writer, Sonia Manzano), were my after school teachers.

Historic District Council’s FREE Summer Mixer This Monday!

We are at a critical juncture in our borough’s history.

101 years ago, when The Bronx was born as the 62nd and last county of New York State in Melrose at The Old Bronx Borough Courthouse, there began a frenzy and expansion into our borough that forever changed our landscape.

Today we are facing a second gold rush so to speak as we are considered the last frontier in real estate development in New York City—a city that is no longer recognizable to us with the loss of many neighborhoods that have succumbed to the white washing of gentrification and “progress” littered with the same chain store after chain store.

This is a chance to mingle and meet other Bronxites concerned about the future of our borough and the issues we face. It doesn’t matter if you’re from Riverdale, The South Bronx, Morris Park, Soundview, Throggs Neck, Kingsbridge or anywhere in The Bronx—this is an event for ALL of our residents.

Bronx Actor Lands Role in ‘Southpaw’ Alongside Jake Gyllenhaal

Tomorrow, when ‘Southpaw’ is released in theaters nationwide, a Bronx man will be gracing the silver screen in this sports flick that partially takes place in The Bronx (it’s mostly filmed Pittsburgh but some scenes were filmed in The Bronx).

Dominic Colón, a Bronx native still living in The Bronx, plays Billy Hope’s childhood chum, Mikey, who meet while growing up in a foster home. The role of Billy hope is portrayed by Oscar nominated Jake Gyllenhaal alongside the likes of Forest Whitaker and Rachel McAdams who also star in the movie.

Hip-Hop Museum Coming To The Old Bronx Courthouse?

After No Longer Empty’s residency and exhibition at the Old Bronx Borough Courthouse, ‘When You Cut Into The Preset The Future Leaks Out’, and over 6,000 visitors—over 75% from the area and not counting youth programs who graced the halls of this hallowed landmark—many have asked what now?

Well one possibility is that The Universal Hip Hop Museum—the only and official Hip-Hop museum chartered by the State of New York—may in fact call the Old Bronx Borough Courthouse Home. A fitting tribute given the fact that The Bronx is the birthplace of the global phenomenon that is Hip-Hop.

Get Ready To Boogie Down The Concourse! Boogie On The Boulevard is Back!

For 3 Sundays in August (August 2nd, 9th, & 16th) the center lanes of The Grand Concourse will be closed off to vehicular traffic from Noon to 4PM stretching from 161st Street all the way to 167th Street—doubling last year’s footprint of the event!

There will be tons of activities on these days for folks of all ages with free music, arts programs by local artists, and many more! Oh and speaking of art, The BxArts Factory will be on hand with art workshops in their outdoor gallery with DJs spinning music reflecting the borough’s diverse cultures as murals are painted by local artists!

Undesiging the Red Line Interactive Exhibit

Join Designing the We for a new conversation on how Undesigning the Redline and contextualizing the work we do in the Bronx, New York City, and beyond opens alternative models, collaborations, and processes where another reality is possible. Check out the interactive exhibit and participate in new conversations, both one-on-one and in small groups.

The BDC responds to criticism of Chris Arnade’s inclusion in Altered Images exhibition

The following is syndicated via The Bronx Documentary Center in response to criticism of Chris Arnade’s inclusion in their most recent exhibition, Altered Images, which explores 150 years of photographic manipulation whether by altering physical images themselves or setting up the scenes and passing it off as documentary journalism.

The images below may be disturbing and offensive to many. In fact, many people in The Bronx are offended at Arnade’s portrayal and exploitation of vulnerable women in Hunts Point and the depiction of a neighborhood that has already suffered from exploitation and outsiders controlling the narrative which is often not based on reality but often on fetishism.

First Woman In History to Be Honored With a Ticker Tape Parade Has A Bronx Connection

As the frenzy picks up for today’s celebration for the ticker tape parade being thrown in honor of the US Women’s Soccer Team win, it is in fact not a first for women.

Although the US Women’s Soccer Team is indeed a first for a women’s team, there was one woman who got her own parade that has the honor of being the first—someone who eventually made our borough her home and final resting place.

This Video Pretty Much Sums Up Why We Love The REAL Little Italy & The Bronx’s Italian Restaurants

In a borough that is home to so many great mom and pop restaurants and the home of Arthur Ave, New York City’s REAL Little Italy, it always baffles me why someone in The Bronx would choose to go to a chain restaurant like the Olive Garden.

That’s DEFINITELY not the ‘cucina italaliana’ (Italian kitchen) I grew up with spending time with my Italian high school friends and their families.

Trump Gets Bronx Cheer From Thousands—And Not Just Bronxites As NYC Moves to Possibly Cancel Contracts

Never underestimate the power of The Bronx.

On Monday when we started the petition calling for New York City to cancel the contract with Donald Trump at Ferry Point Golf Course after his disparaging remarks and factually incorrect remarks about Mexican immigrants, we thought it was just a pipe dream that we would be heard and listened to.

But now it seems that Mayor Bill de Blasio and his administration have hears our collective calls as our petition has reached over 5,000 signatures.