Growing African community adds layer of diversity
With Cuba and the Dominican Republic in the fold for the immigrant-focused 2017 Harlem Week festivities, including Senegal – representing the African continent – was a logical next step.
Under the theme, “Harlem: Home of Immigrants—Honoring New York’s International Diversity,” there will be a Senegalese eatery participating in Restaurant Week in Harlem, as well as a Senegalese village along W. 135th St. during Harlem Day, Aug. 20. Senegalese are a fast-growing segment of the Harlem community.
“For years we have had a significant increase in the number of immigrants to Harlem from Senegal, so much so that a stretch of the community on 116th St. from Fifth Ave. to Frederick Douglass Blvd. is called ‘Little Senegal’,” said Lloyd Williams, president and CEO of The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce.
“At one time, the Senegalese Embassy was located next door to the Apollo Theater on 125th St. But now, it’s located on 116th St., and rightfully so,” he said, referring to the thriving area and its vibrant cultures.
Known as Le Petit Senegal, the area is also home to West African immigrants from Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Gambia, Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire. It’s estimated that legal African immigrants make up 4%, of the 2.9 million foreignborn New Yorkers. That number is rapidly increasing.
While Little Senegal has a proliferation of restaurants, stores, a bazaar and other attractions, during Harlem Week, examples of the culture will also abound throughout the community - particularly its food, fashion, dance and music.
“Long before we began having an official relationship with Harlem Week, I was often a spectator at the various events, especially where the African drums were present,” said Amadou Sembene, a volunteer at the Senegal Embassy who has been a liaison to Little Senegal and helped bridge the gap between Harlem and Senegalese culture.
A span of that bridge will be evident during Harlem Week.
“We are glad to be part of the festivities, and it will be a grand opportunity for visitors to get a better idea of our history and culture,” said Sembene. “And maybe we will get a chance to discuss some of the problems we are encountering with the spread of gentrification. Little Senegal is now shrinking and suffering some of the loss of culture and history that is now negatively impacting too much of black Harlem.”