Greg & Jaivyn, St. Albans, New York, 2012
Grandma's Couch, St. Albans, New York, 2016
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My grandmother couch in the home she's owned for over 20 years. The home is also where I've lived for 13 years.
Ms. Laborde & Ms. Marlene, St. Albans, New York, 2013
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For nearly 30 year, the two have run a day care center out of Ms. Laborde's home for local residents.
Joyce's Backyard, St. Albans, New York, 2016
Tony, St. Albans, New York, 2014
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Tony has lived in St. Albans, Queens for over 50 years. In the late 60’s, Mr. Tims was present for the original painting of Liberty Rock; representing a symbol of Black power. Mr. Tims remembers using a bucket of green paint from his father's garage to help finish the base. Before it was painted, it was a memorial for veterans of the United States Armed Forces who resided in Southeast Queens.
Nu-Clear Cleaners, St. Albans, New York, 2014
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Nu-Clear Cleaners is most notable for being featured in the Hip-Hop music group A Tribe Called Quest's music video Check the Rhime. In 2016 a Mural dedicated to the group was made on the right side of the cleaners.
St. Albans Lady Trojans before practice, St. Albans, New York, 2014
The former home of Joe Louis and Rose Morgan, St. Albans, New York, 2014
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The former home of world heavyweight boxer, Joe Louis, and his second wife, Rose Morgan, in Addisleigh Park of St. Albans, NY. On Christmas day in 1955, Joe and Rose had their wedding ceremony in this home.
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Mignone, from Haiti, at the Maranatha French SDA Church in St. Albans. The church is considered a second home to many Haitian-Americans of Southeast Queens.
Rock at the Maranatha French SDA Church, St. Albans, New York, 2015
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The former home of Count Basie in Addisleigh Park of St. Albans, Queens. Mr. Basie was one of the first notable names to move into St. Albans in the 1940s and influenced a trend for other well known Black entertainers and athletes for the next several decades.
Al, St. Albans, New York, 2013
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owner and mechanic of A&B Service Center in St. Albans. He has been in business for over 40 years.
Tasha Stoudymire and her daughters Amani and Asadah, St. Albans, New York, 2014
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Paulette Atkinson Fuller is the owner of "St. Albans Station Florist". For the funeral of DJ Jam Master Jay of Run DMC, she created a turntable made of flowers. She has worked as a florist for almost 40 years and has served the St. Albans community since 1999.
John Lundy in his barbershop, St. Albans, New York, 2015
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Mr. Lundy was one of the longest business owners in St. Albans with 50 years of business. He served in the Navy during World War Two and was a member of the Navy's boxing team. Retired and closed down his business in 2016
John's Barbershop, St. Albans, New York, 2015
B.A.C.E 14U tournament at the Roy Wilkins Recreation Center, St. Albans, New York 2014
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It was about ten years since Charles Coleman, founder of B.A.C.E Basketball, ran the tournament. Former players of the tournament, then kids and now parents, approached him to bring it back. Mr. Coleman established B.A.C.E (Be A Community Educator) in 1987.
Monica her daughter Olivia at Roy Wilkins tennis court, St. Albans, New York, 2015
Elaine, St. Albans, New York, 2015
Hilburn Avenue, St. Albans, New York, 2015
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Reverend Simmons, born and raised in North Carolina, has been a minister of the St. Albans Congregational Church since 1991. When many of the notable black entertainers and athletes lived in the community, SACC grew to become a wealthy Black church.
Brinkerhoff Avenue, St. Albans, New York, 2015
Since the 1940's, St. Albans was one of the few places in New York City in the 20th century where black people could pursue the American dream of homeownership and running their own business. Located in Southeast Queens, the predominantly African-American and Caribbean-American working and middle-class neighborhood is known by locals for its pride, strength, unity and for housing several black entertainers and athletes. James Brown, John Coltrane, Count Basie, Lena Horne, Billie Holiday, and Jackie Robinson are just a few of the notable people who’ve lived here at some point. The rich history of this community makes me feel fortunate to call it my hometown.
The 2008 housing crisis heavily struck St. Albans and transformed the community from being the heart of the American dream for Black Americans to the heart of mortgage fraud. Black communities throughout NYC were targeted by banks with predatory loans, nearly six times more than the White communities affected. The neighbors I expected to stay forever had moved, businesses closed or downsized, and the upkeep of many homes were not at their best. Nearly 10 years later the effects of the housing crisis still exist; however the positive qualities of this community can still be found.
Through portraiture, still life, and landscape, this work celebrates the pride of St. Albans in the midst of economic hardship. Preserving the identity of one of New York City’s historic, underrepresented black communities.