Entertainers & Entrepreneurs Who Relocated to Harlem

by A Collier
relocated to harlem

Entertainers & Entrepreneurs Who Relocated to Harlem

They weren’t born here, but they live in our neighborhood now. Here are some entertainers and entrepreneurs who relocated to Harlem.

relocated to harlem

They weren’t born here, but they live in our neighborhood now. Here are three entertainers who relocated to Harlem.

History lives in Harlem, but it also settles here from other places around the country and the world. The strength in community that Harlem offers is hard to leave once you’ve felt that love. And today, we want to talk about some people who came to Harlem to bring their own greatness to the neighborhood. They weren’t born here, but they live in our neighborhood now. Here are some entertainers and entrepreneurs who relocated to Harlem.

G. Keith Alexander

At the top of the list of famous people who relocated to Harlem is our very own G. Keith Alexander. Though G. Keith is a Harlem radio legend and his love for this neighborhood led him to found the HarlemAmerica Digital Network, he was actually born in Chicago. His big dreams of becoming the most popular radio DJ led him to the Big Apple, and he’s proud to call Harlem his home.  

You can learn more about G. Keith’s journey here or listen to him work his radio host magic on the latest episodes of the “What’s Hot! HarlemAmerica with G. Keith Alexander” podcast.

Dinah Washington

Entertainment fame was what brought Ruth Lee Jones to Harlem, too, though you probably know her better by her stage name: Dinah Washington. The most popular Black female recording artist of the 1950s was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 1924 and moved to Chicago as a child. There, she performed in clubs starting at the young age of 15 and by the early 1940s, she was onstage with the likes of Fats Waller. She opened a show at the Apollo Theater in late 1943, and her time in Harlem was what solidified her place as Queen of the Blues with hits like “Ain’t Misbehavin,”  “Salty Papa Blues,” and her many collaborations with Brook Benton, including “A Rockin’ Good Way.”

Yusuf Hasan

Yusuf Hasan has been the chairman of Harlem’s African American Day Parade since 2013, having served 40 years on its Board of Directors before that. He was born in Alabama and grew up during the civil rights era. He moved to Westbury in Long Island at 15 and then relocated to Harlem in 1973. His strong commitment to the community is what makes him a perfect addition to our neighborhood. His community work doesn’t end with one parade, though, Hasan also helps with the annual Juneteenth/KingFest Celebration Parade as well as other events within Harlem and in his faith community. To hear him talk about the 2021 African American Day Parade and much more with his fellow Harlem transplant and HalemAmerica Digital Network’s founder and CEO, check out this episode of the “What’s Hot! HarlemAmerica with G. Keith Alexander.

The Harlem Community Is More Than Just the Neighborhood

There are Harlems all over the world – places where you, your community, and your business care about each other and work to lift each other up. That’s why HarlemAmerica wants to help you connect with the Harlems of the World. We are passionate about helping your small business reach your target audience with podcast and TV content they’ll love.

Show off your big moves and join the HarlemAmerica Digital Network today! We are looking for Black small business owners, entrepreneurs, and Harlem businessmen who are looking to establish fame, fortune, and followers. Check out our website to learn more about our small business membership packages.

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