Uncharted Territory

Profile: Adam Levine-Peres/28/Teacher/Social Media Commentator/Community Builder

On a cool Monday afternoon we met up with Adam Levine, the founder of Project Bronx, in Little Italy. We took our seats at The Bronx Beer Hall, which sits quaintly in the center of an Italian market. Amidst the noise from shoppers and the gazes of curious passersby, we began to chat about Project Bronx and what it’s like to navigate the uncharted territory that is The Bronx.

What part of the Bronx are you from?

I claim the South Bronx as my home specifically the Hunts Point, Simpson Street, Bryant Ave area. I lived there for 15 years and then [my family] moved around a lot. We lived by Soundview and Pelham Parkway for a while, and now I live by Kingsbridge/Riverdale. I teach around there. My grandmother also lived on White Plains Road and 231st. I used to go there every Sunday so I know of many different enclaves, many different neighborhoods.

How has living in these different areas shaped you into who you are today?

It has allowed me to see us - see people within our borough. I see it as different seasoning to a steak, it’s like different types of flavors that you can add or take away and I like that.

“It’s more like cultural exchange I won’t use cultural appropriation.
I’ve heard a lot of my Caribbean/Jamaican by White Plains Rd say ‘I’m going to the bodega,’ which is a quintessential Spanish word, saying things like ‘put the bobo on’ and vice versa, Nuyoricans and other Latinos using other jargon, other types of language.
We all borrow things from one another because we are neighbors.”

It’s fun to be a part of that. I grew up around that.

Can you tell us more about Project Bronx?

Project Bronx is a YouTube web series that focuses on highlighting the voices of the Bronx. We go to different areas, man on the street style interview style and ask various questions.

Some of them are a little serious and some of them are funny but they all connect with what is community. At the end of the day, I want folks to talk. I want people to talk to folks that they may not normally talk to and talk about things that they may not usually talk about. That’s where I want [Project Bronx] to go and where I think it has gone.

When interviewing people is it easy to approach them or are some of them apprehensive?

Folks that are being interviewed are skeptical, as they should be, so it’s second nature to be as approachable as possible and let folks know we are from here and what our mission is right off the bat. Then the comfort factor comes. When we first started I used to get discouraged by rejections but I brush it off because I understand. It’s become easier because we (June Baby Productions, the people behind the camera), and I have gotten more comfortable.

How did you come up with the idea for Project Bronx?

It was Hurricane Sandy, I was stuck at home and I went on YouTube, I was just doing research and I typed in "The Bronx." Videos that came up were a lot of rappers, which is cool, and then I saw a lot of news reports on YouTube on the Bronx being the poorest congressional district, to poverty, to food deserts all of those things that, though debatable, may be true may not be true however, they’re one hundred percent negative. One thing I noticed was [the reports] were always from the outside looking in. It’s always an outsider speaking about us; our issues, our problems, and it’s hurtful. They point out the deficits without actually wanting to come up with a solution. No one talks about solutions.

I thought “wow, we need to do something about this." I thought about my students, the fact the Bronx has the lowest voter turnout. It’s the lowest within the five boroughs, you gotta ask yourself why. Media plays a massive role in that.

Why the name “Project Bronx”?

“I feel like we are uncharted territory, we as a people and as a community.
We are disenfranchised for the most part and folks don’t give us the time of day.”

So I decided that this was something that needs to be changed and as a teacher, when we see something that needs to be changed, we assign it. If you want to test something, you’re going to do an experiment. If you want to create something, which is what we were creating with this YouTube channel, it’s a project. It was Project Bronx specifically open ended because everyone can learn from this project.

I think that also affects how recent transplants view the area they are in, how do they begin to claim the Bronx as their own?

There are two types of transplants in my opinion, there are immigrant/migrant transplants and then there are hipster transplants. One set of people relocate for better opportunities. They slowly become a part of the community by participating in the local activities and opening businesses. I see a lot of South American and African restaurants, it’s awesome to see them apart of the community.

Then there are hipster transplants and we have to question why they are coming here in the first place. Bottom line is cheap rent, ‘cause if you could afford to live in SoHo, you would. You’re choosing to live in the South Bronx or Kingsbridge because that’s what you can afford and that’s fine, but then you have to understand that you are in a community that already exists. Their presence alone changes the texture of the community, so it is essential we are sensitive to that. They also learn about the existing community and participate in it.

Have you noticed any change in the way your students, family members, or people you come in contact with on a regular basis view the Bronx since beginning your work with Project Bronx?

In terms of friends and colleagues, they’ll take the effort to shop at a local Bronx supermarket or join a gym in the Bronx which is cool. It’s nice to know that our money is going back into our borough.  Some of my students will come up to me and say, “yo Mister, I really like what you’re doing.” There’s a sense of pride in themselves, like pride by association, and I’m not anybody. They know me and then they see I’m on the internet and they see that it’s a positive thing and they feel like they’re getting residual cool points from that, as they should. I would have never guessed that this would have that kind of affect on them.

You’ve covered different topics on your channel, for instance: “Bronx Swag, What is Justice,” and your most recent, “Who Are Your Top 5 Favorite Rappers?” How do you choose what topic you’re going to discuss on your channel?

I tried doing an informal survey at work with my kids, that didn’t quite work out. So I basically go home and think about stuff that I would like. I’m equally a political junky and social justice advocate, half ratchet and half crazy. That may be inappropriate but that’s the Bronx in me. We’re gonna talk about Hip Hop, we’re gonna talk about different things. Maybe things that people would say “Oh my God, I can’t believe he would bring that up!” But at the same time I’m equally trying to talk about issues that matter and affects all folks.

In one of our first interviews, the interviewee, Donzell Crow, stated “even if it’s not a paper, which is the traditional way of sharing information, it could be a blog. That’s definitely needed so there can be one voice [in the Bronx].” I saw your BronxNet interview when you spoke about “guerilla-styled” media that tries to highlight the Bronx. With multiple organizations that share similar visions but have different voices, how do you suggest we become cohesive? Is it possible?

I don’t know if it’s possible, but I think that they’re equally important. This morning I literally woke up thinking, “You can’t be all things to all people,” and it just kept repeating. I can’t be all things to all people, y’all can’t be all things to all people, and that is ok. What we can be is who we are and believe in what we are doing as long as we are being organic and genuine then we’ll fit into our lanes. And the good thing is communication, communication is key. That’s where the cohesiveness can exist but it’s a very utopian idea for every single individual to get along and play along. People have egos and that’s human nature. As long you as you’re aware of what you do in a genuine matter then I think that will resonate.

The first time we met was during the High Bridge Photo Walk between Project Bronx and Bronx Narratives. It was inspiring to have so many creative individuals sharing their plans and ideas on how they want to enhance the Bronx, but is there a danger in like-minded individuals only getting together with each other and creating cocoon communities where we end up alienating those that actually need our help? How do we avoid that?

I immediately went to what I do for a living which is divorced 100% from my social media presence and Project Bronx. I’m working with low income, immigrant kids; my life is dedicated to that, that’s my life. So to go back to the question, it could be dangerous, I found it empowering myself to be with creative like-minded individuals, it felt very therapeutic because my 9-5,  Monday through Friday, is not as [creative]. But I guess what I would say, if you have time, which again is attached to privilege, would be to engage the community in general. Go to a soup kitchen or local church. Find out when there is clean up at a local park, make conversation with parents and kids. Be a positive citizen of this world, hopefully that transpires. Being positive is contagious. The other thing I would say to that is open the [media] channels up to everyday folk, which is what we do at Project Bronx already. Once they feel the authenticity they start lining up because we have a lot to say and we’re not heard.

How are you looking to expand Project Bronx?

My plan is to create more of a brand for myself as a social commentator. I don’t think I’m going to do seasons anymore. I think we gotta do something different. I’m going to start doing more vlogs. I’m a voice in the Bronx too and there is something about the social commentary coming from such a local voice. I want to be able to go in a direction where I’m hopefully equally entertaining but keep a very conscious message. With that the goal is to create a podcast and a website for me as an individual where you’ll be able to find the podcast and Project Bronx.

Follow Project Bronx on Twitter and visit his YouTube Channel.

Straight From Mexico to Pelham Parkway: Tacos El Bronco

When most people think of tacos, they think of endless toppings in a hard-crusted shell. Well, at least I do. When my fellow Bronx Narratives partner Hector suggested we try Tacos El Bronco, I did not know what to expect. “What’s so special about El Bronco’s tacos?” It took less than five minutes for me to eat those words. Literally. Quickly realizing I had a lack of understanding for the Mexican culture, I took the time to reevaluate, learn, and appreciate the mannerisms of another culture. When in Mexico, do as the Mexicans do.  

Nestled right on the corner of Pelham Parkway and White Plains Road is Tacos El Bronco, coincidently a few steps away from Taco Bell. Late afternoon or early evening, you will find a crowd of people patiently waiting in line for their orders to be taken. Quick, easy, and to the point, the owners of Tacos El Bronco have mastered the art of this phrase in every sense. With the sounds of the busy streets, kids running, people shopping, trains passing, and cars honking, the employees seamlessly get their customers in and out. After all, this is New York. Not to mention, the raw environment adds to the aesthetics of a budding food truck industry in New York City – quick food in a very busy neighborhood.

Prior to ordering the tacos, I asked Hector again: 

“What makes this taco truck so special?”

— Decota

His response:

“It’s straight to the point; it’s an authentic Mexican taco.”

— Hector

What is an authentic Mexican taco? Your meat preference, onions, cilantros, and a variety of hot peppers for my spicy lovers – that’s it? Yup, that’s it. Hector was right. It was straight to the point and by far the best taco I’ve ever tasted. The simplicity allows you to truly experience the essence of Mexican tacos and its setting gives street style food a new meaning.

The variety of meats includes: Cueritos (Pork Skin), Bistec (Steak), Pollo (Chicken), Carnitas (Fried Pork), Buche (Pork Stomach), Suadero (Tender Beef), Cabeza (Veal Head), Vegetariano (Vegetarian), Carne Enchilada (Spicy Pork), Chorizo (Mexican Sausage), Cecina (Salty Beef), Barbacoa (Goat), Lengua (Tongue), and Tripa (Tripe).

One of the owners, Anthony, explained he and his brother wanted to bring a piece of home to New York. Relocating from Mexico to the Big Apple, they originally set up shop in Brooklyn with a storefront restaurant and soon after launched their food truck on Pelham Parkway in 2009. They hope to expand their food truck business. They believe it offers accessibility and good homemade tacos to their customers.

Coda’s Corner – 5 out of 5 stars for Authenticity, Street Style, and Happy Customers.

Neighborhood Tales (Episode 01): Reynaldo Jefferson of Gun Hill Road

We're excited to share a new editorial series we've been working on called Neighborhood Tales. This was inspired by the idea of showing the diversity of Bronx neighborhoods and giving them more of a visual identity. First up, we have Reynaldo Jefferson of Gun HIll Road show us around. Watch below:

License to Drive

Profile: Claire Reneé/25/Singer, Songwriter, Professional Dancer, Lover of All Things Art. 

Who is Claire Reneé?

Claire is someone who is growing everyday and growing in my art. I sing jazz, R&B, and neo-soul. I like to write pop, country, when it comes to writing I don’t have any boundaries and I like to keep it like that. It keeps me versatile. The same with dance, I was classically trained at the Dance Theatre of Harlem and Alvin Ailey and after [learning] modern and ballet I couldn’t stop with that. There was so much out there, seeing people like Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul, I went on to hip-hop, popping, breaking, I wanted to encompass it all. If I go for something and I want to do it and pursue it as a career, I want to be really good at it. There is no option. Otherwise I won’t call myself a dancer, singer or songwriter. That’s who I am. That is the make-up of me, my art.

When did you realize you had a knack for writing and when did that cross over into songwriting?

I would write poems here and there or I would write in my journal but I never took it seriously, it was just for therapy. I remember in high school, we were reading Sula, I think, and we would have different assignment options and I decided to write a poem. To be honest, I was being lazy and I thought “I’m going to write a poem and whatever comes up, comes out, it’s a poem.” I was sick one day and I wasn’t in class, the next day everyone said, “The teacher read your poem, everyone loved it!” And I was thinking, “Why did she read that, I spent no time on it.” [My teacher] told me, “You’d make a great songwriter one day.” That always stuck with me. I didn’t get into it fully until I started taking singing seriously around college. I wanted to study Music Business, so I did that for a while. I realized I had so much more to say and that’s when my writing started.

Where are your favorite places to write?

Being a city kid for so long I definitely found solace and calm at skate parks. If you go to the skate park you see so many different shades, sizes, heights, eye colors, there’s unity and the sound of hearing the wheels on the pavement is therapeutic to me. I like to write in my room, at the beach. I like writing anywhere in nature, other than that the studio.

Do you have a favorite time of day to write?

Generally, I like to write at night, that’s when my creative juices start flowing. I feel I should take over the world when everything is closed and no one is doing business. But I also have my spur of the moment times. I’m not one of those songwriters that have to have a set way, it doesn’t help with versatility. One day I want a chance to write a dope song with a dope artist and sometimes you have deadlines and you have to be ready to write a song and complete it by the deadline.

Who are some of your favorite artists who influence you?

I could go on and on. Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, I dig her musicianship, she’s a prodigy. I admire any person but, especially a woman who goes into the studio or band rehearsal and knows what she’s talking about. We get such a bad rep as singers, especially female singers. Know your chords, be able to communicate with your drummer, your bass player. You don’t have to know every sharp and every flat but stuff like that is dope to me. Who else,  Brandon Boyd from Incubus, I love his voice. Justin Nozuka, Billie Holliday, she just has a sadness to her voice, it tugs at your heartstrings. Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Coltrane, Ahmad Jamal, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Diplo, that dude is crazy! His knowledge of music is beyond me. There are so many people.

I read on your website that you were dancing from the age of four. At what moment did you decide you would make music?

I think I was just sitting in one of the practice rooms at college and I got tired of not knowing how to play the piano [chuckles]. So I sat there, it was evening, I didn’t turn on the lights, and I thought, “I’m just going to play something.” And I came up with these random chords and I wrote a song. Whatever sounded good I memorized it in my hands and then from there, words. It just flowed naturally and I wrote my first real song which was called Love Music. It was weird that I composed and wrote my first song in the same instance. That’s when I really thought I could do this. I have things to say and clearly if I want to do music, I can. I’m somebody who hasn’t touched a piano ever and I just wrote a song.

What were the steps from that moment to making your first EP?

My first EP came a little while after that. From just starting to write and realizing that I had a voice even though it was very faint at the time, I really wanted to hone it and find someone to help me master what I was realizing about myself. The school that I was attending wasn’t helping me in that sense. I felt like I was actually way ahead compared to everybody else and I didn’t feel like I was being challenged. And they only studied classical which was actually very intimidating and not what I was checking. So I started studying with a voice teacher who went to Berklee College of Music. I told her I was thinking about auditioning for Berklee and she was there to play for my audition and it went surprisingly well.

I found out around Christmas that I got into Berkeley. That was another sign that I was really meant to do this. Boston was an interesting place. Definitely learned a lot about myself, I had some experiences. I hated Boston so I came back home and I was working a lot. I was studying with another teacher who taught at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music but for the most part I was working a lot and I just felt like I was stuck. I wasn’t writing, I wasn’t really singing much. I was just working and then I was tired and then I’d go to sleep. I would do the same things every day. I thought, “I can’t let this happen, I can’t get comfortable.” That’s how Doubts, Dreams and Ambitions came to fruition. I was at a point where I felt stuck and I felt like every time I looked at social media everybody had something going on but me. That can kind of play with your ego a little bit and I was like, “I need to get up and do something.” That’s why [the EP] is called Doubts, Dreams and Ambitions because we all have ’em.

When you were creating Doubts, Dreams and Ambitions it was because you fell into a routine, would you say that influenced your trip to L.A?

L.A. didn’t really become a thing until I started to realize that the scene isn’t here, unfortunately. There are a few of us young people trying to do stuff and that’s cool, but then again this whole “coming together” thing in New York has been very interesting. So I decided to check out L.A. It seems like all the people I listen to or check out are making trips to L.A. at some point in their process. That’s when the light switch went on; maybe New York needed a break from Claire.

How was that L.A. experience?

It was a great experience. I don’t know if I am super blessed to have met who I met but, I didn’t really know anybody. There was a poet I knew named Brooke Jean, we admired each other’s work through social media. She reached out and we became really good friends. That was my road dog in L.A. I was still working out there, so I met people at my job day to day. They actually slow down and make time to take things in and I think that’s what really helped me, I just learned to slow down. I went out there and people were like “what are you out here for?” And I’d say, “I just needed a change of pace,” and that was ok. I’d say that to people in New York and they’d respond, “Where are you going to live? What are you going to be doing? Do you have studio time set up?”

“ In L.A. everyone has time, everyone goes there for the simple fact that they do want to live out their dreams. Whether they’re good or bad or whatever you think of them, everybody is out there going for their dreams. You can come across a thirty-five year old trying to be a standup comedian and he has no shame in his game and they don’t make you feel bad over there for that. So I felt that was really cool, the fact that they have time. Even with all the traffic and everything that goes on. There’s a very zen vibe in L.A.”

With the change in vibes from NY vs. L.A., did you do any writing and did you notice a difference in your writing?

The beach was such an inspiration! And the weather too, I could be outside a lot more. The quality of life is different out there. It allowed me to write about the birds and the trees and nature because I was out in it more but it also allowed me to heal. There was also some dark stuff that came out that I felt like I wasn’t releasing here because I didn’t want to be here, and I didn’t want to do anything and I wasn’t motivated. So when I went out there and had a change in lifestyle things started coming out and it was okay. We’ll see what I have to say in my next project.

Was there anything you missed about the Bronx or New York in general?

I missed my Caribbean folks. In L.A. there is diversity but it stops at certain places. I realized one day I was wondering where the Puerto Ricans, the Dominicans, the Haitians, the Jamaicans, where is the Jamaican spot? There were times when I was craving a beef patty and I was like where do I go? I don’t want to go to Roscoe’s and I don’t want to go get fresh juice.

“ Once I realized I wasn’t going to get the Caribbean flavor of New York that we really thrive on that’s what made me miss the Bronx.”

Since that trip would you say you look at NY any differently?

For sure, it’s still home and I will never take away from the fact that it is really the greatest city in the world. I haven’t even been to every city, but I’m working on it. I get why everyone wants to be here. [That trip] made me realize that just because NY might not have been a place I wanted to be at a certain point in my life doesn’t mean that it won’t always be home and that it won’t always be a dope city that you can find beauty in.

What would you say is next for you in terms of your artistry?

Honestly, I don’t know yet. I am in a place where I am still getting ideas back. I’m getting used to being back in such an overwhelming city and I’m taking it day by day. I’m letting things play out organically until something goes off. Usually it’ll be a pattern in my writing, a topic that comes up a lot in my writing, or a book I’m reading. I might get inspired by that and twist it into how it correlates to my life. But I’m still figuring it out and I don’t want to rush it. There’s a lot going on though, I’ll tell you that much.

You can listen to more of Claire's music on Soundcloud and see what she'll be up to next by following her on Twitter.

Don't Wait for Others to Make a Change: Beauty of the Bronx

History has shown us that the youth is a catalyst for change. Every social movement has been incited by younger generation’s yearning for change. And the youth today are doing just that in the Bronx. The South Bronx has become synonymous for poverty and crime; aesthetically unpleasing. Specifically, areas surrounding the Hunts Point neighborhood have been plagued with trash dump sites, congested street traffic, and the area’s well documented history of prostitution. But a group of students from the Bronx Studio School for Writers and Artists want to remove the negative histories associated with the area and create a more welcoming atmosphere for themselves and their neighbors.

I had the opportunity to speak to Genevieve De Bose, a teacher at the Bronx Studio School for Writers and Artists, about the Beauty of the Bronx project. She, along with fellow teacher Adriana Gonzalez worked with a group of seventh and eighth grade students to create the neighborhood beautification project. The Beauty of the Bronx project will focus on cleaning up neighborhoods around Hunts Point and Longwood Avenue in the hopes to reduce the amount of rats.

Genevieve and her students successfully applied for the Citizen’s Committee for New York City Neighborhood Grant. According to Citizen’s Committee, the Neighborhood Grant “…awards micro-grants of up to $3,000 to resident-led groups to work on community and school projects throughout the city. We prioritize groups based in low income neighborhoods and Title I public schools. ” Every year several community based organizations throughout the city are selected to receive the grant after submitting an essay describing their project and objectives. The students thought it would be a great idea to use the funds to develop a beautification project that would clean up trash on the neighborhood.

Using the writing skills they learned at school, the students put together a compelling description of how the trash and animal feces had contributed to rats running wild in the areas near their school and homes. The students detailed how it wasn’t unusual to see rats running near them on the way to school and home.

In addition to cleaning up the neighborhood, the students want to change the mindsets of Hunts Point and Longwood residents. They have developed a number of mechanisms that everyone can easily get involved in and get excited about keeping the neighborhood clean. The students will create eye-catching garbage cans to encourage people to put their trash in the can. Also, host a series of “teach ins” that aim to teach other students about the effects of unmonitored trash and the importance of keeping their neighborhood clean.

I asked Genevieve how would she suggest getting other Bronxites to get involved in beautifying their neighborhood and she said it starts with the individual. It takes one person to say they want to make a difference and get out in the world a make change. Once others see this, they will encourage them to do the same. They can research other organizations doing similar work and identify partnership opportunities. If they are concerned about funding their projects, they can do research about funding opportunities by visiting their local libraries. In essence, be the change they want to see in the world.

Keep Calm and Try Lickety Split

Whenever you hear the sound of an ice cream truck nearby, you can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia. As a millennial growing up in the nineties, I was taken back to a place where kids could be heard screaming through a game of freeze tag or Red Light, Green Light, 123, fire hydrants replaced the pool as everyone cooled off in the middle of the street, and sound systems could be heard booming through windows as parents BBQ’d on the curb. Then, there was Mister Softee, everyone’s favorite ice cream truck. The familiar sound of the ice cream truck slowly cruising down your block as kids ran to catch up and buy an ice cream cone with sprinkles on top.

After a long and dreadful winter we are now in the heart of the summer. Where temperatures are high, beaches are packed, and air conditioners are in overdrive. Times have changed, face to face interaction has become less popular and social media now consumes our day to day lives but some things never change. The instant reminder that ice cream seems to help you escape reality in just one scoop, even if just for a moment.

Here, we have Lickety Split Ice Cream, which has humbly resided at 295 City Island Avenue for the past thirty years. Having gone through a few managerial changes, it was revamped and brought back to life most recently in 2005. A neighborhood mom and pop shop, Lickety Split is everything your childhood once was from its vintage exterior to its sixties styled signs that lines the walls and let's not forget the flavors that most remind you of why you love ice cream in the first place.

Twenty flavors including Vanilla, Red Velvet, Pralines and Cream, Butter Pecan, Chocolate, Birthday Cake and so much more. Ten flavors of sorbet as well as soft served ice cream. But an ice cream parlour wouldn't be an ice cream parlour without Sundaes and Soda Floats, including your classic Banana Split Sundae to a Root Beer Float with whipped cream. Let's not forget: the famous ice cream with a pie or brownie pairs.

Upon visiting, Dondre and I sampled a few flavors. I opted for pralines and cream on top of a brownie Sundae while Dondre went for the classic two scoop in a cup, a scoop of Birthday Cake and a scoop of Red Velvet. The afternoon was sunny with a slight breeze - we found a shaded area in the park that's nestled directly next to the shop and enjoyed our ice cream as we chatted. Both realizing, "this park is perfect for the ice cream shop."

After indulging in my much needed guilty pleasure, we went back inside to take in more of the scenery and chat with the owner Louise. Louise and her husband originally from Yonkers and Parkchester, respectively. They decided to relocate to City Island because they were looking for a suburban neighborhood in the Bronx. She stated, "My husband needed a place that was a bit less congested and we settled on City Island, it was perfect for us."

They knew of Lickety Split because it's been around for years. Once they relocated to the island, they bought the shop from its previous owners. They saw an opportunity and jumped at it because they wanted to keep the neighborhood parlour alive. "It's like your neighborhood ice cream shop, has a real old school vibe," says Louise and she's right.

“We wanted to maintain its original aesthetics, everyone comes here, everyone loves ice cream. It’s perfect for families, moms can enjoy the day while kids play in the park.”

Lickety Split, although a few added minutes to your commute, is definitely worth a trip this summer, even if it's just a trip down memory lane it'll be well worth the ride.

Coda's Corner - 4.0 out 5 for decor, customer service, and location but would love to have homemade ice cream be reconsidered.

A Bronx Veteran

I recently got to chat with sixty-eight year old Anibal Martinez, a Vietnam veteran originally from Vieques, Puerto Rico, but decided to make the Bronx his home. He told me about his time in the service, what the Bronx was like when he arrived and he also shared his ideas for a “better Bronx.” Anibal served in the United States army for six years and explained why he loved it. He said that the physical aspect was his favorite part. “I would run all the time, sorta like Forest Gump, but without the beard and long hair." Things changed for Mr. Martinez when he got word that he was being deployed to Vietnam. He described his first day as one that involved no physical activity, just instructions on why they were there. He mentioned, "In the states I never killed a fly, and when I got there, they're teaching us how to kill, it was one of the hardest things to wrap my mind around." 

During his time in the military, Anibal was promoted to sergeant E-5 during his time in the military and was honorably discharged following an injury he suffered during war.

Upon returning from the war in 1968, Anibal settled in the Longwood section of the Bronx. During the late sixties and early seventies, the Bronx experienced an immense amount of crime, primarily arson. Anibal painted a perfect picture with his words:

“The Bronx was burned, burned bad!
Everywhere you looked something was either in the process of being burned or was just a pile of ash.”

One diversion from all the turmoil that the Bronx faced during those times was music, his choice was Salsa. Even today Anibal enjoys listening to classic Salsa. He wishes that there was a place where he and his pals can congregate to reminisce on the great times that were had to Ismael Riveras, El Nazareno.

Although there were constant problems in the Bronx upon his arrival, Anibal made sure that I knew the sense of community that was around back then. He stated that no matter what the problem was the community would band together to resolve and reconcile the issues at hand.

“The Bronx doesn’t have that community spirit that it once had. That’s the starting point for a better Bronx.”

His idea for a better Bronx is one that includes, peace, love, and more activities for a broader spectrum of age groups. He explained that we need to come together; collectively we can make our beautiful borough a better place for not only ourselves but those who come after. Anibal also stated that more recreational centers are needed so we can keep many of the kids off the streets. With his love for his borough and wanting the best for his neighbors, whether on Longwood Ave or in Riverdale, those qualities make him a real Bronx Veteran.

Calling All Dandies

Profile: Diego Leon/29/Style Blogger and Social Media Consultant.

dan·dy /ˈdandē/ - a man unduly devoted to style, neatness, and fashion in dress and appearance.

Among the frenzy of baseball fans donned in sports paraphernalia, Diego easily stood out in a tailored blazer with a mini bow lapel pin and trousers with no breaks. We walked away from the crowd making their way into Yankee Stadium with the Dandy in the Bronx founder to the Joyce Kilmer Park located a few steps away from the Bronx Supreme Court. We took our seats across from a crew of men  playing an afternoon game of cricket and we began chatting.

What do you do?

Social Media is a big part of my life, I am the Content Affiliate & Social Media Manager for Try the World. I run their social media. I also work with other food bloggers to talk about Try the World and create content. [With] my experience of being a blogger, I see both sides of the coin. I work with the bloggers the same way brands work with me. Brands come to me and say “Diego wear this tie and do a photo shoot,” I turn and say “take this box of Argentinean food and create awesome content.” Try the World is a subscription box service. Every two months we send a box of curated gourmet food from expert chefs from different parts of the world.

I used to teach pre-school, I was kind of disillusioned with the educational system it was all about test scores. I wanted to try doing something for myself.

Even then I dressed this way I decided to start posting [outfits] online. People started liking [my posts] and I started building a social media following. With that, I took some classes in digital marketing and I got into the startup scene doing social media consulting. I then started Dandy in the Bronx. It was like my living resume, my example of ‘I know what I’m doing’. I started Dandy in the Bronx as a way to showcase myself, fashion, the Bronx, and all the cool things the Bronx has to offer.

I use the word dandy; a dandy is a well dressed gentleman; a well groomed gentleman. I’m nowhere near a legit dandy,” he says while pointing out his lack of a tie. If a real dandy saw me, he would kick me out the club. It’s something that I aspire to be, it’s almost like a lifestyle. It’s about being a gentleman. I want to show that in the Bronx… dress well, act well and [people] can’t challenge you.”  I’m hoping people in the Bronx see me and say I can do that. I can wear a suit, I can wear a tie and pocket square.

Do you feel that people in the Bronx are receptive to how you dress?

Dressing this way does invoke a type of feeling for some people and it’s not just in the Bronx. I remember I was leaving Hunts Point and this lady asked sarcastically “where are you going?” I replied, “Thanks for the compliment.”  And she said, “I wasn’t complimenting you!”

In Manhattan I’ve gone into dive bars and people would ask why I’m dressed this way.  Aside from that one incident in the Bronx, I haven’t been challenged like that. It has been positive. On Instagram I’ll get messages from [Bronxites] saying they think it’s cool or they want to dress like this and ask me to recommend places to go.

What stores do you recommend?

Dressing well is not hard. People already spend money on clothes now just spend it on a certain type of clothes. Most of my clothes come from thrift shops. You can go to a random Good Will, there is Unique - a chain thrift shop. Nowadays a lot of my clothes are given to me from companies I work with but when I first started, thrift shops and hand me downs. My favorite blazer was given to by my grandfather. Now that we have [the Mall at Bay Plaza] you can go to H&M and pick out your basics. I do a lot of my shopping online there are subscription box services you can use. One I subscribe to is called Sprezzabox every month they send you a box of ties, pocket square, socks. On weekends I work at The Tie Bar it’s a pop up shop but they're mostly an online brand. Weekend Casual is another online brand they have good prices. I love rocking their stuff. But I definitely recommend hand me downs, steal your grandpa’s style. The key thing is you must get your clothes tailored. Whatever suit or dress shirt I buy I take it to my tailor. You may have gone to catholic school! I went to Cardinal Hayes High School. I looked back on my khakis, blazers and cardigans and got it tailored. I’m a fan of the insignia it looks really cool and old fashioned.

“Why waste all of that money when you can get it tailored. Take what you already have. Your uncle, your dad, your abuelito they dressed more fly than you when they were younger, take that style, honor your past, your family, and now your present. Wear it, make it fit, have something to pass down. ”

I noticed that you were a bit of a foodie, (referencing the Dandy In The Bronx website that also features a food tab) what are some of your favorite restaurants in the Bronx?

Havana Café great brunch unlimited Sangria you can’t challenge that. Before is shut down, Babalu, it was a Colombian ‘I Love Lucy’ themed restaurant, its Mamajuana Café now. Gun Hill Brewery, that’s like a secret spot. Michelangelo’s on Arthur Avenue the real little Italy. Burger Time in Morris Park, they have wild hamburgers. There is one that is a hamburger but instead of buns they use grilled cheese sandwiches.  

How does the Bronx inspire your style?

I look at the colors of the Bronx; I did a shot inspired by NYCFC our new soccer team. I created and outfit using their colors blue, orange, and sky blue. Yankees, I’m going to wear pinstripes, navy those colors. I may wear some jeans. But I’m always inspired by the people around me. I’m Ecuadorian so I’ll wear yellow slacks or something. I try to do a majority of my shots in the Bronx as well. I’ve done a shoot by Yankees Stadium and Concrete Plant Park in Hunts Point.

You started your blog in 2014 but when did your love for fashion begin?

Actually today is the one year anniversary of my blog. As of now [my love for fashion] began six years ago. I just wanted to do something different. I wanted to reinvent myself. I wanted to try something new. I’m a big fan of electronic music more specifically, Chip Tone,  which is using video game systems to create new beats. One of these musicians, Nathaniel Adams, is a dandy 100%. After the show I slowly began to dress to well. I asked him where he got his suits, he said he makes them himself! He recently wrote a book called “I Am Dandy.” He has a clothing line he just launched called Secret Empire, I’m wearing one of his shirts. When I first saw him I said that was something I wanted to be and from there I just used what I had. I started learning more about men’s fashion and reading men’s fashion blogs, following other men’s wear influencers and bloggers, going to men’s wear events and meetups and talking to other bloggers.

Who influences your fashion?

There’s Adapperchick, Shesagent and Levitatestyle, I’ve met these people in real life, we’ve gone out shared a drink and some fashion tips.

What is a long term vision for yourself?

My next thing is that I want to meet other dandies in the Bronx. I haven’t met any. An example of a dandy in the Bronx is Baron Ambrosia. I want to meet other people who dress this way and live this lifestyle. I don’t want Dandy in the Bronx to just be me. I want it to be something you can do, what you can be. We breed great people, intellectual people, smart people, creative people but we can’t hold them here. So we have to figure out how to keep them whether through start-ups or meet up and supporting each other. That’s what I hope to do with Dandy in the Bronx in terms of men’s wear and fashion at least.    

How would you define the style of the Bronx?

“It’s evolving, ever changing. You can’t pick one thing. You know what Brooklyn is, it’s a hipster. Manhattan, it’s a corporate person. You can’t say the Bronx is something and that’s what makes the Bronx special because we’re everything. We’re like a melting pot. I can walk around here in a suit and there is a cricket game in front of me. But if I had to pick a word, it would be evolving, ever changing.”

If you would like to discover more restaurants in the Bronx, Diego has a Pinterest. Be sure to follow him on Twitter and Instagram as well.

A Glimpse of the Bronx From the Eighties to Today

I recently had the chance to chop it up with Mrs. Evelyn, a well-respected individual who currently resides in the Wakefield area of the Bronx. She shed light on some of her fondest memories as a Bronx resident. Originally a Brooklyn native, the sixty-seven year old relocated to the Bronx in 1989, a time when drugs and crime was at its peak. A Daily News article written in 2013, to commemorate the release of The Central Park Five documentary, stated “On a typical day in 1989, New Yorkers reported nine rapes, five murders, 255 robberies, and 194 aggravated assaults. Fear wasn’t a knee-jerk reaction; it was a matter of self-preservation.” Mrs. Evelyn backed this claim by stating: "The Bronx was crime ridden and, at times, a scary place to love but I still considered it home."

Settling into her South Bronx one bedroom apartment in the late eighties, Mrs. Evelyn witnessed the economical, social, and political changes over the years. She remembered the smooth transition from Brooklyn to the Bronx due to the moral support of her husband. “He made things a lot easier, I felt more secure,” she stated.  Formerly an MTA worker, Mrs. Evelyn became very familiar with the geography of the Bronx. The only borough connected to the New York mainland, this is where she able to rightfully identify as a “Bronxite.”

“You’ve got to keep your eyes open, mouth shut, and be aware of your surroundings,” Mrs. Evelyn adopted this philosophy after witnessing countless misdeeds that included, acts of violence and drug use. Despite its gritty and raw environment, Mrs. Evelyn was able to share some of the warmer memories of the Bronx, including her favorite hangout spots. She spent most of her free time at The American Theater in Parkchester. Built in 1939, the theater underwent various changes and renovations until its final closing in September 2013. “It’s a shame that iconic places like that gets closed down and gets replaced with things that are of no use,” she shared. Tight knit communities such as Coop City, Mundy Lane, and Riverdale were among other favorites.

“The Bronx was crime ridden and, at times, a scary place to live but I still considered it home.”

— Evelyn

"Gentrification is coming and we need to be prepared for when it comes. We are all equal and everything needs to be harmonious," she goes on to say as she believes not enough people speak up on this issue. Passionate, raw, and sweet, Mrs. Evelyn was the epitome of your around the way girl and now a well-respected woman who constantly bestows wisdom to us young folk.

Repurposed, Not Replaced

Dondre: The Old Bronx Courthouse is recognized as a historical landmark of New York City and an icon  in the Bronx. It housed the Supreme, Surrogates, and County Courts for two decades until 1934, when the newly nine-story limestone Bronx County Courthouse was built on the Grand Concourse due to an unforeseeable population increase in the Bronx in 1930. During its vacancy, the Old Bronx Courthouse was damaged by vandalism prompting the city to seal all doorways and windows for years. With such a profound significance, I came across an exhibition that is currently taking place for three months in the Old Bronx Courthouse. It was definitely worth a visit with fellow BN members, check out our story here.

I certainly underestimated how spacious the Courthouse was, with three floors of exhibiting work from twenty-six different artists organized by No Longer Empty, it made the roaming process enjoyable. Most of my favorite exhibits were in the basement, like the “Dead End” tiled piece by David Scanavino. I’m a sucker for good colors and I couldn’t help but explore multiple ways of getting the best shot within this particular space of the exhibition.

The exhibition favored a more abstract approach which left some room for explanations. However, I was pleased to see something of this nature come to fruition in the Bronx. It made me think of how many other empty buildings are being underutilized, the potential of more quality Bronx amenities and the lure it could have to intrigue the skeptical outsiders from other boroughs. I know for sure, our art culture hasn’t left.

Kayla: When I read an article about No Longer Empty’s exhibit, available from April 23rd to July 19th,  I was hopeful. The Bronx needs more places for people to meet, relax, and  experience the borough in a plethora of ways. No Longer Empty’s mission of reviving underutilized spaces to provide the public with free access to contemporary art that also fits the narrative of the community, is a fresh and exciting way to reconnect people with their neighborhood and allows for exploration and appreciation of their environment. Even if temporary, the Bronx has another place. So (as Dondre mentioned*) on a warm and sunny Friday morning, we hopped on the 2 train for our second trip to the exhibit. Themed “When You Cut Into the Present the Future Leaks Out,” the exhibition serves as an homage of sorts to artist Gordon Matta-Clark who was known for using urban spaces as social commentary. Each installment draws directly from the artists’ experiences in the Bronx or inspiration from the form, condition and sounds within the Old Bronx Courthouse.

The pieces at the Old Bronx Courthouse aren’t to be rushed through. Some pieces, like L-Alber-Into by Teresa Diehl, which is one of my favorite installments, require interaction, while others demand time and attention to detail. What I like most about the exhibition is that most of the installments are conversation starters whether you like them or not. I can’t say that I understood or enjoyed most of the pieces. I found myself either liking or strongly disliking a piece and or being confused by the meaning of installments. Overall, I enjoyed the experience. I appreciated having the option to stay within my borough, meet with friends, save money and create memories. One thing I still regret however, is not taking advantage of  Uber’s Bronx Week promotion to get a free ride home

Hoay: Dondre reached out one afternoon and told me about what was going on at 878 Brook Avenue and we quickly made plans to check out the exhibition, When You Cut Into the Present the Future Leaks Out. Upon arrival we were a bit confused trying to find our way to the Old Bronx Courthouse. After walking in circles more than once, we finally came across the monumental landmark. Everything leading up to this moment added a sense of allure as I had a chance to take in the ever growing and changing community right before my eyes.

As we entered the Courthouse I knew immediately what I wanted to see, Abigail Deville’s piece "...and justice for all?"  (Located on the basement level). It was cluttered but organized, haunting yet comforting, and kept an incredibly mysterious aura as you wandered around the massive heap of debris and clutter. There was a sense of familiarity in seeing objects such as; broken branches, wood, radio’s (still broadcasting some sort of sound), TVs displaying static, dead computer monitors, and dismantled phones. These objects reminded me that these old things were once heavily used and belonged to someone before being thrown away. Considered trash, they lost their intended purpose but found a new life here in "...and justice for all?"   

I pondered whether this is what the whole exhibition was about - finding a more efficient way to refocus what was here already, instead of replacing it. I was curious what was to come of the Old Bronx Courthouse? How would it affect the community? Would it become just another worthless place considered “trash” and end up being misused or abandoned? Or would someone find a better purpose for it, as all 26 artists did for this exhibition.

Looking for answers, I found a 2011 article by Daily News writer Daniel Beekman titled, “Owners plans $10 million face-lift for boarded-up Old Bronx Courthouse.” The article expresses that the partners of the building hoped it would serve as “office space” to a wide range of tenants. Some being bookstores, and retail stores. Benjamin Klein, a partner and mechanical engineer stated the Old Bronx Courthouse would  “ boast new windows, elevators and mezzanines, plus modern electrical, heating and plumbing systems”.  A local business owner mentioned a high-end supermarket would be nice, while a local resident would be happy with anything that created jobs. The article goes on to say that the “face-lift” was expected to be completed by 2012 but three years later and not much has changed. I would love to see the building become some sort of indoor public green space, thriving with plant life - accompanied by music, indoor activities, weekly free events (such as indoor movies, poetry slams etc.), and a variety of food vendors. Hopefully the owners of the building can find a happy medium when it comes to making the final decision.

At the end of our trip we visited La Granja, a Peruvian restaurant located on 500 E 149th St. Having a tasty meal, and a moment to relax we were able to reflect and discuss some of our favorite pieces from the exhibition. For me visiting the Old Bronx Courthouse could be seen as a reminder of how what is considered old, rundown or hopeless can be repurposed instead of being replaced.