When Chaz Zeqaj arrived in the United States in 1991, the 113th Street playgarden was the first park he visited. Along with his neighbors, Zeqaj wrote in a letter to University President Jennifer Mnookin that he built wooden benches and painted tree trunks with lime, which remains visible on the trees today.

West Harlem residents will head to the polls Nov. 3 for the 2026 midterm election, with races ranging from Congress to the state legislature—spanning New York’s 13th Congressional District and State Assembly Districts 69 and 70. Voters will have the opportunity to voice their concerns on issues like the increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the closure of Columbia’s gates, and affordable housing.

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture hosted a Mother’s Day Marketplace last month, highlighting local entrepreneurship and celebrating the innovation of Black artisans.

Ahead of the World Cup, elected officials and community advocates have restarted a push to get the West Harlem ferry service up and running in hopes of improving transportation for the thousands of soccer fans flocking to the city and bringing broader benefits to the local community.