PROTECT YOUTH ARTS! PROTECT HISTORIC HARLEM! 

HARLEM NEEDS MORE SAFE SPACES NOT NIGHTCLUBS

Now more than ever our community needs resources and programs for our youth, young adults and seniors. As we step into 2025 our community members are working to improve public infrastructure offered to our youth, adult, and seniors, through services and programs which foster greater inclusivity and promote community-centered businesses. Each issue represents an opportunity for collective action and collaboration to create positive change, and we ask you to be part of that change alongside us!
 

As working-class Black and Brown communities are experiencing mass violence, displacement, land grabs and ethnic cleansing around the world, from Ayiti to Palestine, from Sudan to The Congo, the time is now that we follow our ancestors who stood against imperialism. We must follow the lead of our family in the Global South and the student movements locally to take back our spaces!

Who are we?

Darryl Jenkins is a recreational specialist, Basketball Coach and community organizer in the Harlem community. Darryl has spearheaded and managed the former YMCA for over 3 years. As building manager, he made the space accessible, which had been locked for years. Giving access to work spaces for our local city council, non profit businesses, and youth programs. Within those 3 years he has gained much knowledge in local community programs and operations. 

 

135st Black Legacy Successors, a coalition of grassroots community programs. Our group is comprised of many people with grassroots organizing background; we are young people in the organizing world who sit at the feet of our Elders and continue their/your legacies.  As community workers we consider the programming that we offer to be apart of the frontline services that hold the very fabric of our community of Harlem together. We are comprised of H.O.L.L.A. (How Our Lives Link All Togther) and Metamorphosis Movement.

What Happened?

We have been “Illegally Locked Out” of the commercial space at the historical Jackie Robinson YMCA at 181 West 135th St, located in Central Harlem. 

This historic landmarked building was used by the Black Panther Party in the 60’s and throughout its history was used as a space for refuge and shelter for Black folks migrating from other places around the country and around the world. This building has been supporting Black Harlem for GENERATIONS! Cooling families, providing basketballs, workout equipment, facilities and classrooms for local community groups and much more! Now it is threatened by GENTRIFICATION and the NEW OWNER to become a NIGHTCLUB! 

Central Harlem, our community is under siege by a gentrifying slumlord named Jon Basmanov.  Jon is responsible for over 3,000 Housing Preservation Department (HPD) complaints and Hundreds MORE HPD violations across the city exploiting working class Black and Brown families. Since April 16th 2024 we, Metamorphosis Movement, H.O.L.L.A!,  as well as parents, youth, community members have been illegally kicked out of our community learning center the Old YMCA located at 181 W 135st. This slumlord JON BASMANOV has changed all the locks to the doors within the facility and has locked away our property. Jon removed and fired the manager of the building’s commercial area, Darryl Jenkins, with whom we have written MOU’s on our right to use the property. Denying us access to materials and denying the community access to services; children are left outside of the communal space for hours on end and are no longer receiving safety or the support that the community desperately needs. Jon has taken deep advantage of the fact that our community is in dire need of space for community specific programming. Jon has invested capital and energy into improving the commercial side of the building for this proposed nightclub. He has deliberately chosen to neglect the upkeep of the commercial and residential sides of his building prior to this move toward a nightclub because he is only interested in investing in that which will bring him increased profit. Not the well being of our community members nor the residential tenants of this building. 

We have been an example of what a beautiful and bustling community space this can be, Jon has seen a glimpse of the vision we have for the space and would like to squeeze the community out of the limited financial resources we have. Jon simply wants more money and wants high paying contractors to use the space, likely gentrifiers and folks that are not interested in uplifting the working-class Black Community of Harlem.

Jon’s selfish actions have been preventing local youth from life changing programs and safe space. Alongside his history of not caring about the residents in any of the buildings he owns, Jon changing the locks without notice  shows clearly he does not care about this community.

The new management wants to displace community grassroot programs and replace them with a nightclub restaurant. This will not only displace hundreds of kids, but also inconvenience residents in the community with the influx of trash and noise. We are organizing toward taking over the commercial side of the building for community control.



By participating in this petition, you're joining your neighbors in voicing your concerns and advocating for solutions that benefit everyone. Your involvement is essential in shaping the future of our community and ensuring that it remains a vibrant, thriving place to live, work, and play.

 Let's unite in solidarity and work towards common goals that enhance the quality of life for all tenants. 

Your participation in this community petition is a testament to your commitment to building a stronger more resilient Harlem. Join us in making a difference and shaping the future of our community together.

Let’s TAKE ACTION NOW!