The town is a buzzing, there is a new cultural destination blossoming right here in Harlem. My Image Studios (MIST), created by Carlton Brown and  HBA’s own Chairman, Walter Edwards, will feature a world-class restaurant, a sophisticated lobby and outdoor bar, and three multi-purpose theaters that can convert into a large banquet hall. There are plans for all types of cultural programming; from nightly live entertainment to dance parties to galas. So far they have a web page up where you can sign up for their newsletter and click through to their Facebook page: http://myimagestudios.com/ . I can’t wait to see more!

Social Media Week is here! With tons of events going on around town, it’s hard to choose where to go. Lucky for you, if you haven’t already registered for anything there are still some events open. I have gone through the list and choosen a few interesting events this week:

Meet The Afropolitans: Digital Media + Culture In Africa

http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=1291

Total Beauty Media Group Digital Salon Series: Insights and Predictions on Women’s Buying Behavior

http://www.totalbeauty.com/live (You can watch this one LIVE Online)
http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=1788

Social Media Week at Digitas — Social Commerce: The Next Step
http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=1935

How To Market Your Film Using Social Media
http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=1783

Under30CEO15: Social Media Week Entrepreneur Matchmaking
http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=1413

Social Media Action Camp

http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=2123

We all have Influence Somewhere: The Next Great Social Media Transformation

http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=2244

Nonprofits and Social Media: A Perfect Solution

http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=1867

Using Social Media in the Fashion Industry: Fashion #560chat

http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=1877

The New Role Models: Chefs, Cooks, Bloggers & You — An Interview with Amanda Hesser, Robyn O’Brien & Bun Lai, followed by Who is Kale’s PR Agent & What Dictates a Food Trend? Panel Debate

http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=1408

The Freelance Revolution: Independent Worker Collaboration & Innovation Through Online Communities

http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=1404

GAME/WORLD: The New Collaborative Community

http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=1903

Let’s Get Ready to Tumblr: Building community by reimagining and redistributing your content

http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=2065

Left Brain Meets Right Brain – The Blueprints for a Sophisticated Social Marketing Campaign

http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=2004

The Harlem Business Alliance (HBA) is proud to announce the winners of its Third Annual Business Plan Competition.

Business plan submissions were reviewed by members of the Judging Committee and narrowed down to four finalists. On October 25, the finalists made their presentations to the Judging Committee, and the two winners were selected. The grand prize was awarded to Precious Williams of Curvy Girlz Lingerie and the second prize was awarded to Christina Brown of Jade’s Haven.

Curvy Girlz Lingerie creates and designs trendy lingerie for full-figured women. With a lack of options for curvy women, Precious Williams will bring up-to-date fashion with the needed support to plus-sized women. Ms. Williams looks to open up a brick and mortar store in Harlem and sell her goods online.

The second place winner is Christina Brown of Jade’s Haven, a lifestyle concept store boutique.  Her store will offer trendy apparel, showcase emerging artists and have an exclusive members-only lounge. Ms. Brown plans to provide an intimate shopping experience with excellent customer service.

Regina L. Smith, HBA’s Executive Director said, “This year’s applications were varied and improved. The judges faced a tough decision in choosing the two winners, Precious Williams and Christina Brown. HBA is poised to support the winners and entrants to reach their goals.”

The competition’s participants needed to meet the following requirements; be at least 18 years old and a legal resident or U.S. citizen; live in Upper Manhattan and have an interest in establishing a for-profit start up business in Harlem; or be an owner of an operating for-profit business located in Upper Manhattan with maximum annual gross revenues of $500,000.

This competition provides the grand prize winner with $5,000. The second place winner will receive personal consultation sessions with celebrated strategist to the Stars, Karen Taylor Bass, The PR Expert.

If you are interested in receiving one-on-one assistance with your business plan, please call HBA’s office at 212.665.7010 or email bharte@hbany.org.

Congratulations again to our winners!

Watch the video here

We have revamped our Harlem Holiday Market plans to better accommodate  Harlem’s vendors needs! A shorter time period: One long weekend Thursday, December 15 –  Sunday, December 18. Cheaper booth rentals: $500 for a single booth and $900 for a double booth. Warmer tent: One large heated tent with lighting and carpet.

If you would like to vend at the Harlem Holiday Market download our 2011 HHM Vendor Application and submit it along with your 50% deposit by November 15th. For more information visit our HHM website.

UPDATE: Unfortunately, the Harlem Holiday Market has been cancelled. We will try to bring the concept to fruition next holiday season. Contact marketing@hbany.org with any comments or questions.

Join us in honoring our amazing awardees on December 8, 2011 at the City College of New York. It is sure to be an unmatched networking opportunity for you and your business. Also, for the first time ever: Tickets are now available online via PayPal!

UPDATE: Check out our feature in the NY Beacon!

Join Harlem Park to Park this Saturday for their 2nd Annual Harlem Harvest Festival in A. Philip Randolph Square from 10am-4pm. Enjoy a Farmer’s Market, a Taste of Harlem, children’s activities, and entertainment. We are eager to see many of our favorite Harlem businesses out there on Saturday!

Facebook

Twitter

Linked In

Yelp

Youtube

We’ve been helping our members learn all about how to use social media to take their businesses to new levels, and now we are ready to take our own advice! Hopefully you will find our posts useful for you and your start-up or existing business. You can find this blog on our website too at hbany.org/blog.html. Lets go Harlem!