Harlem’s Black-Owned Treasures

“I didn’t see myself in the pages I read as a child,” says Janifer P. Wilson, who grew up in 1950s Georgia. That absence planted a seed. After moving to New York City in 1968, Janifer opened Sisters Uptown Bookstore & Cultural Center in 2000—an independent sanctuary in Washington Heights dedicated to Black voices. “We’re not just selling books,” she says. “We’re building a community.” A registered nurse by profession, Janifer turned her lifelong love of literature into a full-time mission. Her bookstore became more than a business; it’s a healing space for reflection, activism, and joy. Through author readings, open mics, and children’s programs, Sisters Uptown helps Black and Brown readers feel seen. “I wanted to create the place I never had growing up,” she says. “A place where you walk in and feel like your story matters.”

Walk into Harlem Hops and you’ll feel it: culture, pride, and community in every pour. Co-founders Kevin Bradford, Kim Harris, and Stacey Lee—three HBCU grads—opened the trailblazing craft beer bar in 2018, making it the first of its kind in Harlem that’s fully Black-owned. “We wanted to create something for us, by us,” says Stacey. Their mission extends beyond drinks—they spotlight Black-owned breweries, support scholarship funds, and host community events. “We’re curating conversations just as much as we’re curating beer,” says Kevin. Kim adds, “This is a celebration of Black excellence in a pint glass.” For the trio, Harlem Hops is about reclaiming space and making it joyful. It’s more than a bar—it’s a modern meeting ground where tradition meets trend, and the vibe is always inclusive. “We’re preserving culture,” they say. “One sip at a time.”

Before pies, there was Broadway. Arnold Wilkerson spent years acting on stage, but in 1985, he turned a sweet memory into a sweeter legacy. “I remembered the pies of my childhood in California,” he says. “And I wanted to share that feeling.” With just $250 and a dream, he began baking in his Manhattan apartment, eventually opening Little Pie Company in Hell’s Kitchen. Today, it’s a beloved New York institution, known for its Sour Cream Apple Walnut and open-kitchen charm. “It’s a little bit of theater,” Arnold says. “Only now, the pies are the stars.” More than a bakery, Little Pie Company is a tribute to simplicity, nostalgia, and resilience. “I never planned to become a baker,” he laughs. “But this—this became the role of a lifetime.” Through every slice, Arnold serves not just dessert, but comfort and connection in the city that never stops.

For Melba Wilson, food is family. Born and raised in Harlem, she grew up surrounded by the aroma of her aunt Sylvia Woods’ kitchen—the same Sylvia of Sylvia’s Restaurant fame. “I learned early that feeding people is love,” she says. In 2005, Melba opened her own spot: Melba’s, a cozy haven serving up comfort food with a twist. Her fried chicken and eggnog waffles became an instant classic. But it’s more than the food—it’s the feeling. “I wanted to create a space where people feel seen, safe, and full,” Melba says. A trailblazer in the male-dominated hospitality world, she’s built a legacy on grit, grace, and generosity. She employs locals, uplifts the community, and never forgets her roots. “Harlem raised me,” she says proudly. “This restaurant is my way of giving back.” With every plate, Melba serves up soul—not just Southern fare.