During the second week of January, before COVID-19 hit and devastated the world, my friend Zuwena Salima invited me to a lavish gala event at the Harlem home of Adriane Mack of Miss Mack Enterprises Inc.
Miss Mack’s apartment was simply breathtaking — high ceilings with huge European windows. Harlem has so many hidden gems, and this was one of them. But I had no idea what this event was all about. Zuwena told me to bring my appetite and get ready to be exposed to the women of Grameen 87. I was well aware of the Grameen Bank, a community development bank that started in Bangladesh providing loans. I wondered if it was developing in the Harlem market.
Over the chatter, a sultry voice sang Sam Cooke’s, “A Change Is Gonna Come.” An aroma of down-home-good soul food cooking wafted through the apartment. I should have known the chef was Mercedes the Vegan Soul Food queen. Dessert hailed from the diva-licious cakes and pies creator Jean Chatman. I’m working with both on finding an affordable commercial location along 125th Street.
Unfortunately, with all the new developments along 125th Street, many of the mom-and-pop stores are gone; the commercial price per square foot is astronomical for these businesses. With all the gentrification going on in Harlem, however, I would not be surprised if many of the high-end stores that closed along Madison Avenue due to COVID-19 will find their way to Harlem’s commercial spaces, as they have a more affordable rental price.
As I continued to enjoy the company of 25 Black American businesswomen, I was introduced to Ms. Green, the branch manager of the Grameen office (number 87) in Harlem. I was totally unaware that Grameen had come to Harlem. As the evening progressed, I met many of the group members of Grameen 87. These ladies had already received their loans from the organization to fund their small businesses in Harlem. This event was an open forum for new members to get to know the older members. I was surprised to learn that the meetings are always held in the homes of these Harlemite members, but I was not surprised at all that many of the female members of Grameen 87 owned townhouses, condominiums and co-ops along the corridor.
The loan amounts can start at $1,000- $30,000 with no credit check. It is mandatory that the applicant live in Harlem and that the business be based there. The loan is paid back in weekly installments. And the applicant must be a Black American woman.
I wondered how an organization could fund only Black businesswomen without being accused of racism — but I was quickly stopped from asking the question. I was approached by art dealer Lenise Longon, a member of 87, much to my surprise. Then, several of the longer-standing members of group 87 sat me down and began my education of what Grameen is all about.
The work of Professor Muhammad Yunus at the University of Chittagong, The Grameen Bank originated in 1976 as a research project on creating a credit system to provide banking services to the rural poor. Its principal motto is to provide funding for various cultural groups of all races, creeds and colors. [Editor’s note: Yunus was awarded the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for founding the bank and pioneering the concepts of microcredit and microfinance. In 2009, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.]
The first person to extend her hand of welcome was Consuela Pope of Pope Nation, an entertainment company focusing onmental health awareness. I also met C. Kelly Wright, seller of original African artifacts and the CEO of Harlem’s Late Night Jazz; Vanda Jamison, CEO of the Legacy Group, which educates and empowers African Americans and Monique Talley, creator of “Dream with your Eyes Open,” events that help attendees overcome challenges through vision boarding. With the help of the Grameen bank, these women are running their own businesses, including my friend Zuwena who, unbeknownst to me, had launched her Cosmic Crystal company with its help.
Grameen is making it possible for these fabulous Black women to change the landscape of the commercial business district of Harlem. As a real estate professional, I see a great opportunity to stay connected with all of these up-and-coming entrepreneurial African-American businesswomen.
Amanda Jhones
Triplemint
220 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036
amanda.jhones@triplemint.com
917-334-8992
