Black Excellence
James Van Der Zee’s Couple, Harlem (1932) depicts a stylish couple in Harlem, the center of Black American life at that time
When I was a junior in high school, I was introduced to the photography of James Van Der Zee, a Harlem Renaissance photographer best known for his portraits of Black New Yorkers. As a native Texan, I’d spent most of my history courses learning about the Texas Revolution. Discovering the splendor of the Harlem Renaissance at an age where art and writing meant so much to me was mesmerizing. At that point, I’d only been taught that Black History consisted of slavery and segregation, but when my history teacher, Mr. James Boyce, shared portraits of young, black, and freed African Americans in fur coats, lace dresses, and top hats, I knew there was so much more to our story. The beauty of a Black educator sharing the legacy of James Van Der Zee is still such a noteworthy connection, as Van Der Zee shared his values with the world by outfitting Black subjects in a dignified manner, and Mr. Boyce continued this excellence by introducing Van Der Zee’s values with the class. That, my friend, is how cultural excellence is passed down!
James Van Der Zee’s Harlem Store Front (1934) depicts a Black-owned business in 1930s Harlem
While James Van Der Zee is a well-known artist of excellence, two different couples in two-small-segregated Texas towns, lovingly shared their values with their community through food in 1947. I’m fortunate to have known both couples, as they were my maternal great-grandparents, Viola and Alvin “Daddy Pete” Swinton, and my paternal grandparents, Shirley, and Harmon Kelley, or Granny & Papa. I’ve always found it fascinating that my lineage loved through food, as my parents have always shared their love with a good Texas-sized meal. But both couples were entrepreneurs in excellence, as my great-grandparents had a small candy store in Athens, Texas during the height of segregation, and my grandparents operated a small market on the side of their house in Cameron, Texas. Mama Vi and Daddy Pete made it possible for the Black community in Athens to enjoy pleasantries unavailable to them elsewhere, while my Granny & Papa provided groceries to neighbors and people who knew them well. I’m sure both stores, though hundreds of miles apart, provided more than just food, as the stories, jokes, and connections centered around food are so much greater. But their legacy is inspirational, as they cared for their community, not for notoriety, but because they valued their home and the people around them, and at their core believed that everyone should not be denied good food.
James Van Der Zee’s Beautiful Black Bride (1930) is the essence of Black opulence in Harlem
In 2020, it seemed the world’s values all aligned, as the frenzy to support Black businesses, art, and music was “all the rage.” But with the reopening of well-known commercial restaurants, malls, and movie theaters, the support has somehow lost its luster. Therefore, I ask, what are your core values? Like my family members, how are you uplifting your community, or the Black community’s initiatives? Is there a world where we can be “back outside” and support minority owned businesses and larger conglomerate institutions? News flash: You don’t have to be black to be excellent! You just need to identify your core values, and move from there.
In the spirit of reigniting your “values flame” and honoring so many excellent ancestors who have come before me, below are seven Black businesses I’d encourage you to support or learn more about.
Let’s all return to a place of excellence, as it’s time to connect with what you believe in and continue to nurture it for us all.