One of Thrillist’s biggest and best events ever was a community-focused celebration in Harlem aimed at supporting black businesses and celebrating NYC’s most beloved cultural hub through a day of food, fun, and performances.

On September 12 2021, we turned Harlem into a roller disco, dance party, small business incubator, and food festival, all in one. (Plus music, parades, competitions, and general neighborhood good-vibes celebrations.)

Tren’ness Woods Black – the “Queen of Hospitality” and granddaughter the late Sylvia Woods of the iconic Sylvia’s restaurant – served as our executive producer and community liaison to Harlem, playing an integral role in the curation of the experience and the voices we featured within the program.

Always in the spirit of giving back to the community, this event benefited Harlem Park-to-Park and provided funds to Black-owned businesses helping to keep the neighborhood, and entrepreneurs thriving. All with support from our sponsors DoorDash, Coke Zero Sugar, Clorox, and Corona Refresca.

My role as creative director involved concept development, brand ID design, marketing promotion and execution, overseeing onsite branded and organic signage and installations, and content production.