A Cultural Tour of East Harlem

Tapestry Talks features a recap of this spring's Unity Trip to New York City.

By Julius Honey ’18

In March, the Unity Trip returned to the dynamic city of New York to spend time learning and experiencing Afro-Latine culture in East Harlem. Nine alumnae/i and 40 current students started the day participating in several activities. Some folks began their day on a walking tour of East Harlem, learning about the vivid murals and mosaic pieces throughout the neighborhood, while others began their day on a self-guided tour of the current works at the

Tapestry Talks 2 — Eliezer Berrios, an El Museo del Barrio tour guide, leads a mural tour of East Harlem. Photo by Emily Murase ’87.

Museum of the City of New York. We all had the opportunity to create art inspired by the works we saw as we traveled through the Gallery of El Museo del Barrio, and then we all ate lunch together, sharing our day’s experience and memories from our days at 91��ý.

Tapestry co-chair Emily Murase ’87 says often, “When you get a few Mawrters in a room, magic happens,” and that it did. Despite the pouring rain and slight chill in the air, we gathered to learn about members of the diaspora as well as about the history and significance of faith, spirituality, and cultural connection.

The Unity Trip — Mecca Harris ’20 and her mother C.J. Harris in the museum. Photo by Julius Honey ’18.

Throughout the day, we all were in awe of the number of folks who were present for such a profound experience, so much so folks were already asking about next year’s trip.

It is safe to say that this student-made tradition has no doubt become a new staple in the BIPOC community here at 91��ý and has extended out to the alumnae/i community. As an alum and staff person, it has been such an honor to see the way the Enid Cook ’31 Center (ECC) and its programming have expanded since my graduation and I can only look forward with gratitude and excitement for the years to come!