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A Photographic Tour of Harlem in the 2000s

The 2000s were a time of big changes for Harlem, a neighborhood in New York City with a rich history and culture. This wasn’t the Harlem of the Renaissance, a famous period of Black art and creativity. It wasn’t even the Harlem of the tough 1980s and 90s, known for crime and poverty. This was a new Harlem, a place where old and new were colliding.

One of the most noticeable changes was the changing skyline. New buildings popped up, some shiny and tall, others renovated and polished. Construction cranes seemed to be everywhere, a sign of the money flowing into the neighborhood.

The Ups and Downs of Gentrification

This shift was called “gentrification,” a big word that simply means wealthier people moving into a poorer neighborhood. It’s a complicated process with both good and bad effects.

On the plus side, gentrification brought in money. Businesses thrived, new stores opened, and long-abandoned buildings got a facelift. The streets felt safer, and there were more job opportunities..

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But there was a downside too. Rents went up, forcing many longtime residents to move out because they couldn’t afford to stay. Mom-and-pop stores closed, replaced by chain stores and fancy boutiques. Some felt like their neighborhood was being taken over by outsiders who didn’t understand or care about its history.

A Shifting Culture

Harlem has always been a center of Black culture, famous for its music, art, and literature. But in the 2000s, that culture started to shift. The sounds of jazz and gospel still filled the air, but they were now mixed with the beats of hip-hop and the melodies of other cultures.

The neighborhood’s art scene also changed. While traditional art forms like painting and sculpture still thrived, newer forms like graffiti and street art started to make their mark. The streets became a canvas for artists to express themselves, adding a new layer to Harlem’s rich cultural tapestry.

Poverty and Inequality

Despite the progress, Harlem still faced many challenges. Poverty remained a serious issue, with many residents struggling to make ends meet. The gap between rich and poor widened, creating a sense of inequality that fueled resentment and anger.

Crime, while not as rampant as in the past, was still a problem, especially in certain areas. Drugs and violence continued to plague the neighborhood, reminding everyone that the past wasn’t completely gone.

#1 NW corner of W. 145th St. and Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, 2000.

#2 View north from the roof of the Grant Houses, W. 125th St. between Amsterdam and Morningside Aves., Harlem, 2000.

#3 View east along W. 125th St. from Morningside Ave., Harlem, 2000.

#4 View NW along Madison Ave. toward E. 118th St., Harlem, 2000.

#5 View north from the roof of the Grant Houses on W. 135th St. at Morningside Ave., 2000.

#6 East 132nd St. between Madison and Park Ave., Harlem, 2001., 2001.

#7 View SW along Frederick Douglass Blvd. from roof of St. Nicholas Houses, W. 127th St., Harlem, 2001.

#9 The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, 1421 Fifth Ave., Harlem, 2001.

#11 383 W. 125th St. at Morningside Ave., Harlem, 2001.

#18 383 W. 125th St. at Morningside Ave., Harlem, 2001.

#19 View SW along E. 125th St. from #228, Harlem, 2001.

#20 View NW along W. 117th St. from St. Nicholas Ave., Harlem, 2001.

#21 View NW along E. 125th St. from Park Ave., Harlem, 2001.

#22 SW corner of Malcolm X Blvd. at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2001.

#25 NW corner of W. 125th St. at Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, 2001.

#26 NW corner of W. 117th St. at St. Nicholas Ave., Harlem, 2001.

#27 NW corner of W. 125th St. at Malcolm X Blvd., Harlem, 2001.

#32 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. between W. 136th St. and W. 137th St., Harlem, 2001.

#33 NW corner of Lexington Ave. at E. 124th St., Harlem, 2001.

#35 SE corner of W. 125th St. at Malcolm X Blvd., Harlem, 2001.

#36 SE corner of 116th St. at 5th Ave., Harlem, 2001.

#37 NE corner of Amsterdam Ave. at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2001.

#38 NE corner of Amsterdam Ave. at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2001.

#39 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. at W. 125th St., Harlem welcomes Bill Clinton, 2001.

#40 View NW from W. 143rd St. at Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, 2001.

#42 SW corner of W. 125th St. at 5th Ave., Harlem, 2001.

#43 SW corner of St. Nicholas Ave. at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2001.

#44 SW corner of Madison Ave. at E. 125th St., Harlem, 2001.

#45 View NE along Frederick Douglass from W. 112th St., Harlem, 2001.

#46 View NW from W. 131st St. and Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, 2001.

#47 View north from W. 125th St. at Morningside Ave., Harlem, 2001.

#48 View north from W. 125th St. along Old Broadway, Harlem, 2001.

#49 View toward E. 125th St. from Park Ave., Harlem, 2001.

#50 View west of 2nd Ave., between 121st and 122nd Sts., Harlem, 2001.

#51 W. side of Frederick Douglass between W. 151st St. and W. 152nd St., Harlem, 2001.

#52 View west along W. 142nd St. from Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, 2001.

#53 View west from the roof of the St. Nicholas Houses along W. 127th St. from Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, 2001.

#54 View SW along E. 116th St. from 2nd Ave., Harlem, 2001.

#55 View west of Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. between W. 136th St. and W. 137th St., Harlem, 2001.

#56 View SW along Malcolm X Blvd. from W. 128th St., Harlem, 2001.

#57 SE corner of E. 125th St. at 5th Ave., Harlem, 2001.

#58 View south along 3rd Ave. from E. 123rd St., Harlem, 2001.

#59 View NW from 153rd St. and Macombs Place, Harlem, 2001.

#60 View NW along 3rd Ave. from E. 115th St., Harlem, 2001.

#61 View west from 2nd Ave. between 116th St. and 117th St., Harlem, 2001.

#62 View west along E. 125th St. from Park Ave., Harlem, 2001.

#63 View SW along Frederick Douglass Blvd. from W. 151st St., Harlem, 2001.

#64 View NE along Malcolm X Blvd. from W. 121st St., Harlem, 2001.

#65 View NW along E. 126th St. from Park Ave., Harlem, 2001.

#66 View NW along Broadway from W. 125th St., Harlem, 2001.

#67 View north along 2nd Ave. from E. 117th St., Harlem, 2001.

#68 Frederick Douglass Blvd. between W. 127th St. and W. 128th St., Harlem, 2001.

#69 Former Corn Exchange Bank, NW corner of Park Ave. at E. 125th St., Harlem, 2001.

#72 View NW along E. 125th St. at Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2002.

#74 Thomas Memorial Wesleyan Methodist Church, 270 W. 126th St., Harlem, 2002.

#75 View SW along Malcolm X Blvd. from W. 128th St., Harlem, 2002

#76 View west along W. 125th St. from 12th Ave., Harlem, 2002.

#79 Former Corn Exchange Bank, Park Ave. at E. 125th St., Harlem, 2003.

#81 SW corner of Malcolm X Blvd. at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2003.

#82 NE corner of Madison Ave. at E. 125th St., Harlem, 2003.

#83 View SE along E. 132nd St. from Madison Ave., Harlem, 2003.

#86 NE corner of W. 125th St. and Broadway, Harlem, 2005.

#87 View toward E. 125th St. from Park Ave., Harlem, 2005.

#88 SW Corner of Malcolm X Blvd. at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2005.

#92 SW corner of Malcolm X Blvd. at 125th St., Harlem, 2005.

#93 NE corner of Amsterdam Ave. at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2005.

#94 Former Corn Exchange Bank, Park Ave. at E. 125th St., Harlem, 2005.

#95 NE corner of Madison Ave. at E. 125th St., Harlem, 2005.

#96 NE corner of Morningside Ave. at 383 W. 125th St., Harlem, 2005.

#97 Adam Clayton Powell statue, W. 125th St. at Adam Clayton Powell Blvd., Harlem, 2005.

#98 McDonalds, E. 125th St. and Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2005.

#99 W. 125th St. at Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. Harlem, 2005.

#100 SE corner of E. 125th St. at 5th Ave., Harlem, 2005.

#101 SW corner of W. 125th St. at St. Nicholas Ave., Harlem, 2005.

#102 Adam Clayton Powell at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2005.

#103 NE corner of W. 125th St. at Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, 2005.

#104 Lincolnton Post Office, NW corner of 5th Ave. at 138th St., Harlem, 2005.

#105 View NE along 3rd Ave. toward E. 125th St., Harlem, 2005.

#106 View north along Broadway from W. 125th St., Harlem, 2005.

#107 Rapper 50 Cent, W. 125th St. by Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, 2005.

#108 SW corner of E. 125th St. at Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2005.

#109 View south along 12th Ave. from #2441, Harlem, 2005.

#110 W. 125th St. and St. Nicholas, Harlem, 2005-07-07.

#113 Former Small’s Paradise, 135th St. at Adam Clayton Powell Blvd., Harlem, 2006.

#115 Salvation of Deliverance Church, 37 W. 116th St., Harlem, [ca. 2006]

#118 SW corner of W. 125th St. at Malcolm X Blvd., Harlem, 2006.

#121 SW corner of Malcolm X Blvd. at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2006.

#122 Former Hotel Dash, 695 Malcolm X Blvd., Harlem, 2006.

#126 African Queens waiting for Prince Philip at Harlem Zone, Madison Ave. at E. 125th St., Harlem, 2007.

#127 View NW along E. 125th St. at Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2007.

#128 View SW along Frederick Douglass Blvd. from roof of St. Nicholas Houses, W. 127th St., Harlem, 2007.

#132 View NW along Broadway from W. 125th St., Harlem, 2007.

#133 NE corner of W. 125th St. and Broadway, Harlem, 2007.

#134 View NW along Broadway from the roof of the Grant Houses on W. 125th St., Harlem, 2007.

#136 SW corner of W. 125th St. at St. Nicholas Ave., Harlem, 2007.

#138 Marcus Garvey Park, view north from E. 120th St. at 5th Ave., Harlem, 2007.

#139 Graham Court, NE corner of Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. at W. 116th St., Harlem, 2007.

#141 Christ Temple, 405 Malcolm X Blvd., Harlem, 2007.

#142 E. side of Malcolm X Blvd., between W. 112th St. and W. 113th St., Harlem, 2007.

#144 E. side of Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. between W. 130th St. and W. 131st St., Harlem, 2007.

#145 Puerto Rican Parade Day, 163 E. 116th St., Harlem, 2007.

#146 First Haitian Baptist Church, 315 W. 141st St., Harlem, 2007.

#150 2518-2528 Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, 2007.

#153 Thomas Memorial Wesleyan Methodist Church, 270 W. 126th St., Harlem, 2007.

#154 2975 Frederick Douglass Blvd., Polo Grounds Towers, Harlem, 2007.

#155 View SE from W. 125th St. at Morningside Ave., Harlem, 2007.

#158 Striver’s Row, 243 W. 139th St., Harlem, 2007.

#162 NW corner of E. 125th St., at Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2007.

#171 Frederick Douglass Blvd. at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2008.

#173 NE corner of E. 125th St. at Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2008.

#174 NE corner of E. 125th St.and Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2008.

#175 E. side of Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. between W. 130th St. and W. 131st St., Harlem, 2008.

#177 Cleaning Hybrid, Morningside Ave. at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2008.

#178 W. 135th St. at Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, 2008.

#180 NW corner of E. 125th St. at Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2008.

#182 Former Renaissance Ballroom and Casino, W. 137th St. at Adam Clayton Powell Blvd., Harlem, 2008.

#185 1480 Fifth Ave., Jerry Davis right and Deacon Amos, New Ebenezer Baptist Church, Harlem, 2008.

#187 New York City Marathon, view south along 5th Ave. from 116th St., Harlem, 2008.

#188 SE corner of E. 125th St. at Madison Ave., Harlem, 2008.

#189 Lafayette and Washington statue, Morningside Ave. at W. 114th St., Harlem, 2008.

#190 SW corner of W. 112th St. at Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, 2008.

#191 GM car dealership, view NE along E. 127th St. toward 2nd Ave., Harlem, 2008.

#192 View north along Malcolm X Blvd. from W. 119th St., Harlem, 2008.

#193 View NE along Frederick Douglass Blvd. from W. 126th St., Harlem, 2008.

#194 View SW from Park Ave. along E. 132nd St., Harlem, 2008.

#195 View SE along E. 132nd St. from Madison Ave., Harlem, 2008.

#196 View SE along Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. from W. 129th St., Harlem, 2008.

#197 View NE along Frederick Douglass Blvd. from W. 118th St., Harlem, 2008.

#198 Graham Court. View east from W. 117th St. at St. Nicholas Ave., Harlem, 2008.

#199 View east from Broadway at W. 133rd St., Harlem, 2008.

#200 View east along W. 130th St. from 12th Ave., Harlem, 2008.

#201 View NE from W. 130th St. at Riverside Dr., Harlem, 2008.

#202 View NW along 115th St. from 5th Ave., Harlem, 2008.

#203 View NE from E. 123rd St. at 3rd Ave., Harlem, 2008

#204 View NE from Riverside Dr. at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2008.

#205 View south from W. 133rd St. at Broadway, Harlem, 2008.

#206 View north from W. 126th St. along Broadway, Harlem, 2008.

#207 View north along St. Nicholas Ave. from W. 117th St., Harlem, 2008.

#208 View SW along Lexington Ave. from E. 125th St., Harlem, 2008.

#209 Former KFC at NW corner of W. 125th St. at Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, 2008.

#210 NE corner of E. 125th St. at Lexington Ave., view east, Harlem, 2008.

#211 Frank Suarez, 2164 Frederick Douglass, tire shop, Harlem, 2008.

#212 View NW from Morningside Ave. at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2009.

#215 Corner of E. 125th St. at Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

#216 NW corner of E. 125th St. at Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

#217 NE corner of E. 125th St. at Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

#218 NE corner of E. 125th St. at Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

#219 NW corner of Malcolm X Blvd. at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2009.

#220 NE corner of W. 125th St. at Adam Clayton Powell Blvd., Harlem, 2009.

#222 View SE along E. 125th St. from 5th Ave., Harlem, 2009.

#228 Free food, First Grace Baptist Church, 2799 Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, 2009.

#231 2355-2361 Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, 2009.

#233 View NW along Malcolm X Blvd. from W. 141st St., Harlem, 2009.

#234 End of Sunday Mass, Church of Joseph and The Holy Family, NW Corner of W. 125th St. and Morningside Ave., Harlem, 2009.

#235 Mr. Long celebrating Obama’s election, 565 Malcolm X Blvd., Harlem, 2009.

#236 Man being interviewed on the occasion of President Obama’s inauguration, W. 125th St. at ACP Blvd., Harlem, 2009.

#237 NE corner of W. 110th St. at Morningside Ave., Harlem, 2009.

#239 NW corner of E. 124th St. at Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

#240 NW corner of 5th Ave. at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2009.

#242 View east along W. 125th St. from Morningside Ave., Harlem, 2009.

#243 NW corner of E. 125th St. at Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

#244 New York Public Library, 104 W. 135th St., Harlem, 2009.

#246 View SE along Malcolm X Blvd. from W. 125th St., Harlem, 2009.

#247 View south along 2nd Ave. from W. 122nd St., Harlem, 2009.

#248 NW corner of Frederick Douglass Blvd. at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2009.

#249 Astor Row, view SE along W. 130th St. toward 5th Ave., Harlem, 2009.

#250 People gathering around a box from Meals on Wheels, view north along Lexington Ave. from E. 124th St., Harlem, 2009.

#252 View NE along E. 125th St. from Park Ave., Harlem, 2009.

#253 View NE from E. 123rd St. at 3rd Ave., Harlem, 2009.

#254 View NW from Broadway at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2009.

#255 View west along E. 117th St. from 2nd Ave., Harlem, 2009.

#256 View west along E. 125th St. from Park Ave., Harlem, 2009.

#257 View west along W. 125th St. from Adam Clayton Powell Blvd., Harlem, 2009.

#258 View SW along Frederick Douglass from W. 149th St., Harlem, 2009.

#259 View SW along Frederick Douglass Blvd. from roof of St. Nicholas Houses, W. 127th St., Harlem, 2009.

#260 View north along Lexington Ave. toward E. 125th St., Harlem, 2009.

#261 View north along Broadway from W. 125th St., subway stop, Harlem, 2009.

#262 View north from E. 117th St. at 2nd Ave., Harlem, 2009.

#263 View south along 3rd Ave. from E. 123rd St., Harlem, 2009.

#264 View SW along Frederick Douglass Blvd. from W. 151st St., Harlem, 2009.

#265 SW corner of Frederick Douglass at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2009.

#266 View NW along Frederick Douglass Blvd. from W. 135th St., Harlem, 2009.

#267 View north from W. 125th St. at Morningside Ave., Harlem, 2009.

#268 NW corner of St. Nicholas Ave. at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2009.

#269 SW corner of E. 125th St. at Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

#270 NE corner of E. 125th St. and Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

#271 NE corner of Lexington Ave. at E. 124th St., Harlem, 2009.

#272 Corner of Lexington Ave. at E. 125th St., Harlem, 2009.

#273 SW corner of Madison Ave. at E. 125th St., Harlem, 2009.

#276 641-649 Malcolm X Blvd. at W. 142nd St., Harlem, 2009.

#279 View SE from W. 125th St. at Morningside Ave., Harlem, 2009.

#280 Malcolm X Blvd. between W. 137th St. and W. 138th St., Harlem, 2009. Thanksgiving turkey line, Salvation Army, 2009.

#281 W. side of Frederick Douglass between W. 151st St. and W. 152nd St., Harlem, 2009.

#282 Former Hotel Dash, 695 Malcolm X Blvd., Harlem, 2009.

#283 SE corner of E. 125th St. at Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

#284 SE corner of E. 125th St. at Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

#285 Frederick Douglass Blvd. between W. 127th St. and W. 128th St., Harlem, 2009.

#286 NW corner of Frederick Douglass Blvd. at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2009.

#287 SE corner of E. 125th St. at Madison Ave., Harlem, 2009.

#288 View NW along Malcolm X Blvd. from W. 113th St., Harlem, 2009.

#289 Former Corn Exchange Bank, NW corner of Park Ave. at E. 125th St., Harlem, 2009.

Written by Wendy Robert

Brand journalist, Ghostwriter and Proud New Yorker. New York is not a city – it’s a world.

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