“Stories are how we remember who we are — and who we refuse to become.” Written by Dennis Harvell Bronx Hero: Nicholasa Mohr The Origin Story Born in the South Bronx to Puerto Rican parents, Nicholasa Mohr became one of the first widely recognized Latina authors in the United States. Her work captured the everyday… Continue reading Bronx Hero: Nicholasa Mohr
Tag: Bronx Heroes
Bronx Hero: Piri Thomas
“I am the sum of all my journeys — the streets, the struggle, the soul.” Written by Dennis Harvell Bronx Hero: Piri Thomas The Origin Story Born Juan Pedro Tomas to Puerto Rican and Cuban parents, Piri Thomas grew up between East Harlem and the South Bronx — neighborhoods that shaped his identity, sharpened his… Continue reading Bronx Hero: Piri Thomas
Bronx Hero: Edgar Allan Poe
“All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.” — Edgar Allan Poe Written by Dennis Harvell Bronx Hero: Edgar Allen Poe The Origin Story Though born in Boston, Edgar Allan Poe spent his final years in the Bronx at Poe Cottage, where he wrote some of his most famous works.… Continue reading Bronx Hero: Edgar Allan Poe
Bronx Hero: Dr. Ruth B. Love
“Education is not preparation for life — it is the power to transform it.” Written by Dennis Harvell Bronx Hero: Dr. Ruth B. Love The Origin Story Dr. Ruth B. Love, an influential educator and administrator, spent key years of her career shaping the educational landscape of the Bronx. Known for her bold leadership and… Continue reading Bronx Hero: Dr. Ruth B. Love
Bronx Hero: Colin Powell
“Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them.” Written by Dennis Harvell Bronx Hero: Colin Powell The Statesman & Strategic Commander The Son of the Hunt’s Point Colin Luther Powell was born on April 5, 1937, in Harlem but was raised in the… Continue reading Bronx Hero: Colin Powell
Bronx Hero: Milton Glaser
“To design is to communicate clearly by whatever means you can control or master.” — Milton Glaser Written by Dennis Harvell Bronx Hero: Milton Glaser The Origin Story Milton Glaser was born on June 26, 1929, in the Bronx. He grew up in the United Workers Cooperative Colony, known as “The Coops,” a famous housing… Continue reading Bronx Hero: Milton Glaser
Bronx Hero: Herman Badillo
Written by Dennis Harvell 🏛️ The Foundation & The Vision Herman Badillo, born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, in 1929, was a towering figure whose political career redefined what was possible for the Puerto Rican and Latino communities in the United States. Raised in the Bronx after being orphaned as a child, Herman Badillo‘s foundation was… Continue reading Bronx Hero: Herman Badillo
Bronx Hero: Willie Colón — The Architect of The Urban Chronicle
Si quieres cosechar, primero hay que sembrar.” (If you want to harvest, first you must sow.) from the song “Siembra (with Rubén Blades) which became a generational anthem for Latino identity and self-determination. Written by Dennis Harvell Bronx Hero: Willie Colón — The Architect of the Urban Chronicle Willie Colón (1950–2026) was much more than… Continue reading Bronx Hero: Willie Colón — The Architect of The Urban Chronicle
Bronx Hero: Kerry Washington
“Your life is your ship. You are the captain. You get to decide where it goes.” Written by Dennis Harvell Bronx Hero: Kerry Washington The Origin Story The Soundview Spirit Kerry Washington was born on January 31, 1977, in the Bronx. She was raised in the Jamie Towers Cooperative apartments in the Soundview neighborhood. Her… Continue reading Bronx Hero: Kerry Washington
Bronx Hero: Jonas Salk
Written by Dennis Harvell He didn’t patent the vaccine. He gave it to the world. That’s a Bronx Hero. A quiet hero with a world‑changing legacy. Jonas Salk didn’t chase fame — he chased a cure. And because of him, millions of children were spared from fear. A Bronx salute to a man who proved… Continue reading Bronx Hero: Jonas Salk