Year in Review: Top 'Columbia Neighbors' Stories of 2025

December invites us to reflect on moments that shaped the year. As we look forward to ushering in a new year and continuing to tell local stories rooted in connection, culture, and community, we're looking back on the pieces that resonated with our readers throughout 2025. 

From candid community conversations with local leaders to vibrant photo recaps of Uptown celebrations, dive into this collection of the top Columbia Neighbors stories of this year.

January: A Lens on Local Advocacy

George Van Amson Fellow Obse Abebe Talks the Importance of Intersectional Justice

Reflecting on the Power of Restorative Justice With George Van Amson Fellow Eloise Benoit

We stepped into the New Year with local stories that exemplified the power of community-driven social impact. Our George Van Amson Fellowship spotlights centered the voices of civically engaged students and offered a lens into how their work with local organizations has shaped their perspectives on advancing justice. 

For Obse Abebe (CC’27), her time at the holistic legal defense-focused nonprofit The Bronx Defenders crystallized the importance of meeting the communities you serve where they are. Through her work at the recidivism-focused nonprofit The Fortune Society, Eloise Benoit (BC'25) gained a deeper appreciation for building meaningful connections. Both of their fellowship journeys were informative and inspiring, offering insight into some of the most pressing issues Uptown communities are grappling with and expressing their dedication to changing the narrative. The future looks bright!

February: A Cinematic Celebration of Culture

African Diaspora International Film Festival Is a Cinematic Celebration of History and Heritage

In celebration of Black History Month, we explored heritage and culture through the art of cinema. Our readers gravitated toward this conversation with Afro-Cuban educator and film aficionado Dr. Reinaldo Barroso-Spech (TC’02), co-founder of the African Diaspora International Film Festival.

To mark the festival’s 33rd anniversary, Barroso-Spech discussed how he and his wife Diarah N'Daw-Spech (BUS’92) conceptualized the vision for the cinematic celebration—which often hosts screenings at Teachers College—and the importance of amplifying the work of independent filmmakers and bringing culturally relevant films to the forefront, as well as how the Harlem community has supported and influenced the growth of ADIFF.

“We’re always in the neighborhood,” Barroso-Spech told Neighbors. “Many people don’t see us as festival directors; they see us as cultural activists. I believe in the transformational and educational power of films, and my wife shares that sentiment. It’s the vision and the mission of the company we created.”

March: Honoring the Legacy of a Local Legend

Remembering Dr. Hazel N. Dukes: A Matriarch of the Civil Rights Movement

While the world geared up to celebrate the contributions of phenomenal women throughout history in March, we joined the local community in remembering the life and legacy of one of Uptown’s most remarkable leaders: civil rights advocate Dr. Hazel N. Dukes. The longtime Lenox Terrace resident whose grassroots organizing helped shape Harlem and beyond died March 1, 2025, at 92. Our readers joined us in paying tribute to the trailblazer by reading about her barrier-breaking contributions across the social and political spheres. 

Among the community reflections was a statement from Manhattan Community Board 10, where Dukes served until February 2024, that magnified her steadfast commitment to enriching the Harlem community. “Dr. Hazel Nell Dukes was a force—an unwavering champion for justice and the upliftment of all,” it read. “Yet, despite her national and global influence, she never forgot Harlem. She understood that if her neighborhood wasn’t taken care of, she could not focus on others. Harlem was always in her heart, and she worked tirelessly to ensure its progress.”

April: The Art of Connection

5+ Uptown Art Exhibitions to Add to Your Spring Bucket List

As the spring season made its long-awaited arrival, our readers were in search of ways to experience the vibrancy of Uptown’s arts scene in full bloom. This roundup of immersive and innovative exhibitions was a popular read in April. From Harlem to the Bronx, celebrated cultural institutions hosted shows that amplified the work of local artists and encouraged folks to get out, explore, and connect over the creative arts. 

Among the must-see shows featured in this curated list was the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance's exhibition Hair: Untangling Identity, a project curated by award-winning artist Andrea Arroyo that visually captured how strands are used as a means to tell stories. Another one was Songs of New York: 100 Years of Imagining the City Through Music at the Museum of the City of New York, which explored the Big Apple’s history as a birthplace of musical genres and how it inspired the creation of iconic songs. Did any of the NYC anthems land on your Spotify Wrapped?

May: Reaching for the Stars Uptown

Morningside Heights to the Moon: Columbia STAR Program Aims to Expand Access to Astronomy Education Uptown

We carried the celestial energy of Global Astronomy Month (April) into May with a spotlight on the Columbia Student Training in Astronomy Research (STAR) Mentoring Program. The initiative was launched by Daniel Yahalomi (GSAS'25) in 2024 and is designed to expand astronomy education Uptown for local youth. Built on the pillars of discovery and mentorship, the community-driven STEM exploration program offers paid research opportunities for high school students in Morningside Heights, where they’re mentored by PhD students from Columbia's Department of Astronomy. Yahalomi caught up with Neighbors to discuss STAR’s impact Uptown and aspirations for the program’s growth. 

“We want students participating in the Columbia STAR program to bring back what they’re learning to their communities,” Yahalomi said. “For example, hopefully, people would be inspired to learn more about astronomy by hearing a 10th grader from the Bronx break down how to simulate the impact rate of craters on the moon. I think that’s a pretty powerful thing.”

June: A Manhattanville Community Day that Reigned with Joy

12 Connection-Filled Photos From Manhattanville Community Day 2025

Despite the spring showers, a time was had at Columbia’s annual Manhattanville Community Day celebration! Our neighbors and University affiliates came together to experience a fun-filled afternoon of film screenings with a Roaring Twenties-twist, immersive sidewalk STEM sessions for youth, locally loved eats crafted by neighborhood gems like Fauzia's Heavenly Delights and Sugar Hill Creamery, arts and crafts workshops, the opportunity to connect with community organizations including the New York Public Library and the Columbia Center for Community Health, and more. 

From photos of youngsters aboard the BioBus to joyful images of neighbors indulging in the sample-sized smorgasbord of Uptown treats, our readers loved this photo recap of the festive fête. See you at next year’s MCD!

July: A Taste of Uptown’s Culinary Scene

'Taste of Harlem' Is a Culinary Celebration of Uptown's Vibrant Cultures

The summertime celebrations of community continued in July with the return of the New York Women's Chamber of Commerce’s (NYWCC) annual Taste of Harlem event at the Lee C. Bollinger Forum. Ahead of the foodie festival, our readers wanted the scoop on the buzz-worthy celebration, and during this Columbia Neighbors interview, NYWCC President Quenia Abreu dished the details. Abreu, who grew up in Harlem, spoke about the event’s origin story, West Harlem’s influence within Uptown's burgeoning culinary scene, and how NYWCC is driving economic empowerment forward by supporting small business owners through events like Taste of Harlem.

“Taste of Harlem was started to bring people to this particular area to get a taste of what we have to offer through food, culture, and networking with people who make this neighborhood special,” said Abreu. Check out photos from this year's event. 

August: Harlem Week Centers Reverence and Remembrance

Five Cultural Events to Add to Your 'Harlem Week 2025' Itinerary

Harlem Week was all the buzz in August, and our readers wanted to know which events deserved spots on their summer bucket lists. Curated to embody the electricity of Uptown’s cultural scene, the lineup, which brought back banner events and expanded with the addition of new community celebrations, featured a Harlem Tennis Street Takeover that served up Challengers energy and Harlem Day, which transforms the 135th Street corridor into a bustling block party. 

Themed “Celebrate Our Magic,” this year’s hybrid festival called for collective community reflection as one of the cultural architects behind the celebration, Lloyd A. Williams, passed away on Aug. 5, 2025, at 80. Festival organizers and attendees used this year’s nearly month-long event to honor the late local leader and what he built for the community.

September: A ‘Back-2-School’ Block Party in Harlem

Cheerful Photos From the 10th Annual 'Back-2-School' Block Party in Harlem

September brings a sense of wonder and excitement as youth gear up for the start of a new school season. Before the official return to the classroom, the NYPD 26th Precinct’s Community Affairs division, Manhattan Community Board 9 and the West Harlem Development Corporation—with support from Columbia Community Service, Columbia University Facilities and Operations’ Construction Business Initiatives unit, Columbia’s Office of Public Safety, and other local organizations—hosted its 10th Annual "Back-2-School" block party for local youth in Manhattanville. 

The celebration included a free distribution of backpacks and school supply essentials, along with other fun-filled, family-friendly activities. From a cotton candy station to sidewalk rock climbing, our readers enjoyed these jubilant photos that reflected the impact of community-centered events that uplift youth and their families.

October: A Conversation with Columbia Professor Hisham Aidi

'Upper Manhattan—That’s Home': Columbia Professor Hisham Aidi on Harlem's Influence on His Life and Work

In October, one of our reader favorites was this candid conversation with Hisham Aidi, Senior Lecturer in the Discipline of International and Public Affairs at Columbia. The dynamic discussion delved into Aidi’s Uptown connections. He’s brought stories about activists like Harlem’s Sister Aisha to the forefront through his documentaries and helped local institutions, like the Washington Heights-based Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Education Center, lead cultural preservation projects. 

Aidi talked about his journey to New York City, the parallels between global politics and life in Harlem, and his favorite places Uptown. “Harlem has always been a site of internationalism,” he said.

Another important story from the month that sits at the intersection of Columbia, the local community, and social impact was the announcement of the 13th cohort of A'Lelia Bundles Community Scholars.

November: Planting Seeds of Purpose at Harlem’s Saint Nicholas Miracle Garden

Sowing Seeds of Community Care at Harlem’s Saint Nicholas Miracle Garden

Throughout the year, we spotlighted community leaders at the helm of grassroots projects designed to educate and empower. Among the most popular stories was our conversation with food justice advocate Judi Desire, who led the revitalization of Harlem’s Saint Nicholas Miracle Garden through her nonprofit organization Uptown & Boogie Healthy Project. The Uptown green space has become a pillar within the local community, as it’s been the backdrop for initiatives designed to expand access to healthy food options and introduce local youth to sustainability-focused education. 

Desire discussed the state of sustainability in New York City and the importance of green spaces Uptown. 

“We take a grassroots approach to everything we do,” she said. “We need to give the Harlem community what it’s asking for. The conversations are there, but there needs to be more effort around access and education, and that’s what I feel food justice is.”

December: Embracing the Light of the Season

Uptown Aglow: 13 Photos From the Harlem Holiday Lights Parade and Columbia's Manhattanville Tree Lighting

An epic holiday season in Harlem wouldn’t be complete without glowing lighting celebrations throughout the neighborhood. This recap of the 125th Street Business Improvement District's Harlem Holiday Lights Parade and Lights on the Plaza on Columbia's Manhattanville campus was a favorite among our readers. From faces that beamed with joy to festive floats, these photos captured the essence of the season's excitement.

We’re grateful for the memories we made with our neighbors throughout 2025, and we’re carrying the light of community into the New Year! Thank you for reading (and sharing!) these stories throughout the year.