As I began to reflect on my old Harlem Neighborhood in Sugar Hill, I started doing research for a nonfiction historical account of its growth over the centuries. After seeing both the theatrical play and the screen version of “Hamilton” it brought up memories of growing up as a teen in Hamilton Heights. The two neighborhoods overlap and intersect.

I started gathering my thoughts, making some notes, writing a few drafts, researching grants and publishers…all with the end goal that I became inspired to write a historical nonfiction book about the beautiful Hamilton Heights and Sugar Hill Neighborhood I called home as a young woman many decades ago.

I am very proud that the book will be released April 2, 2024 as part of Fordham University Press’s “Empire State” imprint. It starts with the Dutch arrival on the island of Mannahata and the land of the Lenape people in the early 1600’s, moving to the Harlem’s incorporation in 1658 and the land divisions in the early 1700’s that created the historic neighborhood. George Washington camped out there in 1776 a very short distance from my old apartment after winning The Battle of Harlem Heights at the start of the American Revolution. Then Alexander Hamilton built The Grange, the only home he ever owned, in 1802. I hope you will take the time to visit the Amazon page to read more and buy a copy. Please visit my booth at The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at USC on April 20-21, 2024.