On February 12, 2026, during Black History Month, I attended an intimate and culturally resonant Fashion Show Panel Reception hosted by Novi Brown at The George Hotel. Part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton, The George at Columbia has officially opened at 126th Street and Morningside — a stunning new property in the heart of Harlem where Novi proudly serves as Hotel Ambassador.
The evening honored the influence, resilience, and future of Black women in fashion — bringing together leaders across modeling, media, retail, hospitality, and brand-building for a timely conversation centered on legacy, ownership, and evolution.
Novi Brown: Style, Substance & Cultural Curation
Novi curated more than a discussion — she curated an atmosphere.
As an actress, her passion for storytelling creates a personal connection with audiences. That same authenticity translates seamlessly into beauty, fashion, and experiential spaces like this one. A beautiful brown woman moving with intention, Novi understands how to hold space while elevating others.
Her personal style was refined yet intentional — structured, modern, and distinctly feminine. It mirrored both her presence and the aesthetic of The George itself. She has her pulse on fashion, film, beauty, and more importantly on creating authentic spaces of support and visibility.
As host, she created an experience that felt essential, not performative. It was Black unity during Black History Month expressed through conversation, proximity, and opportunity.
As a multi-hyphenate creative — artist, writer and entrepreneur — rooms like this feel aligned with my purpose. I’m grateful to Novi and her team for the invitation.
The Panel: Legacy, Ownership & Evolution
The panel featured powerhouse women offering insight from distinct yet interconnected lanes:
Princess Jenkins – Founder of The Brownstone
A Harlem retail pioneer who spoke candidly about sustaining Black-owned businesses and protecting legacy in changing neighborhoods.
Victoria Seabrooks – Model & Industry Insider
She shared perspective on representation in high fashion and the importance of strategic positioning.
Website: keistojoi.com
Joy spoke about faith-led entrepreneurship and building lifestyle brands rooted in authenticity and purpose.
Each woman added lived experience, cultural insight, and tangible value to the discussion.
Hospitality as a Living Thread
Hospitality was embodied.
The George Hotel is a thoughtfully designed boutique property blending contemporary elegance with Harlem’s cultural soul. Warm tones, curated artwork, textured finishes, and modern detailing create an immersive experience. The lobby bar acts as a social anchor — perfect for a morning latte meeting or an evening glass of Merlot.
Even in winter, the floor-to-ceiling glass overlooks the step-down outdoor pool area. You can already envision Spring–Summer 2026: sunlight reflecting, conversations flowing, culture gathering poolside.
Meaningful Connections
I connected with:
Yonathan Elias – Actor & Media Correspondent
Mel B Elder – Director of Photography
Covering all things Harlem and keeping the community tapped into culture, business, and movement uptown.
The diversity in the room created synergy. It was a space of access and alignment.
Dinner at Ricardo’s: Harlem Celebrates
From The George, we headed to Ricardo Steak House.
It was my first time there and the food was excellent.
I ordered the surf and turf, cooked medium well, and drank my fair share of sangria while the DJ played 90s classics. When “Alright” by Janet Jackson came on, it was a moment. The kind of nostalgic, shoulder-bouncing, sing-along greatness Harlem does so well.
After Dinner: Culture Continues at Native 125
After dinner, we found ourselves at Native 125.
An upscale West African fusion restaurant featuring a centrally elevated stage, Native 125 transforms dinner into performance.
We got our table and signed up.
Yonathan did his thing.
Novi jumped on stage and supported her friend.
Mel performed — and killed it.
Karaoke was hosted by C. King, who kept the energy high and the crowd engaged.
It was joy. It was real community. It was Harlem.
To stay connected and learn more about their next collaboration, follow Novi Brown and The George Hotel for upcoming cultural experiences and curated moments in Harlem.
