Hello all! It’s been only 7 months but feels like years since our last chat, and I have been on an emotional rollercoaster since the first season ended. When a spotlight is pointed in your direction, it is a given that your life as it was will never be the same. Your view of the world changes and the majority of people around you do also.

For me a lot of friendships were altered, and foes were gained. New folks come out of the woodwork, and old folks shrink into the background. Random people critique your style, hair, walk, talk, and relevance in the word, without so much as a conversation before casting their judgment. Your skin grows an extra layer to absorb the judgment and protect you. That’s what they tend to call ‘the territory’ when you enter into the land of opening your windows to the television world.

But even with the challenges, I have been given so many blessings. For every hater there have been 10 admirers. I’ve met many people and received countless letters, young and old inspired how me and my Harlem Heights fam are going for our dreams.

Outside of the life drama everyone goes through, that was the goal… to inspire. With so many negative programs showcasing young black people doing some questionable things. I can be proud with the final product that is Harlem Heights because in the end everyone had a life goal. We are in the trenches of New York hustling everyday to reach it.

When I meet fans of the show they always ask about what we are doing now. So I’ll give you an update….

Bridget…
Words can’t express how proud I am of my cousin. Even in her final year of law school, she holds down jobs that people out of school can’t handle. Travels the world, and gives back to the community as a volunteer for HEAF, and on the fundraiser committee for The Harlem Children’s Zone.

She is now a lead entertainment blogger and after school will be starting a digital engagement company.
Follow Bridget on Twitter @missbridge

Pierre…
Still making a difference with his day job at the grassroots organization, he spends his spare time perfecting his craft of acting. Over the summer he starred in an short film coming out next year called ‘Justine’, and an off Broadway play ‘The Bronx is Next’, by poet/playwright Sonia Sanchez. This month he started filming a pilot for a drama series as the lead male. He goes home to Trenton a lot to work with UIH Family dealing with at risk youth.

Even with his crazy schedule we still manage to find the time to hit up events all over town.
Follow Pierre on Twitter @Pierre_Downing

Christian & Brooke…
Christian is still working with basketball. Dealing with player relations, brand marketing, and basketball related event execution. Brooke left MTV over the summer to pursue independent projects, including writing a book based loosely on our lives before Harlem Heights. And yes the rumors are true… they are still together, and engaged to be married. The wedding planning is in high gear as we speak….

Jason…
As he would say… still splashy with wavy motions. Touring the country, hosting parties, and making appearances with Jim Jones and Jules Santana. His non profit is still in the works….

The most important role he plays is being a full-time dad to his daughter.
Follow Jason on Twitter @mryoungharlem

Ally…
Ally has been moving at warp speed since the season ended, dancing backup for Beyonce at the MTV Video Music Awards. Then selected to be a New York Knicks Dancer for the 2009-2010 basketball season, and can be currently seen turning it out at home games.

Her next plan is to be in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show for the second year in a row…..

& Lamar…
Lamar continues to take the modeling world by storm. He will be featured in a seven page spread for XXL magazine. Lamar just shot the upcoming ad campaign for Pelle Pelle, is the in house fit model for Synergy, and walked in shows for Spring 2010 Paris Fashion Week, and New York Fashion Week…..

Ally and Lamar are still going strong, and in works to expand their lifestyle website www.superswagger.com.
Follow them on Twitter @allymisslove @LamarsSwagg

Kelly M…
Kelly M. was recently promoted to Manager of Business Development, and is working more closely with friend Kelli C. at GlobalHue. She maintains her social butterfly status being involved with charitable efforts and fundraising for New York ACT-SO (Olympics of the Mind) and Success Academy Charter School in the Bronx…..

She still remains very good friends with Ashlie and Brooke, and in the end didn’t have to choose sides….

We never resolved our differences after our blow up on camera. I have also learned I can be stubborn times and tend to hold a grudge. But like I always say… I’m a work in progress. We were friends a long time before the cameras came on, so I wish her well and nothing but success.
**Sidebar: Kelly never came off the beach into the ocean to get on the wave with Jason… or however he put… I dunno… lol. They still remain just friends.**
Follow Kelly M on Twitter @Kells1

Ashlie…
Ashlie is currently represented by commercial and print agencies. She was recently cast in an independent film that will start shooting soon. Ash continues to read scripts, audition, and take classes to hone her craft.

She remained very close friends w/ Kelly M. & Kelli C., and speaks to her other Harlem Heights friends on occasion
Still LA Bound…..
Follow Ashlie on Twitter @AshlieGray

Landon…
Landon ran for office in the primary election for City Council on Sept 15th. He did very well against an entrenched incumbent, and obtained over 2800 votes to come in 2nd place out of 3 people running. Defeating the 3rd candidate by over 1300 votes. Landon is currently working on a non-profit called Uptown Residents who Care. The mission is to develop the future leaders of Harlem.

The primaries won’t stop him from reaching the City Council office. He plans on running again.
Follow Landon on Twitter @Harlem4Dais

& last but not least….

Me (Briana)…
After four long years of preparation and reworking the designs, my handbag line B.Marie is finally in production. With shipments ready to go I will officially launch for the Spring 2010 season. I feel extremely blessed for the platform Harlem Heights gave me to share my love with the world. Over the summer I worked with many organizations to spread awareness of the minority presence in the Fashion Industry. Encouraging the youth to pursue a career in design. I was honored to host the NAACP 100th National convention fashion show for the youth and college division, where I was able to feature some of my friends that have founded successful fashion labels. I also teamed up with others in the industry for the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund, speaking to college students on how to navigate the fashion industry.
I am still a part of the 3B coalition….

In the end I’m just a tall black girl from Georgia, who came to New York City with a dream. Some love me, some hate me, but hopefully you all respect my hustle…..
Follow me on Twitter @bmariestyle

‘Til next time…

Ciao, ciao.

-Briana

See  new cast images from Briana’s collection here!

TAGS: Harlem Heights

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