On Tuesday, September 29, from 6:30-8:00 PM, MMPCIA welcomes neighbor, Clara Villarosa, as kick-off guest speaker in its second season of Mount Morris Talks! — a series of conversations between the community and leaders, news makers, artists, authors and thinkers who live in the Harlem area.

Clara Villarosa is nationally known as co-founder of two influential bookstores focused on the African American market: the Hue-Man Experience, established in Denver in 1984, and the Hue-Man Bookstore & Cafe which opened in Harlem in 2002. Situated in the Harlem USA retail complex a half a block from the world-famous Apollo Theatre, the 4,000 sf space became the largest African American bookstore in the US and an important destination for both Harlem residents and visitors. The store has had the privilege of hosting famous authors including, James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, Terri McMillan, E. Lynn Harris, Colin Powell, Maya Angelou, Bebe Moore Campbell and Walter Mosley. In June 2004, the bookstore hosted the historic event where former President Bill Clinton signed more than 2,100 copies of his memoir.

The Hue-Man “brand”– in Denver and New York — has been aided by Villarosa’s high-profile membership in the American Booksellers Association where she served on its board for seven years and as a trustee of the the University of Denver where she still serves. Across the bookselling industry she became to “go-to” person for African American books and authors and has been featured in print and electronic media sharing insights and observations on the subject. The recipient of numerous industry awards, she is the founder of the African American Booksellers Association and sits on the board of New York is Book Country.

Retiring in 2004 as Managing Partner of the Harlem bookstore, Villarosa is currently a business coach and conduct workshops for banks and community organizations about how to prepare for entrepreneurship. With clients that include realtors, restaurateurs, retailers, developers, a veterinary hospital, an art gallery and a media production company, she works in one-on-one consultation with small business to help plan their strategy and growth. In her new book “Down to Business: The First 10 Steps to Entrepreneurship for Women” (Avery Books; On sale Sept 1, 2009; $17.00), Villarosa gives budding entrepreneurs clear, step-by-step tips on starting their own businesses as well as real-life stories of businesswomen at all stages of the game themselves.

Please join MMPCIA and Clara Villarosa as we kick off the second season of Mount Morris Talks! Tuesday, September 29, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM at the Harlem Branch of the New York Public Library, Community Room 3rd floor, 9 West 124th Street.

MMPCIA is proud to sponsor this series and offers it free of charge to the community.