Queens' Hidden Gem: The Rising Stars of Corona-East Elmhurst

East Elmhurst, a quaint enclave nestled between Corona and the hustle of Queens, was once a thriving hub of Black excellence, known affectionately as the "Black Gold Coast." Within its one square mile, over the course of fifty years, the neighborhood became a beacon of cultural, artistic, and intellectual influence. For a place so small, the impact it has had on the world is nothing short of magnificent.

I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge my contributions to the music industry. I'm proud to say that I was raised in East Elmhurst, a place that shaped who I am today.

Growing up on 97th Street, I found myself in the very heart of it all. The neighborhood was not just a collection of streets and homes; it was a mosaic of dreams, talent, and triumph. As a young boy, I was surrounded by greatness, though at the time, I didn’t fully grasp the magnitude of the legacy being crafted around me.

Two-time Emmy Award winner Keith David, whose powerful voice and commanding presence have graced both stage and screen, lived just a stone's throw away in Corona. He attended P.S. 127 as a youth, where he began to cultivate the skills that would later make him a revered actor.

On the corner of my block on 25th Avenue, Mr. Trevor Gale, the drummer for Orange Krush and later President of SESAC, made his home. His presence brought a rhythmic energy to the street, where music often spilled from open windows, and dreams of stardom seemed almost tangible. A few doors down lived Harry Belafonte, the iconic singer, actor, and civil rights activist. Belafonte's journey from janitor in the neighborhood to global superstar was a testament to the resilience and talent nurtured within the walls of our community. His home on 97th Street and 25th Avenue was more than a residence; it was a symbol of what could be achieved through determination and passion.

Alyson Williams, a singer who also found her start with the R&B group Orange Krush, spent her summers and weekends in East Elmhurst, traveling back and forth from Harlem. It was here, amid family and familiar faces, that she honed her craft, preparing for the stage that would soon be hers.

Larry Smith, the legendary bassist and producer for Orange Krush, Run-DMC, and Whodini, once worked at the gas station on Astoria Blvd and 92nd Street. Before he made it big, he was just Larry from the neighborhood, a young man with big dreams who turned those aspirations into a legacy that would influence the sound of an entire generation.

Christopher "Kid" Reid from Kid 'n Play lived close to Curtis Street, and the R&B singer Glenn Jones, known for hits like "We've Only Just Begun" and "Show Me," lived just upstairs from him. Jones often rented videos from me when I worked at the video store on 93rd Street and Astoria Blvd, not yet aware that the man before me would become a voice that would echo through the airwaves.

The neighborhood was also home to Kool G Rap and DJ Polo. I first met Polo at the ABC camp in the Man Power building on Northern Blvd. I knew G Rap through his best friend Rahkim—not to be confused with the rapper Rakim, Eric B’s partner. Rahkim lived on 99th Street, where I spent a lot of time as a kid. I vividly remember when Rahkim and G Rap had their local rap group together.

The Catholic school St. Gabriel’s, just a block from my home on 97th Street and Astoria Blvd, was the alma mater of Kool G Rap, Herby Luv Bug, and Kwame. Kwame grew up down the same street, where I lived. His rise to fame was yet another example of the extraordinary talent that seemed to spring from every corner of East Elmhurst.

One of my closest neighbors was See Divine, the DJ, rapper, and radio personality from the World Famous Supreme Team. He moved to 97th Street in 1979, infusing our community with the vibrant sounds of WHBI radio. Two years later, he relocated to Humphreys Street, next to Herby Luv Bug, just before releasing the hit single "Buffalo Gals" with Malcolm McLaren. See Divine and his partner, Just Allah the Superstar, were known as the kings of Times Square's three-card monte scene, embodying the hustle and grit that defined our neighborhood.

Further down the street, Christopher "Play" Martin from Kid 'n Play lived on Butler Street. Next door to him was none other than Tommy Agee, the legendary Mets outfielder whose home run in Game 3 of the 1969 World Series would forever be etched in baseball history.

Willie Mays, famously known as the "Say Hey Kid," purchased a house for his wife, Marguerite, on Ditmars Boulevard. During his time there, renowned radio DJ Frankie Crocker also lived in the home while engaged to Mays' daughter. Marguerite continued to live in the home after his departure. Before acquiring the Ditmars property, Mays stayed with Marguerite on 99th Street, between Astoria Boulevard and 25th Avenue. The presence of such a legendary athlete in our neighborhood felt almost surreal, yet it was just another day in the vibrant community of East Elmhurst.

La Forrest Cope, a talented songwriter who penned Whitney Houston’s hit "You Give Good Love," grew up in our neighborhood. She was also an artist, painting murals on the bathhouse in 127 Park, her creativity leaving a lasting mark on the place that had shaped her.

Wayne Garfield, another notable figure, worked with Roy Ayers on the soundtrack for *Coffy*, starring Pam Grier. He also co-wrote the hit singles "Glow of Love" and “Searching” for the R&B group Change, featuring a young Luther Vandross. Their collaboration was yet another example of the brilliance that emerged from our community.

There were whispers—persistent, yet unconfirmed—of Hush Productions artists recording in the neighborhood. Whether true or not, the idea that our streets could have birthed such magic only added to the mystique of East Elmhurst.

Malcolm X, the renowned African-American Muslim minister and human rights activist, called East Elmhurst home. He originally lived on Humphreys Street before moving to 97th Street. His home was firebombed in February 1965, just a week before his assassination. After Malcolm's passing, Louis Farrakhan moved into the same home, living there for nearly a decade, a symbol of the ongoing struggle for justice and equality that defined the era.

Producer and rapper Large Professor in his early years grew up on 99th Street, across from 92 Park, where he honed his skills before forming the group Main Source. His DJs later moved to the Dorie Miller Apartments in Corona, continuing the legacy of Corona-East Elmhurst’s influence on hip-hop culture.

Styles P from The Lox, another figure in the world of hip-hop, lived in Corona before his family moved to Yonkers. The impact of our neighborhood stretched far beyond its borders, influencing artists across the city and beyond.

Eric B, whom we knew as Louis Barrier—or simply "Hook," his childhood nickname—grew up on 95th Street. He was part of the Paid in Full Posse, alongside his homie Supreme Magnetic, who lived not too far from him.

Sidney Poitier, the first African-American to win an Academy Award for Best Actor, lived in Corona-East Elmhurst before his career blossomed. He even owned a fish fry on Northern Blvd, though it eventually burned down, a small footnote in the life of a man who would become a legend.

Frankie Lymon, the young singer whose life was immortalized in *Why Do Fools Fall in Love*, also lived in East Elmhurst. There were whispers that he lived on 25th Avenue, but like so many stories in our neighborhood, the exact details remain shrouded in mystery.

Jackie Robinson, the trailblazing baseball player who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball, was also rumored to have lived in our community. Whether true or not, the presence of such a figure in East Elmhurst seemed entirely possible.

Bill Kenny from The Ink Spots, the pioneering vocal group that paved the way for future R&B artists, had a beautiful home on Ditmars Blvd. His smooth, velvety voice was known around the world, but to us, he was just another neighbor.

Darrell Whiting, known as "Apps," or ‘The God,” was a notorious figure from the 80s, a drug lord whose life story inspired the movie *In Too Deep* starring LL Cool J. Though his path diverged sharply from many of the other legends of Corona-East Elmhurst, his presence was a reminder of the complex realities that shaped our neighborhood.

As a young teen, LL Cool J would make daily trips to Ditmars Blvd to practice with his rap group, the Super Rockin’ Brothers. Afterward, he, Steve Duncan and Alfred Brooks would often shoot hoops at 127 Park.

Nipsey Russell, the comedian and actor known for his quick wit and rhyming quips, also called East Elmhurst home. His humor brought joy to many, even as his neighborhood changed around him.

Martin Luther King Jr., the civil rights icon, used to take monthly trips to East Elmhurst to study at a local church congregation as a student pastor. Though his time here was brief, it was part of the journey that shaped him into the leader who would go on to change the world.

The Disco Twins, influential DJs who helped shape the sound of hip-hop, lived in East Elmhurst and owned a grocery store on Northern Blvd. Their deejay skills were the soundtrack of our youth, a constant presence in the neighborhood.

Ella Fitzgerald, the First Lady of Song, and her husband, jazz musician Ray Brown, lived on Ditmars Blvd. Their music, filled with emotion and soul, resonated with the very essence of our community.

Rapper Mike Geronimo lived on 98th Street, across from St. Gabriel’s, where so many of the greats had walked before him. His music, like that of so many others from our neighborhood, carried the spirit of East Elmhurst to the world.

Producer Herby Luv Bug, the creative force behind Salt-N-Pepa, lived on Humphreys Street, another testament to the musical talent that flourished in our community. His beats, catchy and groundbreaking, would help define an era.

Meli’sa Morgan, known for her powerful voice and hits like "Do Me Baby," lived in the Dorie Miller Housing Area. Jazz musician Jimmy Heath, father of James Mtume, managed the Dorie Miller Apartments and lived there for many years.

Randall Pinkston, the news anchor, lived on 95th Street next to Eric B. His presence in the neighborhood was a reminder of the diverse talents that East Elmhurst nurtured.

Actor Frank Silvera, known for his roles in the 50s and 60s, lived on the corner of 98th Street and Astoria Blvd. His contributions to film and theater added to the rich tapestry of our community.

Attorney General Eric Holder, who served under President Obama, lived not too far from 127 Park. His rise to prominence was yet another example of the remarkable individuals who called East Elmhurst home.

Louis Armstrong, the legendary jazz musician, was a staple in the neighborhood. Kids would gather around his stoop to watch him play his trumpet, and he got his hair cut at a local barbershop on Northern Blvd. His presence was a constant reminder of the artistic spirit that defined East Elmhurst.

Dizzy Gillespie, another jazz great, lived not far from Armstrong. News clips from the time tell of burglars breaking into his home and stealing his famous bent trumpet, a testament to the notoriety of the area.

JuJu from the Beatnuts had his stomping grounds in Corona, where he grew up. The neighborhood shaped his sound, and he often drew inspiration from the vibrant culture and tight-knit community around him.

Ray Felix, a professional basketball player who played in the NBA for the New York Knicks, also lived in East Elmhurst. His athletic achievements were a source of pride for the community.

Charles "Honi" Coles, an actor and tap dancer best known for his role as Tito Suarez in the film *Dirty Dancing*, lived in East Elmhurst. He traveled back and forth to Harlem, where he managed the Apollo Theater, adding to the cultural richness of our neighborhood.

Bobby Hammond, a former running back who played in the National Football League for the New York Giants and Washington Redskins before starting a career as a coach, lived in East Elmhurst. His sports career was a testament to the diverse talents nurtured in our community.

Over the years, East Elmhurst has transformed, evolving into a different demographic by 2024. Yet, its legacy as the "Black Gold Coast" remains vibrant and influential, celebrated for its contributions to culture, music, sports, and civil rights. The stories of those who lived and thrived here continue to inspire, serving as a testament to the neighborhood's enduring spirit of creativity and excellence. From music and sports to civil rights and culture, East Elmhurst has been a cradle of talent and ambition. As we look to the future, the echoes of its past remind us of the extraordinary community that once was, a hidden gem that shaped the stars of tomorrow.

By Ron Lawrence