VOZA RIVERS, NEW HERITAGE THEATRE GROUP & THE GREATER HARLEM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
FEATURED IN NEW BOOK
THE ART OF WALKING MANHATTAN SIDEWAYS
BY BETSY BOBER POLIVY
In 2011 Betsy Bober Polivy had the crazy idea to walk the entire original Manhattan Grid – from 1st Street to 155th, traversing the streets from the East River to the Hudson River, visiting businesses, meeting the owners, and listening to their stories. It was a marvelous adventure that is documented on her website sideways.nyc. Betsy is a dedicated advocate for small businesses. In March 2020, she made the decision to self-publish Walking Manhattan Sideways - Side Street Businesses That Have Stood the Test of Time gosideways.nyc.
The book, a must-read, showcased the quintessential businesses that have survived over the course of many decades; in addition to shining a light on many scrumptious restaurants, splendid neighborhood bars and one-of-a-kind shops that have survived on the side streets for decades, The Art of Walking Manhattan Sideways features magnificent places of worship, fascinating not-for-profits, and the Arts – in all its forms – galleries, museums, music venues and schools, dance institutes and theaters.
After meeting and interviewing Voza Rivers, Betsy decided that she would highlight Voza in her book by writing about this extraordinary leader and his work with The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, celebrating its 125th anniversary, and New Heritage Theatre Group, celebrating its 58th anniversary – two organizations to which Voza has committed his life.
