Alvin Lee Smalls, "Good Will Ambassador" and Owner of ‘Lee Lee’s Bakery’ in Harlem, Honored

Alvin Lee Smalls Day Proclaimed in Harlem

Sweet tooth advocates have been known to satisfy their sugar cravings at Lee Lee’s Baked Goods, where any given day customers can find an array of creamy cakes, chocolate delights and apricot rugelachs that are sure to make you go umm, ummm, good. Lee Lee’s Bakery is located at 283 West, 118th Street, off Frederick Douglas Boulevard, in Manhattan.  Its owner, Alvin Lee Smalls, who is also the baker, is being honored by the village of Harlem. A Congratulations Letter from Congressman Charles Rangel and a proclamation from Councilwomen Inez Dickens will be given to Mr. Alvin Lee Smalls (known as Mr. ‘Lee Lee) on Sunday, September 30th at 8:00 p.m. at the American Legion Post, located at 248 West 132nd Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues).

 

The award presentation will be hosted by Commander Randy Dupree, Commander of the Charles Young Post #398 in Harlem.  In attendance will be invited press, Lloyd Williams, President of the Harlem Chamber of Commerce; Billy Mitchell, Ambassador for the Apollo Theatre.  Performers include: Members of The Last Poets, Founding Member Abiodun and drummer Babba Don; jazz musician ‘Sirag’, Lil Man-(a ten year old rap artist), jazz singer “Clarice,” Jesse Valencia(Michael Jackson Tribute Artist) Jarone Eames, Jazz Vocalist, Michael Angelo, Poet/Singer, ‘Jo Jo’- Harmonica Player, Adha Hahn, Spoken Word artist and other VIP’s to celebrate and honor Mr. ‘Lee Lee’.

 

Mr. ‘Lee Lee’ arrived in NYC in 1962 from George Town, South Carolina (the home of Michelle Obama’s daddy) as part of the Civil Rights Movement. He worked at New York Hospital for 30 years where he ran the bakery and learned his craft. Upon retiring from the hospital, Alvin, who claims he bakes with love, opened his own bakery in Harlem where he has operated his bakery for the past 19 years. He is famous for his rugelach which he slogans “Rugelach By A Brother.”

 

Mr. Smalls has been written up in the NY Times, Daily News, Amsterdam News and has been interviewed on Channels 5 & 7 — people come from all over New York City to get his desserts.’  However what makes Mr.  ‘Lee Lee’ stand out as a ‘baker’ is not only his delicious cakes and pastries but his “BAKING” UP GOOD WILL’ for the community. Birthed from a family of eleven children, he is “no stranger to struggle” having grown up in the segregated South.  His experience in the South taught him compassion and to lend a helping hand to those less fortunate along the way. He frequently ‘donates baked goods’ to Senior Citizens Homes, numerous charities and for under-privileged children in Harlem with The Uptown Dance Academy.

 

His bakery serves as a “haven” for many in the neighborhood who stop by for a ‘warm’ cup of coffee and a ‘warm’ greeting. Mr. Lee Lee is truly an “Ambassador of Good Will” to the neighborhood and to all who know him. The community feels Mr. Smalls is more than deserving of a Proclamation, proclaiming it: MR. LEE LEE DAY IN HARLEM. For further information contact: Dell Long of Dell Long Public Relations and Special Events (212) 212-662-0414 or at [email protected].

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