Winner of the “Uncovering History Award“, ” by Dancinema!

Step Right Up! Experience the Legacy of Harlem in Havana™!

Welcome to Harlem in Havana™, a groundbreaking multimedia documentary initiative by artist, filmmaker and cultural historian Leslie Cunningham. Part archival resurrection, part artistic tribute, and part living movement, this bold cultural revival brings to light the untold story of Harlem in Havana — the legendary Black and Cuban traveling girl show that shattered racial barriers and redefined American entertainment during the Jim Crow era.

The project offers public screenings, live exhibitions, educational workshops, and online programming including:

JIG SHOW: Leon Claxton’s Harlem in Havana (documentary film)
Brown Skin Showgirls live events and museum exhibits
Photography exhibitions & Brown Skin Showgirls books
Burlesque education series & online classes
Digital magazine, legacy poem, and music playlists

Making an Impact, Reigniting a Movement

From festival honors to museum exhibits, from educational scholarships to international recognition, This multimedia project is a cultural rebirth and living history. It’s time the world knew this story. Harlem in Havana Project creator Leslie Cunningham has been honored as Guest of Honor, keynote speaker, and educator at:

BurlyCon (2022)
The International Booklover’s Burlesque Festival (2023)
The Rose Academy of Burlesque (2023)
The Atlanta School for Burlesque (2024)
Burlesque Hall of Fame (2025)
The Raleigh School of Burlesque (2025)

Brown Skin Showgirls

Presented by Harlem in Havana™, Brown Skin Showgirls is a living tribute to the legacy of Black and Brown burlesque. These live documentary performances fuses burlesque-inspired dance, music, archival photography, and storytelling to bring the Harlem in Havana legacy to life—connecting past and present through partnerships with today’s burlesque artists and communities. Learn more.