About

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

HARLEM IN HAVANA™ is an award-winning cultural media and heritage brand created by filmmaker and artist Leslie Cunningham. Rooted in the extraordinary story of Leon Claxton’s legendary Black and Cuban revue, Harlem in Havana™ preserves, interprets, and reimagines a vital chapter of American entertainment history through documentary films, exhibitions, live performances, books, photography, education programs, and digital storytelling. Harlem in Havana™ is a living archive and cultural movement dedicated to preserving the legacy of Black and Afro-Cuban artists who transformed the North American midway, stage, and popular culture during the era of Jim Crow.

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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)
  • The New York Public Library of Performing Arts (2026)
  • The David Atrium Lincoln Center (2026)

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.