Summer 2026

Pull Back the Curtain: The Show Is Just Getting Started

Hello Beautiful People,

If you’ve been following this journey for a while, you already know, I have a habit of falling down rabbit holes.

One newspaper clipping becomes fifty.

One photograph leads to another city.

One forgotten performer refuses to leave my mind until I learn her story.

That’s how The Harlem in Havana Project was born.

What started as a search for my grandfather, Leon Claxton, became something much bigger. It became a mission to recover an entire world of Black and Cuban performers whose artistry, glamour, and brilliance helped shape American entertainment but somehow slipped through the cracks of history.

For years, this work happened quietly.

In archives.

Libraries.

Boxes of photographs.

Late nights.

Coffee. A lot of coffee.

Then, something shifted.

The first half of 2026 felt like watching decades of research step out from behind the curtain and into the spotlight.

Here’s what we’ve been up to…

Washington, D.C. — Brown Skin Showgirls® Takes the Stage

Black History Month kicked off with one of the proudest moments.

Brown Skin Showgirls: Leon Claxton’s Harlem in Havana (1930s–1960s) premiered at Dupont Underground in Washington, D.C., as part of the exhibition Everybody Wants to Be a Showgirl.

This exhibit was a public debut of my new Brown Skin Showgirls Traveling Exhibition. Visitors stepped into a world of glamorous Black and Cuban showgirls through rare photographs, archival film and couture doll recreations inspired by original costumes.

Watching people slow down…smile…point at photographs…and ask questions reminded me why this work matters.

These women weren’t forgotten because they lacked talent. They were forgotten because history didn’t always make room for them.

But, we’re changing that. The exhibition opened with an artist talk, live burlesque performances, and an exhibition walkthrough that felt more like a celebration than an opening reception.

Exactly as it should.

Learn about the new exhibit.

Tampa Gives My Grandfather His Flowers

A few weeks later, another unforgettable moment.

On February 23, the City of Tampa unveiled a permanent historical marker honoring the Claxton Manor Motel, founded by my grandfather, Leon Claxton, as part of Tampa’s Soulwalk Black History Trail.

Hearing the news, I wasn’t thinking about research. I was thinking about family. About dreams. About what it meant for Black entrepreneurs to build spaces of safety, dignity, and opportunity during segregation.

History has a funny way of circling back.

Sometimes it whispers. Sometimes it stands on a street corner and says, “We’re finally ready to remember.”

Learn more about the historical marker.

Harlem in Havana Lights Up New York City

Then came…

New York.

What a day.

On May 9, Harlem in Havana NYC took over two iconic stages for a one-day celebration of film, performance, and living history.

The day began at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts with the New York premiere of JIG SHOW | Leon Claxton’s Harlem in Havana.

Watching audiences laugh, cry, and discover this story for the first time reminded me why I make films.

Afterward, we gathered for an artist talk, followed by a beautiful performance from the incredible burlesque historian, Bebe Bardeaux.

*GiGi Holliday, Leslie Cunningham, Chicava Tate and Bebe Bardeaux*

Then we headed to Lincoln Center’s David Rubenstein Atrium. And that’s when the party really started.

Brown Skin Showgirls: A Harlem in Havana Tribute Show filled the stage with music, dance, burlesque, glamour, and pure joy.

For one unforgettable evening, Harlem in Havana wasn’t tucked away inside an archive.

She put on her lashes.

Stepped into sequins.

Walked into the spotlight.

And reminded everyone she still knows how to bring down the house.

Learn about Harlem in Havana NYC.

When the Jazz World Came Calling

One morning I opened my email and discovered Harlem in Havana had been featured in All About Jazz.

For years these stories lived quietly inside forgotten newspaper clippings and dusty archives.

Now one of the world’s leading jazz publications was recognizing Leon Claxton’s influence on American music history.

That moment belonged to every performer who spent decades crossing this country, making audiences laugh, dance, and dream.

Another piece of history finds its way home.

Read the full article.

Writing Between the Glitter

This summer I published one of the most personal essays I’ve ever written: What the Archives Didn’t Keep: Who Gets Remembered in American Culture and Who Gets Lost in Motion.

People often imagine archives as silent places.

I don’t.

I hear orchestras tuning.

High heels backstage.

Train whistles.

Dancers laughing.

Suitcases closing.

Crowds applauding.

Archives aren’t quiet.

They’re waiting.

And every time I write, I feel like I’m introducing people who have been patiently waiting for someone to remember their names.

Read the essay.

® A Tiny Symbol That Means Everything

Harlem in Havana® is officially a registered trademark , a milestone that made me smile more than I expected.

That little ® carries years of research, filmmaking, exhibitions, photographs, books, conversations, and belief.

It protects this growing body of work.

More importantly…

It protects the legacy.

So…What’s Next?

I’m just getting started.

Right now I’m developing Harlem in Havana® as a dramatic screenplay series.

Some stories simply couldn’t fit inside one documentary.

This next chapter will let us spend more time with these unforgettable characters, their families, their triumphs, their heartbreaks, and the extraordinary world they created.

I’m also developing a podcast built around the thousands of newspaper stories I’ve collected over the years.

The Brown Skin Showgirls Traveling Exhibition continues.

More screenings. More art talks. More discoveries. More surprises.

And yes… A little more glitter.

Thank You

If you’ve donated to the project…

Attended a screening…

Visited an exhibition…

Read an essay…

Shared a post…

Bought a book…

Sent an encouraging email…

Or simply told a friend about Harlem in Havana….

Thank you!

Truly.

You’re helping restore a chapter of history that almost disappeared. So, thank you for pulling back the curtain with me.

The lights are dimming.

The orchestra is warming up.

The costumes are sparkling.

And trust me… The show is just getting started.

With love,

Leslie Cunningham ( Filmmaker, Cultural Storyteller, Founder of Harlem in Havana®)

Leslie Cunningham, the creative force behind The Harlem in Havana Project, premiered a dazzling culmination of a decade-long journey with the Brown Skin Showgirls Weekend, a celebration of Black Burlesque History that took place in Atlanta, Georgia during Black History Month 2024.

Cunningham’s odyssey into the heart of American entertainment history began over a decade ago with the launch of The Harlem in Havana Project, a captivating exploration of her family’s extraordinary Black and Cuban entertainment legacy. As the granddaughter of legendary African American impresario Leon Claxton, Cunningham meticulously crafted a multimedia documentary project that pays homage to her grandfather and one of America’s most triumphant traveling girl shows.

The project’s centerpiece, the documentary film “JIG SHOW | Leon Claxton’s Harlem in Havana,” unveils the untold stories of the groundbreaking Harlem in Havana Revue, defying the odds and leaving an indelible mark on Black entertainment during the era of Jim Crow.

Also chronicling the life and lore of famed Tampa showman Leon Claxton, the educational film features exclusive interviews with past performers and patrons, never-before-digitized show photographs, and captivating historical clips that celebrate the legacy of Harlem in Havana, and urges descendants of African and Cuban-Americans to embrace their past.

The decision by Cunningham to circumvent traditional festival circuits and streaming services marks a pivotal moment in film history. Now, viewers worldwide can access this essential piece of our cultural heritage at absolutely no cost. This unprecedented move ensures that the film’s profound significance reaches every corner of the globe without barriers or restrictions, emphasizing the importance of its message. Watch the film now.

Brown Skin Showgirls Weekend + The Leslie Cunningham Burlesque Education Scholarship

The Brown Skin Showgirls Weekend, held in Atlanta, GA, marked the grand finale of The Harlem in Havana multimedia documentary work, shining a spotlight on elegance, empowerment, and the mesmerizing world of Black Burlesque. Produced in collaboration with The Atlanta School of Burlesque and Black Burlesque Atlanta, the electrifying weekend featured spectacular shows, riveting films, and an immersive dive into the richness of Black Burlesque History.

Highlighting the event was the announcement of The Atlanta School of Burlesque: Leslie Cunningham Burlesque Education Scholarship, aimed at removing financial barriers and nurturing the artistic talents of promising Black performers. Administered by The Atlanta School of Burlesque, the scholarship will directly impact the lives of talented Black burlesque dancers by providing them with the tools and resources they need to flourish.

Roula, the founder and owner of the school says, “We envision a future where burlesque represents a vibrant microcosm of diversity and inclusion, and where artistic opportunities are accessible to all, regardless of their background.”

All donations from the Brown Skin Showgirls Weekend events supported the scholarship, reflecting Cunningham’s commitment to fostering the next generation of burlesque artists, a few who have already been selected as recipients of the scholarship. “Although I’ve officially completed the documentary project, I will continue to educate audiences about Harlem in Havana to ensure this incredible American entertainment legacy is remembered,” says Leslie Cunningham. “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported me on this amazing journey.”

For more information about The Harlem in Havana Project and upcoming events, visit harleminhavana.com.

To stay updated on Leslie Cunningham’s future projects, visit Lesliecunninghamfilms.com

About Leslie Cunningham:

Leslie Cunningham is a visionary artist and filmmaker dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich heritage of Black and Latin entertainment. As the granddaughter of legendary African American impresario Leon Claxton, Cunningham’s work reflects a deep passion for storytelling and cultural preservation. Through The Harlem in Havana Project, she invites audiences to embark on a mesmerizing journey into the heart of American entertainment history. Learn more.

About The Harlem in Havana Project:

The Harlem in Havana Project is a captivating exploration of one of America’s most triumphant traveling girl shows, paying homage to the legacy of producer Leon Claxton and the groundbreaking Harlem in Havana Revue. Through a multimedia documentary project, featuring the film “JIG SHOW | Leon Claxton’s Harlem in Havana,” Cunningham invites audiences to delve into the complexities of American entertainment, race history, and family.