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Thousands of music lovers joined Council Member Kevin C. Riley and Irie Jam Radio to celebrate the street naming ceremony and block party for Earl Moodie’a Way on the corner of 225th Street and White Plains Road. The celebration is a powerful and joyful celebration in honor of Earl Moodie Sr. who was an international artist and entrepreneur. He was the lead singer of the reggae band The Stepping Stones. The designating of the intersection as Earl Moodie’s Way is in honor of his contribution to his music and business in the community.

Council Member Kevin C. Riley posing with reggae station Iris Jam Radio 97.1 FM HD3 Host Syntyche Clark

On May 24th, crowds of local leaders, community organizations, and local businesses came together to celebrate the legendary Black-owned record store Moodie’s Record located at 3976 White Plains Road. Moodie’s Record Store was one of the first Black-Owned Businesses on White Plains Road in the Bronx bridging community and culture together.

Earl Moodie Sr. died in September 2021 at the age of 69. Originally born in the Papine area of Kingston, Jamaica, he relocated to the United States in 1969. He was originally a salesman at Brad’s Records, another record store on White Plains Road, in the 1970s. In the early 1980’s he opened up his own record store and the rest is history. The store is still standing strong 44 years later originally opening in 1982.

Joining reggae station Irie Jam Radio 97.1 FM HD3 Council Member Riley, spoke to DJ Madout and Host Syntyche Clark (IG@syntycheclarke) on the meaning behind the event to the Black community. When Speaking to Riley, she spoke on the importance of Moodie’s Record to the Council Member, “As a youth, you went to Moodies’ Records, and that seed was planted and now you planting a seed in someone’s life.” said Clarke.

“I remember when my father used to take me to Moodie’s as a kid, and I used to listen to records and that’s how I developed my love for music. I brought pictures of me at the age of three at Moodie’s and it is a full circle moment because I’m here with my three-year-old son,” said Riley. “I am a big music lover,” he said

Council Member Kevin C. Riley holding up photos of himself at three inside Moodie’s Record Store when his father used to take him.

The event was also a community outreach effort, with organizations like The Mosholu Preservation Corporation and social service organizations like the Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New York handing out local resources and information to the community. Riley’s team was also getting members to participate in a community survey for a neighborhood plan for White Plains Road.

“The neighborhood plan would support small businesses and improve public safety and quality of life issues on White Plains Road said Riley. “This plan is an 18-24-month process and the survey would see what the community would like to see and what conversations would like to have about the community,” he said.

Clarke added to Riley’s community effort saying, “What I love about White Plains Road, is the fabric of this block is small businesses. Yes, we have our corporate big boys, but we have our local businesses like the hair salons, the bodegas, boutiques, and bakeries, like Champion Bakery.” she said. Champion Bakery is a Jamaican Bakery located at 3978 White Plains Road
that wide array of Jamaican pastries & cakes, plus breads & beef patties.

The event had a special appearance of members from the Moodie Family, which included his two daughters Anissa Moodie and Chavonne Moodie, and his son Daniel Moodie. They each took a moment on their father’s legacy in the Jamaican community in the Bronx.

Irie Jam Radio 97.1 FM HD3 Host Syntyche Clark and DJ Madout with Earl Moodie Sr. with his  two daughters Anissa Moodie and Chavonne Moodie

“Today can be expressed in one word: Legacy,” said Anissa. “Today is the celebration of the combination of work over decades on his passion, which was music. This was something he was completely passionate about,” she said when speaking to Reporter Nova. M. Bajamonti (IG@novambajamonti) of BronxNet.

“My dad was an icon,” said Daniel, who also took a moment to speak to BronxNet. “He was an icon of the people and was always there when you needed a shoulder to lean on. He was a therapist and a psychiatrist. It is a wonderful feeling.” he said.

When speaking to Irie Jam, daughter Chayonne, expressed her feelings on the event, “Our Dad for us is much bigger than us.” said Chayonne. ”We look at Mr. Moodie like he was our dad, but he was everyone’s dad. He was a friend, an educator, a father, and a brother. There was nowhere people couldn’t talk to him. Some people would be in Moodie’s to two in the morning talking with him” she said.

“Moodies has the culture!” said Bishop Franklyn Williamson of the 16th Pastoral Leadership. When speaking to BronxNet, he explained the importance of Moodie’s to the community, “There was no internet and no streaming. So, you had to go to Moodie’s for the cassettes, the VHS and dance videos.” he said.

At 2:12 PM, Council Member Riley officially pulled the cover off the street sign and White Plains Road and East 225th Street was officially named Earl Moodie Way. Other elected officials in attendance were Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson.

The block party continues into the evening to 6 PM with live music and free Jamaican food such as stew chicken, jerk chicken, curry chicken and rice and peas given out to attendees. Clarke took a moment herself and expressed what today meant to her and the legacy of Earl Moodie Way. “This is a community imitative.” said Clarke.” We want to honor his legacy, and what he did for this community. Moodie’s was a ticket. He was instrumental to reggae music and the dancehall culture.”

Photo Credit: Sherica Daley