NYC's Most Sought After Tour Guide | Lady Altovise | Tour Guide, Performer, and Historian

Lady Altovise is a one-woman show...in the best way possible. A licensed NYC tour guide, she brings Harlem history to life with the energy of a Broadway performance and the heart of a lifelong storyteller. Lady Altovise shares how her background in theater and dance helps her keep Black history vibrant, why tourists and locals alike need to experience Harlem on foot, and what it means to be a “lady” in today’s world. She also opens up about being a single mom, a dreamer, and the woman with the audacity to want it all. From the Underground Railroad to gospel music, she’s preserving the past while building her dream future. Chapters: 00:00 Why she became a NYC tour guide 01:20 Surprising truths about slavery in New York 03:00 From theater to tourism: how she found her calling 05:00 Turning history into a full-body experience 07:10 Studying Broadway legends at Lincoln Center 09:15 Why Harlem history matters now more than ever 11:00 What it means to be a powerful lady 13:00 Being a mom, artist, and entrepreneur 15:20 Surviving the pandemic as a performer 17:00 Creating her own tour company 18:30 Finding joy in storytelling and service 20:00 The dream gig she’s manifesting now 21:45 What visitors get wrong about NYC 23:15 Advice for playing tourist in your own city 25:00 Her gospel tour and preserving culture through music 27:15 What’s next for Lady Altovise The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms. Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think. Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices