Harlem author raises concerns over alleged reuse of her work documenting Richard “Fritz” Simmons—and the growing role of AI.

Harlem author and publisher Tiffany Simone Fulton, professionally known as Harlem Holiday, is calling for accountability over what she describes as the unauthorized use of material connected to her book, The Harlem Plug: The Richard “Fritz” Simmons Story.

Through Exhibits A–C, Fulton outlines concerns involving television footage, online content and apparent AI-generated material. At the center is a question: What happens when an independent author’s research and a family’s personal history become content without acknowledgment, permission or compensation?

EXHIBIT A: BET’S OG STORIES

Fulton says her book cover and a personal photograph of the late Richard “Fritz” Simmons, provided to her by his sister Sheila, appeared in the Michelle Smalls “Queen of Harlem” episode of BET’s OG Stories without authorization, attribution or payment.

The series, created and hosted by Damon “Dame” Dash, is associated with his My Paid in Full franchise.

Fulton says she and the Simmons family appreciated Michelle Smalls acknowledging Fritz while sharing her own journey. Her objection concerns the use of the materials.

“Dame Dash calls the franchise My Paid in Full, but Harlem Holiday was not paid, credited or even asked,” Fulton said.

She is seeking acknowledgment and compensation and says she is prepared to pursue legal action if the matter remains unresolved. Her allegations are presented here as her account, rather than findings of a court.

EXHIBIT B: FROM FAMILY HISTORY TO CLICKBAIT

For Fulton, documenting Fritz’s life began with a family’s trust. Sheila approached her and shared memories, photographs and personal history that helped shape the book.

Fulton interviewed people who knew Fritz and traveled to Barbados twice to speak with his right-hand man, Ace. Her purpose, she says, was to document the person behind the reputation and preserve the brother his family remembered.

She alleges that portions of this work subsequently appeared in videos, podcasts, articles and social media posts without proper acknowledgment. Her concerns include material taken from her book, her contribution to Don Diva magazine Issue 60, and photographs and interviews shared through her own channels.

The distinction matters: Fulton’s complaint concerns others allegedly repurposing her published contribution to Don Diva—not an allegation that the magazine took her work.

“This was never clickbait,” Fulton said. “It was his legacy, his family’s truth and a story entrusted to me.”

EXHIBIT C: ARTISTIC PIRACY IN THE AI ERA

Fulton says she has also identified content that appears to use artificial intelligence to recreate or alter Fritz’s likeness and produce audio narratives resembling material documented in The Harlem Plug.

She questions how audiences can distinguish independently researched accounts from AI-assisted retellings that fail to identify their sources. She also raises concerns about the dignity of deceased people whose images and identities are repurposed.

“AI didn’t do the research. I did,” is her message to creators using such tools.

Fulton is calling for clearer standards and stronger protections for authors, photographs, family archives and AI-generated likenesses. She urges producers and digital creators to verify original sources, seek appropriate permission and compensate contributors when their work supports commercial projects.

A CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY

Fulton believes her experience reflects the difficulty independent creators face when challenging larger entertainment companies and widely followed platforms.

Her appeal is direct: recognize the work, respect the family history and address the people whose contributions made the storytelling possible.

The Harlem Plug: The Richard “Fritz” Simmons Story is available in hardcover, paperback, Kindle and audiobook through Amazon, Audible and other major booksellers.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tiffany Simone Fulton, known professionally as Harlem Holiday, is an author, filmmaker and founder of Harlem Westside Publishing LLC. Her work preserves Harlem’s history, culture and community stories.

MEDIA CONTACT
Tiffany Simone Fulton / Harlem Holiday
Harlem Westside Publishing LLC

harlemwestsidepublishinglllc@gmail.com

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