Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem; (c) Soul Of America
NYC Cultural Sites
Studio Museum in Harlem
Click above for detail
African Burial Ground Museum
Click above for detail
Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Building and Monument
DESCRIPTION: Tallest building and a stunning monument in Harlem honors U.S. Congressman and Baptist minister Adam Clayton Powell Jr. (1908-1972); Adam and his wife, Hazel Scott, won many legal battles that ended real estate, hotel and arts venue segregation around the nation; more than an office building, a 2nd floor art gallery hosts the International Agency for Minority Artist Affairs’ annual Harlem Week Black Film Festival; the 12-foot bronze sculpture called Higher Ground was dedicated in 2005 by Branly Cadet — it was inspired by a quote from the late leader, “Press forward at all times”
DAYS & HOURS: gallery Mon-Fri 9a-4p
ADDRESS: 163 West Martin Luther King Blvd, New York, NY MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: 2, 3, A, B, C, D lines
PHONE: 212-749-5298
WEBSITE: https://ogs.ny.gov/location/adam-clayton-powell-jr-state-office-building
Apollo Theatre
DESCRIPTION: Built 1914, this world famous theater even made Richard Pryor nervous; considered the Grand Daddy of the Chitlin Circuit for African American performing artists; with the aid of Inner City Broadcasting, this venue returned to the forefront of live and televised entertainment in the 1980s; Wednesday is Amateur Night
DAYS & HOURS: shows usually start at 7:30p
ADDRESS: 253 West Martin Luther King Blvd, New York, NY MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: 2, 3, A, B, C, D lines
PHONE: Box Office 212-531-5305 and 531-5304
WEBSITE: http://www.apollotheater.com
Dance Theatre of Harlem
DESCRIPTION: Arthur Mitchell founded and remains artistic director of one of the world’s premiere ballet companies housed in this multi-million dollar structure; Pre-professional ballet classes available for ages 7-17 as well as Professional ballet classes; open house is the second Sunday of each month
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri daytime
ADDRESS: 466 West 152nd Street, New York, NY MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: C line
PHONE: 212-690-2800
WEBSITE: http://www.dancetheatreofharlem.com
Holcombe Rucker Basketball Court
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1947 by Holcombe Rucker (1926-1965) and home to the Rucker Basketball Tournament; in the 1960s, Rucker transformed his local league into a basketball institution that attracted Wilt Chamberlin, Lew Alcindor, Julius Erving, Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady; in 1993, the park was renovated with better lighting, bleachers and resurfacing of the basketball court
DAYS & HOURS: daily, court is lit at night
ADDRESS: 2930 Frederick douglass Blvd, New York, NY MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: B lines
PHONE: 212-862-2323
WEBSITE: http://www.harlemlive.org/community/parks/ruckerpark
Harlem School of the Arts
DESCRIPTION: In 1965, soprano Dorothy Maynor taught piano in the basement of a community church; since then it has grown into a vibrant award winning school of more than 1,000 students who hone their performing arts skills; the in-house theater seats 200; many Broadway actors and dancers are alumni
DAYS & HOURS: classes Mon-Fri 2:30p–8p, Sat 9a–8p
ADDRESS: 645 St. Nicholas Avenue, New York, NY MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: A, B, C, D lines
PHONE: 212-926-4100
WEBSITE: http://www.harlemschoolofthearts.org
Frank Silvera Writers Workshop
DESCRIPTION: Founded 1973 by Morgan Freeman in honor of Frank Silvera, a nurturer of many African American writers; check the schedule for seminars on playwriting, screen writing and play critiques; many new works which tour nationally are developed here; moved to the same building at Harlem School for the Arts
DAYS & HOURS: by appt
ADDRESS: 645 St. Nicholas Avenue, New York, NY MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: A, B, C, D lines
PHONE: 212-281-8832
WEBSITE: http://www.fsww.org
Countee Cullen Library, Harlem; (c) Soul Of America
Countee Cullen Library
DESCRIPTION: Honors one of the most famous poets of the Harlem Renaissance, Countee Cullen (1903-1946); built at the former site of Madame C.J. Walker’s home, the hair care products maker and the 1st Black millionaire; library contains extensive collection of Africana children’s books
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Thu 10a-8p, Fri-Sat 10a-5p, Sun Noon-5p
ADDRESS: 104 West 136th Street, New York, NY MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: 2, 3 lines
PHONE: 212-491-2070
WEBSITE: http://www.nypl.org/branch
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
DESCRIPTION: Arturo Schomburg (1874-1938) founded the largest library of African American and African Caribbean culture and history; notable collections of Harlem Renaissance artists can be seen at every turn within the center; similar to Carter G Woodson, Schomburg was motivated to overcome the lack of information about Black history and culture; includes a small gift shop
DAYS & HOURS: Research Dept Mon-Wed 12a-8p; Thu-Sat 10a-6p
ADDRESS: 515 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, NY MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: 2, 3 lines
PHONE: 212-491-2200
WEBSITE: http://www.nypl.org/research/sc
Magic Johnson Theater
DESCRIPTION: Following in the legacy of Oscar Micheaux, Magic Johnson provides a 9-screen venue to Harlem residents; under his leadership as the anchor tenant of Harlem USA, the retail complex includes several big name retailers; since the merger between Sony-Loews and Cineplex Odeon
DAYS & HOURS: daily after 11:30a
ADDRESS: 2309 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: A, B, C, D lines
PHONE: 800-326-3264
WEBSITE: tickets
National Black Theater
DESCRIPTION: Founded 1968 by Dr. Barbara Ann Teer (1937-2008); the 60,000 square foot cultural institution features live theatre with seating for 140, communication arts, and entrepreneurial arts; National Black Theater plays have won 35 AUDELCO awards for excellence, including its seminal work, The Legacy
DAYS & HOURS: by appt
ADDRESS: 2033 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: 2, 3 Metro lines and Danbury, Harlem, Hudson, New Canaan and New Haven commuter lines
PHONE: 212-722-3800
WEBSITE: http://www.nationalblacktheatre.org
Duke Ellington Statue
DESCRIPTION: Dedicated in 1994 to Edward K “Duke” Ellington (1899-1974), this 20-foot statue caused a stir due to its sexist depiction of women under the Duke’s feet, though well intentioned by Bobby Short, who helped raise funds for the statue by artist Robert Graham
ADDRESS: Fifth Avenue and 110th Street in Frawley Circle, New York, NY MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: 2, 3 lines
WEBSITE: http://www.dukeellington.com
The River with choreography by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; credit Paul Kolnik/NYC & Company
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
DESCRIPTION: The roots of this fabled dance troupe and school began with a 1958 seminal performance by Alvin Ailey (1931-1989); today the esteemed Judith Jamison continues as artistic director for a troupe that travels the world many times over from January-November; you can only catch them performing in New York during December; a fount of creative expression and consistent with Ailey’s vision, the dance troupe has performed more than 200 works by over 70 choreographers; the school more than 100 ballet and modern jazz classes a week
DAYS & HOURS: school tours on Monday 1:30p, Friday Noon and by reservation
ADDRESS: 405 West 55th Street, New York, NY MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: 1, A, B, C, D lines
PHONE: tours 212-405-9020
WEBSITE: http://www.alvinailey.org
Essence Communications
DESCRIPTION: Founded 1969, Essence is a monthly magazine of enlightenment and empowerment for African American women; it features Editor-in-Chief Susan Taylor
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri by appt
ADDRESS: Time Warner Center at 10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: 1, A, B, C, D lines
WEBSITE: http://www.essence.com
Bad Boy Entertainment
DESCRIPTION: Founded by Sean Combs in 1993, the company reached $300 million annual revenue in 2005 before selling to Time-Warner
DAYS & HOURS: by appt
ADDRESS: 1710 Broadway, New York, NY MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: B, D, E lines
WEBSITE: http://www.badboyonline.com
Caribbean Cultural Center
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1976, its an important center for sharing art, entertainment and religious philosophies among diverse interests in the African Diaspora of the Caribbean; gift shop has handmade jewelry, crafts, books from the African Diaspora; call for special events/exhibit schedule; also features bead working, informative lectures and dance parties
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 10a-6p
ADDRESS: 408 West 58th Street, New York, NY MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: 1, A, B, C, D lines
PHONE: 212-307-7420
WEBSITE: http://www.cccadi.org
Black Filmmakers Foundation
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1978, this non-profit agency sponsors the annual American Black Film Festival; it is also the largest distributor of independent black films and videos in America
DAYS & HOURS: a research visit can be scheduled
ADDRESS: 670 Broadway, Suite 304, New York, NY MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: 6 line
PHONE: 212-253-1690
WEBSITE: http://www.dvrepublic.org
Black Enterprise
DESCRIPTION: Founded by Earl G. Graves in 1970, this monthly magazine is the power tool for African American business readers; its annual Black Enterprise 100s edition is the yardstick that measures results of black business in America
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri by appt
ADDRESS: 130 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: R, W lines
PHONE: 212-242-8000
WEBSITE: http://www.blackenterprise.com