Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem; (c) Soul Of America
NYC Cultural Sites
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
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</strong/>
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
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
