Ewing and Carroll in Trenton in Mercer County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Playwright and Poet Ntozake Shange
Photographed by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail
1. Playwright and Poet Ntozake Shange Marker
Ntozake Shange (1948-2018) was a renowned Black revolutionary poet, feminist, playwright, essayist, and novelist whose work transformed literature and theater in the United States. She grew up at 626 Perry Street in Trenton, where her parents, Dr. Paul and Eloise Williams, hosted W.E.B. DuBois, Paul Robeson, and other notable Black activists. Her father used their home as a free medical clinic on Sundays, providing care for their neighbors. Her groundbreaking choreopoem, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf, was the second play written by a Black woman to appear on Broadway.
Erected 2026 by New Jersey Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2024.A.15.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1948.
Location. 40° 13.535′ N, 74° 45.218′ W. Marker is in Trenton, New Jersey, in Mercer County. It is in Ewing and Carroll. It is on North Clinton Avenue near Perry Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Central Jersey and in Greater Princeton. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Rider College (approx. 0.4 miles away); Mercer Cemetery at Trenton (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Mercer Cemetery at Trenton (approx. 0.4 miles away); Delaware and Raritan Canal (approx. 0.4 miles away); Firemens Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Trenton.
Other markers no longer nearby. William Young (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Ira Wells Wood (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Capt. Joseph A. Yard (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing);
Photographed by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail, June 11, 2026
2. Playwright and Poet Ntozake Shange Marker Unveiling Ceremony
On June 11, 2026 the New Jersey Historical Commission unveiled a marker honoring Ntozake Shange (1948-2018), a renowned Black revolutionary poet, feminist, playwright, essayist, and novelist whose work transformed literature and theater in the United States.
Also see . . . Official legacy site of playwright, poet, author and activist Ntozake Shange. (Submitted on July 29, 2026, by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail of Trenton, New Jersey.)
courtesy of Barnard College
3. Ntozake Shange
Ntozake Shange, Barnard College, Reid Lecture, Women Issues Luncheon, Women's Center, November 1978.
courtesy of Paul Williams
4. Playbill for for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
Photographed by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail
5. Virtual Museum-Ntozake Shange
courtesy of Barnard Library Archives and Special Collections.
6. Ntozake Shange (in yellow) with fellow dancers.
Photographed by Paul Williams
7. Ntozake Shanges childhood home at 626 Perry St. Trenton, New Jersey.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2026, by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail of Trenton, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 29, 2026, by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail of Trenton, New Jersey. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Verification of the geocoordinates of the marker • Can you help?
