While We Are Still Here Historical Markers

By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 19, 2025

Ethel Waters Marker - wide view

GEOGRAPHIC SORTTitle SortMarker Number SortMarker Number Sort for TrailsPublication Order Sort Publication Order Sort AErected Year SortMost Viewed SortMost Recent-Interest SortMost Recently Changed SortSEE FAQ #33 FOR DESCRIPTIONS

1 ► New York, New York County, Manhattan, Central Harlem — Ethel Waters — 580 St. Nicholas Av —

On Saint Nicholas Avenue at West 139th Street, on the right when traveling north on Saint Nicholas Avenue.

Renowned star of the stage and screen, nominated for an Oscar and Emmy, Waters enjoyed an illustrious career — — Map (db m279200) HM

2 ► New York, New York County, Manhattan, Central Harlem — Lenox Lounge — 288 Lenox Avenue — While We Are Still Here —

On Lenox Avenue north of West 199th Street, on the right when traveling north.

For over 80 years, Lenox Lounge was an exemplar of Art Deco design. This neighborhood bar presented top jazz musicians. — — Map (db m315134) HM

3 ► New York, New York County, Manhattan, Central Harlem — Lewis Michaux — While We Are Still Here —

On Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard at W 126th Street, on the right when traveling north on Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard.

2107 7th Ave from 1939-74, the National Memorial African Bookstore sold titles from the Diaspora and was a hub of activism. — — Map (db m279294) HM

4 ► New York, New York County, Manhattan, Central Harlem — Pauli Murray — 225 W. 110th St —

On W 110th Street east of Central Park West, on the right when traveling west.

Her legal strategies helped dismantle segregation and advance women's rights. She was also a poet and priest. — — Map (db m279234) HM

5 ► New York, New York County, Manhattan, Hamilton Heights — Dorothy Maynor —

On Saint Nicholas Avenue north of West 141st Street, on the right when traveling south.

In 1964, the highly regarded African American opera singer founded the Harlem School of the Arts, offering affordable lessons to community children. — — Map (db m279197) HM

6 ► New York, New York County, Manhattan, Morningside Heights — The Lenape Nation —

On West 125th Street at Broadway, on the right when traveling north on West 125th Street.

Honoring the generations of indigenous people who cared for the lands and waters upon which Harlem is situated. — — Map (db m279349) HM

7 ► New York, New York County, Manhattan, West Harlem — Blumstein —

On West 125th Street, on the right when traveling east.

In 1934, the "Don't buy where you can't work" protest, organized by activists and clercy, resulted in 34 Black hires. — — Map (db m279320) HM

8 ► New York, New York County, Manhattan, West Harlem — Hotel Theresa —

On Adam Clayton Powell Junior Boulevard north of West 124th Street, on the left when traveling north.

Internationally known "movers and shakers," such as Josephine Baker and Fidel Castro stayed here. Was also the site of Malcolm X's OAAU. — — Map (db m278446) HM

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9 ► New York, New York County, Manhattan, West Harlem — Nelson Mandela —

On West 125th Street, on the right when traveling west.

After he was freed from prison, Mandela was given a statesman's welcome on June 12, 1990, at this site, by the people of Harlem. — — Map (db m279281) HM

10 ► New York, New York County, Manhattan, West Harlem — UNIA — 2395 8th Av/FD Blvd — While We Are Still Here —

On Frederick Douglass Boulevard south of West 129th Street, on the right when traveling south.

Site of Marcus Garvey Meeting Hall. Named for the founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Assoc. who fostered Black pride. — — Map (db m283656) HM

11 ► New York, New York County, Manhattan, West Harlem — Yuri Kochiyama —

On West 126th Street south of Broadway, on the left when traveling north.

She helped garner reparations from the U.S. for Japanese Americans held in U.S. concentration camps during WWII. She was a friend of Malcolm X. — — Map (db m279215) HM

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