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 —

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 — Lewis Michaux — While We Are Still Here —

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

3 ► New York, New York County, Manhattan, Central Harlem — Pauli Murray —

225 W. 110th St Her legal strategies helped dismantle segregation and advance women's rights. She was also a poet and priest. — — Map (db m279234) HM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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