The Harlem Neighborhood Block Association

Neighbors united to improve the quality of life in Harlem

Tag: National Black Theater

National Night Out 2022

Posted on by Harlem Shill

The ever-amazing Kioka Jackson is asking for help with this year’s National Night Out on Tuesday, August 2nd:

I hope everyone has had an amazing start to summer.  I know a lot has been going on around the country and within our own backyards but It is my hope that as a community we can share as much love as we can to overpower the negative things that we are experiencing.  

As many of you are aware, National Night Out is quickly approaching. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community relationships/partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie with effort to make our neighborhoods safer.  The goal is for the community to engage with the law enforcement in our community in a more light-hearted; fun way to build relationships outside of emergency purposes.  Every Precinct around the Nation does this on the same night.  We use fun festive activities, food and music to come together as one community.  This year National Night Out is on August 2nd.  We are hosting it right in front of the Precinct on East 119th Street between Park and Lexington Avenues.

We are asking our Community Based Organizations, Businesses, Retail stores, and Elected Officials to assist us in putting on a great party for that evening.  Because of the Pandemic we have not done any fundraising activities so we really need everyone to partner with us.  

  • If your organization wants to table please contact us.  We welcome you to come bring information about your org but we are asking that you put together a fun activity to be done at your table too.  A game, arts and crafts, etc…. 
  • If you are willing to donate either something in-kind or monetary to help us produce this event – please contact us.  
  • If you are coming to be a guest to just shake a leg with us – we need you too.  You can also help us by sharing the flyer and telling your neighbors to come out and hang with us.

I will be reaching out to many individually as well so don’t block me.  LOL! We need you. We appreciate you and we look forward to working with you to make National Night Out a blast. 

I have attached the flyer for your perusal.  Sponsorship logos will be updated. 

Have a great day all!

Kioka Jackson: koco922

National Black Theater Building Back on Track?

The National Black Theater’s redevelopment has been a tale of false starts, missed deadlines, and likely financing/development drama.

There seems to be some life in the building site, again. We’ll have to wait and see, whether or not construction will begin. And, as we all know, it isn’t over until the building is occupied.

HNBA November Meeting, Tomorrow (Tuesday) at 7:00 PM

Posted on by Harlem Shill

Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 9th. at 7:00 PM HNBA will welcome Michael Lythcott attend to explain the new National Black Theater building project that will replace the former building on 5th Avenue between 125/126.

This large new cultural center and residence will be a major landmark in our community. Learn more about the project, the theater, the residences, and much, much more.

(Note that Michael had been unable to attend an earlier HNBA meeting due to a scheduling conflict but is now excited about presenting the project to us on November 9th)

In addition to the National Black Theater, we will also have representatives from the NYC Department of Health’s Rat team who will talk about how we can all best deal with the rats who’ve also been profoundly impacted by changes stemming from our behavior during COVID, as well as the recent storms/flooding.

Lastly, we’ll have representatives from  Chelton Loft, which is located on East 126th Street between Park and Lex. They serve people with mental illness and run a strong program that includes wellness classes, job placement and cooking vegetables from our farmers market.

It’s a great lineup, and we hope to see you there. If you’d like to attend, make sure to subscribe to this newsletter:

Subscribe to this Harlem newsletter!

And we’ll email you the Zoom link.

Harlem 125

New Look For the National Black Theater

Posted on by Harlem Shill

The National Black Theatre’s site will look very, very different by 2024 when the new building is expected to be finished.

The NBT will occupy the first four floors of the building with over 200 residential units above. The architect, Frida Escobedo is working with Handel Architects who is behind the Sendero Verde project (currently being built between Madison/Park and 111/112 in East Harlem).

The ground floor of the new NBT building will be a “community gathering space”.

The building will total 21 stories and be called “The Ray”, with mostly studios, one and two bedrooms, home office and junior bedroom options, flexible spaces, and some affordable units.

The developer has indicated they would also incorporate an Artist Housing Initiative with housing for local artists and creatives. The rooftop will include a community kitchen and terrace.

Ray Harlem will be located at 2033 National Black Theatre Way on Fifth Avenue between125/126th Streets.

Commander John J. Shea Memorial Building

Commander John J. Shea won, posthumously, the Navy Cross:

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander John J. Shea (NSN: 0-54106), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving on board the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. WASP (CV-7), during operations in the Solomon Islands on 15 September 1942. Lieutenant Commander Shea directed the fight against fires on the flight deck of the U.S.S. WASP, after the carrier had been crippled by the Japanese bombing attack which later caused her to sink. Lieutenant Commander Shea disregarded the danger from the fires, flying debris, and exploding ammunition to carry on his fight. When the water pressure failed, he employed chemical fire-fighting equipment in a desperate effort to extinguish a fire in a ready ammunition locker, and was leading out a fire hose to continue his efforts when a terrific explosion occurred. He was not subsequently seen by his shipmates. The conduct of Lieutenant Commander Shea throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Commander Shea is also memorialized in a building on East 111th Street

Which was built in 1943, and whose cornerstone was designed to look like the posthumous navy cross medal that Commander Shea was awarded.

November 9th – HNBA Monthly Meeting

Posted on by Harlem Shill

Hello Harlem Neighbors, mark your calendar for 7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 9th. HNBA will have Michael Lythcott attend to explain the new National Black Theater building project that will replace the former building on 5th Avenue between 125/126.

This large new cultural center and residence will be a major landmark in our community. Learn more about the project, the theater, the residences, and much, much more.

(Note that Michael had been unable to attend an earlier HNBA meeting due to a scheduling conflict but is now excited about presenting the project to us on November 9th)

In addition to the National Black Theater, we will also have representatives from the NYC Department of Health’s Rat team who will talk about how we can all best deal with the rats who’ve also been profoundly impacted by changes stemming from our behavior during COVID, as well as the recent storms/flooding.

Lastly, we’ll have representatives from  Chelton Loft, which is located on East 126th Street between Park and Lex. They serve people with mental illness and run a strong program that includes wellness classes, job placement and cooking vegetables from our farmers market.

It’s a great lineup, and we hope to see you there. If you’d like to attend, make sure to subscribe to this newsletter:

Subscribe to this Harlem newsletter!

And we’ll email you the Zoom link.

HNBA Meeting Tonight at 7:00

Posted on by Harlem Shill

Join HNBA in learning more about the new building at 125/5th that will house the National Black Theater.

In addition, Mark Levine will swing by to answer any questions you might have for the Democratic nominee to be the next Manhattan Borough President.

Subscribe to HNBA in order to get access to the Zoom link:

Subscribe to this Harlem newsletter!

School Absenteeism

How Calculated: 

The percent of NYC public school students, grades K to 5, who were chronically absent during the 2013-14 school year.

Chronically absent is defined as missing 20 or more school days per year.

Source: New York City Department of Education

32nd Precinct’s Community Council Meetings

HNBA Meeting on Tuesday, October 12th, 7:00 PM

Posted on by Harlem Shill

Join HNBA and learn more about the large new development that the National Black Theater has for 5th Avenue at 125/126 Street.

We’ll hear from the founder’s (Barbara Teer) son who is managing the project.

The Democratic Manhattan Borough President candidate Mark Levine will also swing by our Zoom meeting and answer any questions about what his vision for Harlem in 2022 and beyond, is.

Terrifying Admission by Mayor De Blasio

NBT

Posted on by Harlem Shill

To watch the National Black Theater’s founder, Barbara Ann Teer explain her leveraging real estate to support the arts, see this great clip that shows the $10,000,000 project that is now slated to be torn down and replaced:

Note that Barbara Ann Teer was rejected by 14 banks in her quest for financing this amazing project.

For more on Barbara Ann Teer, see:

Barbara Ann Teer Was Unapologetically Black

A Chef’s Guide to Food and Culture in NYC

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https://www.nycgo.com/my-itinerary/shared/a-chefs-guide-to-food-and-culture-in-nyc

NBT Dedication

Posted on by Harlem Shill

Barbara Ann Teer speaks about the inspiration of her sister in forming and developing the National Black Theater at this groundbreaking dedication clip (click on the chevron pointing right on the text, below) :

And to hear more about the devistating fire that (in part) sparked the rebirth of the National Black Theater, see:

Randall’s Island to Get $1,000,000 (almost) For Improvements

The total of $950,000 recently awarded by Assembly Member Robert Rodriguez, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, and Council Member Diana Ayala will further ongoing efforts by the Randall’s Island Park Alliance, working in partnership with the NYC Parks Department, to restore and develop the Park as one of New York’s premier destinations for sports, recreation and relaxation. The generous support will help realize a vision of Island-wide pathway improvements to better connect visitors with Park resources, a goal set forth in the 2012 RIPA Strategic Plan, developed in collaboration with NYC Parks, the RIPA Board of Trustees, local stakeholders, elected officials, and on-Island agency stakeholders.

Guided by the Strategic Plan, RIPA is undertaking a comprehensive and innovative complex of access improvements to improve connections between the Island’s main bicycle and pedestrian access points and popular destinations including Icahn Stadium, the Park’s many playing fields, and the Urban Farm and adjacent playground. New pathways will also facilitate multimodal travel through better connections between these destinations and the Park’s major parking lots, bus stops, and new Citibike stations.

“I am pleased to contribute funding that will provide increased accessibility to a Park that is an oasis for New Yorkers,” said Robert Rodriguez, New York State Assembly Member. “The contribution will help move this initiative forward, and fosters RIPA’s careful plan that focuses on access improvements alongside sustaining and programming the Island’s resources.”

“Increasing accessibility within the Park by creating Island-wide pathway improvements will better connect New Yorkers with Park resources and RIPA’s free educational and family-friendly programming,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. “Direct access to the Island’s restored natural areas and green space is beneficial for all, and we are glad to contribute to these efforts.”

“Randall’s Island Park is a precious resource for the City of New York, and we are glad that we are able to contribute funding that will accommodate the continuously growing number of visitors and commuters traveling through the Park by foot and bicycle,” said New York City Council Member Diana Ayala.

“For almost 30 years, with the support of the City of New York, the Alliance has spearheaded the restoration and development of the Island. We truly appreciate the continued support of Assembly Member Rodriguez, Borough President Brewer, and Council Member Ayala as they help us achieve our mission to provide equitable access to green space, free educational programming, and world-class facilities to all New Yorkers, especially our neighbors in East Harlem and the South Bronx. Increasing the pathways throughout the Park will contribute to these efforts and benefit the over four million individuals who visit the Island annually,” said Deborah Maher, President of RIPA.

The combined projects build upon decades of public-private partnership to create unprecedented connections that will foster environmental exploration and augment access to recreational facilities and free programming for the millions of New Yorkers who visit each year. In coming years, these connections will foster access to exciting developments including an expanded Sportime Tennis Center, the new Drive Shack golf center, and a central Nature Center hosting RIPA’s many public programs.

Shake Shack + Slutty Vegan = Harlem Week Burger Promotion

Head over to 125/Madison today through August 15th, to order a Slutty Vegan burger at Shake Shack. This limited time offer is a collaboration for Harlem Week

To learn more about the burger and its genesis, see:

https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-slutty-vegan-pinky-cole-harlem-week-shake-shack-partnership-sluttyshack-20210809-k77rtdcx2fayniqfqq2t5purmy-story.html

National Black Theater Confirms Demolition and Redevelopment

Posted on by Harlem Shill
As we say farewell to 2020, we want to update you on the seeds we have planted during a year that has been marked with tremendous transition and proactive fortification of NBT’s future. NBT has recently formulated a plan to ensure our facility is positioned for Harlem’s future, one that will anchor and recapitalize the institution for generations to come—transforming our current home into a 21st century creative laboratory for Black artists in Harlem and a world-class destination for Black culture.

As you have come to experience in our work and programming, NBT’s unique approach to self determination through art, entrepreneurship and place-making are values seeded by NBT’s Founder, Dr. Barbara Ann Teer, further demonstrated when she secured a landmark home for NBT by purchasing the 64,000 square foot city block at 125th and 5th Avenue (named National Black Theatre Way). 

For the past three years with the enthusiasm and support of our community and New York City officials, NBT has been preparing for this historic new building project. Earlier this year on Dr. Teer’s birthday, NBT finalized our redevelopment partnership to formally begin the public facing process of redeveloping the city block Dr. Teer bought in 1986. The new building will help NBT better serve our artists, audience and community in Harlem and around the world. To begin construction on this new building, we must first gradually dismantle the existing structure at 2031-33 Fifth avenue. Beginning mid-December 2020 through April 2021, you will begin to see shifts as we move out of the building, prepare for demolition, say farewell to our current space, and prepare to transform our new home.

During our itinerant phase, NBT’s presence will still be very much felt here in Harlem through ongoing programmatic partnerships with neighboring institutions. Starting next fall 2021, we will partner with the Apollo Theater to utilize their office space and two new flexible performance spaces at the new Victoria. In addition, NBT Beyond Walls and NBT @ HOME, two new programmatic initiatives, will help deepen NBT’s impact by producing continuous and collaborative local, national, and international programming.

Though we acknowledge the emotional weight of closing this incredible chapter in our history, we are embracing a new period of growth in NBT’s life cycle. One where we will continue to have enough. One where we will have what we need to thrive. One where we will work in partnership to manifest our wildest dreams—together! 

We will have more updates to share in the months to come. If you have any specific thoughts or questions about this transition or if you would like to support NBT with a tax deductible donation, please contact [email protected] or visit our website.

Wishing you a safe, healthy and joy filled holiday season,

Sade Lythcott,
Chief Executive Officer

Property for Sale

Residing on a tree-lined block with homes converted to single family dwellings and condos. The authentic trimmings from 1900 remain intact, presenting an irreplicable charm. 536 West 150th Street connects to Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue in the landmarked national historic district of Hamilton Heights. The up and coming area has tons of services and trendy restaurants. Close to Columbia University, City College, NY Presbyterian-Columbia University Hospital Center, great parks, Yankee Stadium and just one block to the nearest subway, as well as easy access to multiple highways.

Feel free to view and share this google photos link.https://photos.app.goo.gl/fYgPx5kx7y1Yrmnx7

Block / Lot: 02081/0046
Lot Area:1,499 sq ft
Lot Depth:99.92Ft
Estimated Sqft: 3,240
Year Built: 1900
Building Class: C5 		Condition: Needs workNew gas lines all up to code
Rooms: 8Stories: 4
Zoning District: R6-A
Yearly Taxes:  $5,600 (estimated)

Stephanie Tomlin

212 996 2661

[email protected]