A wonderful photo of Lenox Avenue, north of 132nd Street in the 1930's - the heart of Black Harlem:

Note the streetcars going up/down Lenox where the median and plantings now are.  The area immediately to the right is where the McDonalds is located, and Lenox Terrace replaced all the businesses and buildings on the right-hand side.

It's hard to see, but the old domed entrances to the subway at 135, are just visible below:

Art as Local History

by Kaila Boule

When Harlem residents walk past the mural of Helene Nomsa Brath on 125th Street and Madison Avenue, they are not just viewing art; they are witnessing an embodiment of a woman who has accomplished much in Harlem. The mural, affectionately known as Nomsa, features a black female face encased in the continent of Africa. As passersby gaze upon the painting, they are reminded of the numerous quiet Harlem stories Nomsa represents.

Ironically, the mural stands yards away from where Nomsa's history as a public figure began. On January 28, 1962, a then-unmarried Helene White debuted as a Grandassa Model at the Purple Manor, located directly across the street from the mural. This event marked the premiere of the African Jazz Art Society Studio's (AJASS) first Naturally Show, showcasing the beautiful and natural style of the Grandassa Models and launching the Black is Beautiful Movement. The Purple Manor, where Helene Nomsa Brath debuted as a Grandassa Model, was located at 65 East 125th Street. Her mural now stands directly across the street, at 69 East 125th Street. It may be a coincidence that Uptown Grand Central, an East Harlem nonprofit organization, selected this location for 320 Arts to create the mural, or perhaps it is a deliberate nod to her legacy. Regardless, Helene Nomsa Brath's impact is undeniable. As one of the founding eight Grandassa Models, she helped establish the black aesthetic of natural hair, popularizing the afro as a standard symbol of beauty in the community during the 1960s and 1970s.

Nomsa is no stranger to community recognition. In 2015, the Riverside Club awarded her Woman of the Year. In 2017, Harlem Councilman Bill Perkins presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Citation from

the City Council. Her walls are lined with awards from organizations, and she has been recognized by political leaders. However, her most incredible honor is yet to come. On September 28th, Harlem Councilman Yusef Salaam will bestow upon her a street name in her honor on 112th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard.

According to the United Federation of Teachers, Nomsa’s advocacy around asbestos activism has saved hundreds of children’s lives. As head of the Parents Teachers Association, she led efforts to close Harlem schools containing asbestos and raised funds to bring special equipment for testing. Her efforts are well-documented in books like Not in Our Backyards and No Safe Place. Nomsa also co-founded Mother Love, an all-female cadre of activists who believed in the innocence of the Central Park Five.

Nomsa's defense of the Exonerated Five was vigorous, and her efforts were instrumental in proving their innocence. The award-winning Netflix miniseries When They See Us tells part of the story, but Nomsa's unbreakable witness testimony, cited in The Central Park Five: A Chronicle of a City Wilding, remains a testament to her unwavering commitment. As we reflect on great change-makers and activists who came together, such as Helene Nomsa, Brath, and International Women’s Workers of Mother Love, we realize the importance of documenting their stories. Murals like Nomsa's serve as powerful reminders of our history and the impact of unsung heroes.

In addition, this great lady of Harlem has a school named after her based on her Harlem Work Home - HELENE NOMSA BRATH STEM SCHOOL (edu.na)

Vote for Wekeza

Dear Harlem neighbors,

I hope you are doing well.

While we may not know each other personally, I'm reaching out to request your support.

My company, Wekeza, is a finalist in Pharrell Williams' prestigious Black Ambition Prize! We're competing for up to $1 million to advance our mission of multilingual family financial education and global access to making wealth-building accessible to all, especially underserved communities.

Wekeza means 'save' and 'invest' in Swahili.

Here's how you can help in just 15 seconds:

Click this link:  https://platform.younoodle.com/competition/black_ambition_prize_competition_2024/public-vote/award

Please vote for WEKEZA!

Wekeza film: https://youtu.be/AfLE-oE7Xx8?si=huiIK3naq9mdjfPr

Best regards,

Sabrina Lamb

P.S. Curious about the Black Ambition Prize? Founded by Pharrell Williams in 2020, it supports bold ideas from Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs. Learn more: blackambitionprize.com and https://www.Wekeza.com