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Celebrate Black History with Village Preservation’s Public Programs, Past and Present

Greenwich Village has long been a hub of creativity, activism, and cultural exchange, and its Black history is deeply woven into the neighborhood’s identity. From the early days of New York City’s African American communities to the Civil Rights Movement and beyond, Black residents have shaped the social, artistic, and political fabric of the Village.

Hosting over 80 programs annually, nearly all of which are free and open to the public, Village Preservation highlights this important part of the neighborhood’s heritage and history during Black History Month, and throughout the year.

Abyssinian Baptist Church in Greenwich Village

The majority of these programs are recorded and available to watch for free on Village Preservation’s YouTube channel. These programs cover all facets of Black history and culture in our neighborhoods.

Black history in Greenwich Village has its roots as far back as the time of New York’s founding by the Dutch as New Amsterdam. This period was explored in the program “Spaces of Enslavement: A History of Slavery and Resistance in Dutch New York.”

During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Greenwich Village was home to a significant free Black population. One of the most notable early settlements was “Little Africa,” centered around present-day Minetta Street and Minetta Lane. This vibrant community included Black-owned businesses, churches, and social institutions. Past programs on “Little Africa” have included:

Within “Little Africa” was the African Grove Theatre, established by William Alexander Brown in 1821, the first Black-owned theater company in the United States that laid the foundation for future Black performance spaces. Founded in 1808, in 1860 the Abyssinian Baptist Church moved to Greenwich Village’s “Little Africa” neighborhood, finding a home in a church building on Waverly Place. Over the following decades the congregation grew to become a significant actor in New York’s African American religious and cultural life.

Former “Colored” School No. 4 Building at 128 West 17th Street

The legacy of “Little Africa” also remains visible nearby with the preservation of structures such as the former “Colored” School No. 4. Hidden in plain sight, the unassuming building is a reminder of the city’s more than century-old racial-caste public school system, born of the late 18th-century African Free School. Watch the following programs to explore more:

Greenwich Village played a crucial role in the fight for racial justice. The neighborhood was home to influential figures such as James Baldwin, whose writings on race and identity remain essential today. Additionally, the NAACP was headquartered in Greenwich Village at 70 Fifth Avenue, as the area served as a gathering place for civil rights activists in the early 20th century. During mid-to-late 20th century, Black artists, writers, and musicians helped define the era’s countercultural movements while advocating for social change. Explore the Black literary legacy of the Village with:

New York City in the 1980s witnessed the establishment of several organizations founded by and for Black gay men. Among these organizations were two writing groups, the Blackheart Collective and Other Countries, both with ties to Greenwich Village. You can learn more about this important period in LGBTQIA+ history by watching “To Be Heard In Print: Black Gay Writers in 1980s New York.”

James Baldwin

The Village has been a creative haven for Black artists and intellectuals. Writers like Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes spent time in the area, engaging in literary and political debates. Jazz legends such as Thelonious Monk and Charles Mingus played in storied Village clubs, contributing to the neighborhood’s reputation as a center for artistic innovation. In addition to public programs, Village Preservation also recognized Black history and heritage in the neighborhood with its Historic Plaque Program. Many of the unveiling ceremonies have been recorded and can also be watched on YouTube. Some the individuals and locations recognized with plaques include:

Plaque placed at 81 Horatio Street, former James Baldwin residence

As we reflect on the profound impact of Black residents in Greenwich Village, it is essential to continue preserving these stories and advocating for their recognition. Village Preservation and other local organizations continue to work to make sure the contributions of Black artists, activists, and community leaders remain an integral part of the Village’s living history.

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