A large part of 145th Street in Harlem soon may be renamed in honor of the late James Brown.
- The Rev. Al Sharpton said Saturday he has met with officials from Community Board 10 about renaming the stretch of street from Lenox Avenue to Broadway “James Brown Way” for the late godfather of soul, who died Dec. 25. The street runs in front of the new headquarters of Sharpton’s activist group, the National Action Network. Sharpton said Yasmin Cornelius, district manager of Community Board 10, approached him after Brown’s death and suggested renaming the street as a tribute to him.
- To the south, 125th Street is named for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The block of 125th Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues, which runs in front of the Apollo Theater, is named “Nat King Cole Way” for that African-American music legend. Other streets in Harlem named to honor famous African-Americans include Malcolm X Boulevard, Frederick Douglass Boulevard and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard.
- A street renaming must be approved by the City Council and the mayor.
Source: Newday
*Reader response: Do you think that 145th should be renamed? Why or why not? Please respond in the comments section.
[This post featured on curbed.com and everythingblack.com]
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Shaiye
May 3, 2007
Realizing that I have never been to Harlem I change my answer from an enthusiactic “Yes Yes as quickly as possible”. We have to realize that yes, James Brown has acheived far and beyond for many members of black society, becase self-esteem is one of the biggest issues we face from behind the minority cloak; However maybe that wouldn’t be the most significant place for a street named after him. I do say that people all over should campaign to see that he has touched many lives, for instance in the areas where black pride is less functional and the unity hasn’t always been so strong.
Flo Williams
January 31, 2007
Please hurry, my next generation is getting old and do not to this day understand that, being a black in America, we only had our history which seems to be repeating itself, and the rhythm in our hearts to be black and proud and a song. Thank u James Brown. From a snot-nose, dark, I am not my hair, child of God.
Hugo
January 9, 2007
While I am a huge fan of James Brown and the legacy he has left modern american history I think it would be unfair to the Harlem community to name 145th street after him.Even though the city has slowed down a bit in the frenzy of renaming streets, this move may be too hasty. I think more careful consideration should go into renaming a street that’s one of Harlem’s main arteries (ie 125th Street, 116th Street) . 145th Street comprises some key historical elements such as the old SugarHill and The Convent Baptist Church. Appropriately, 145th and Convent was renamed to honor the Reverend of the church. These namings have local significance to the people of Harlem and are reminders of the good that has been done for our community. It is more appropriate to name streets after James Brown in his hometown (or in Hollywood for that matter.
Luig
January 8, 2007
What in god’s name did James Brown do for New York City to have a street named after him?
I loved hs music, but just because the right irrelevant Al Sharpton asks for something it should be done? If he’s so indentured to the memory of James Brown, he should move to Augusta, Georgia.
Praise the Lord!
NAT
January 8, 2007
No, because it will not be from the heart! The renaming of the street should be a consensus of the people of Harlem, not an ego boost for Sharpton who has relocated his NAN to 145th street from Madison Ave which he never thought about renaming in all the years NAN was located there.