In the heart of Harlem, where culture, resilience, and history converge, Congressman Charles “Charlie” B. Rangel stood as a beacon of unwavering dedication and transformative leadership.
With the passing of this legendary statesman, we remember not just a political figure, but a warrior for justice, a voice for the voiceless, and a son of Harlem who never forgot where he came from.
Charlie Rangel’s journey from the battlefields of the Korean War—where he earned a Purple Heart and Bronze Star—to the halls of Congress is a testament to his indomitable spirit. My father, the late Judge Thomas R. Jones, knew Charlie at the very beginning of his career, urging him to go to law school, which he did, receiving his degree in 1960 from St. John’s University School of Law.
He became an assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and served in the State Legislature before running for Congress in 1970. After defeating the iconic Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Rangel went on to serve 23 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, becoming one of the longest-serving members in history.
As a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the first Black chair of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, Rangel broke barriers and built bridges. He was instrumental in shaping tax policy, expanding healthcare access, and advocating for economic justice. His legislative prowess earned him the reputation of being one of the most effective lawmakers in Congress.
“The Lion of Lenox Avenue”
But beyond the legislation and accolades, Charlie’s heart remained in Harlem.
He was affectionately known as “The Lion of Lenox Avenue,” a title that reflected both his fierce advocacy and deep love for his community. Whether fighting for equal opportunity, civil rights or affordable housing, Charlie carried Harlem with him into every chamber, every vote, and every speech.
With his support, my organization, the Community Service Society of New York (CSS), launched a series of monthly policy forums starting in May 2007 and running through April 2011 called, “Working for Change.” One of its primary goals was to create a consensus around an economic mobility agenda for the working poor. The forums, which took place at the United States Capitol in conference room space provided by the congressman, brought together advocates, practitioners, philanthropists and public officials acting in concert on some of the most pressing economic and social challenges facing our communities.
Charlie’s passion for Harlem and its residents was immeasurable. Even at age 93, and some eight years removed from political life, he still brought the same passion and vigor that had defined his career to the causes he cared about. Case in point: Last year, when Harlem community groups and local elected officials mobilized to protest Columbia University’s campus expansion into West Harlem, which had already displaced many businesses and low-income people of color as areas became gentrified, they turned to Charlie for counsel.
Three decades prior, he authored federal legislation designating Upper Manhattan as an urban empowerment zone, which led to the creation of the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation in 1995. Harlem’s economic revitalization was something Charlie cared deeply about. So, it was fitting that he would lend his voice to the Black community’s demand that Columbia honor its pledge to invest in affordable housing, local infrastructure and community enrichment initiatives in exchange for expanding its institutional footprint into Harlem.
According to an analysis CSS did of demographic changes in West Harlem since Columbia’s decades long expansion, the community lost about 14 percent of its Black population (3,800 residents) and 10 percent of its Latinx population (4,500 residents) between the 2010 and 2020 censuses. The exodus was followed by an influx of Asian and White residents with incomes above $200,000 moving into the area.
In addition, there was a nearly 6,000-unit decline in rent-controlled apartments in 2022 and high eviction rates in 2017 in the part of Harlem near the campus expansion. Charlie saw this as an opportunity not only to win community benefits that Columbia had promised, but to support the next generation of progressive leadership fighting for his beloved Harlem community.
After retiring from Congress in 2017, Charlie continued to inspire future generations through the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service at The City College of New York. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched, the policies he shaped, and the community he uplifted.
As we bid farewell to Congressman Rangel, we honor a life devoted to public service, equal justice, and the enduring spirit of Harlem. May his memory be a blessing, and may his example guide future generations of New York City political leaders who dare to lead with courage and compassion.
David R. Jones, Esq., is President and CEO of the Community Service Society of New York (CSS), the leading voice on behalf of low-income New Yorkers for more than 175 years. The views expressed in this column are solely those of the writer. The Urban Agenda is available on CSS’s website: www.cssny.org.