A rural Alabama newspaper, the Southern Courier, recently received a long-awaited historical marker, emblematic of its critical role during the Civil Rights Movement. It brought to mind the work underway in Harlem by While We Are Still Here (WWSH) and its tireless founder and Executive Director Karen Taylor.
To date, WWSH has installed 23 of the planned 25 historic markers in the community to commemorate notable figures, events, and organizations. One recent marker was placed near 445 W. 153rd Street, where the great tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins lived. A busload of supporters attended the Hawkins event, part of the organization’s tourism program designed to share Harlem’s history with the world.
Taylor and her team have been completing these landmarks without fanfare, and without too much financial support. Even so, they are determined — as Ellen Lake was in galvanizing reporters in the creation of the Southern Courier — to preserve the culture and legacy of Harlem despite the intensifying wave of gentrification.
But recently funding was cancelled, leaving WWSH in desperate need to meet the matching-funds requirement for the Market New York grant opportunity. We strongly endorse this initiative to secure WWSH “Signs of the Times: Harlem Markers Project.”
In this first phase of commemorative installments, only two more markers are needed before the second stage can begin — but that may never happen if the current phase isn’t completed. That means the only way WWSH can survive, thrive and fully realize its mission is with your help.
To donate, go to https://whilewearestillhere.networkforgood.com.
Why did they cut it down the one they put on the corner at Lennox at 1/33 Swing-Street it was there and now it’s been gone why what happened?