Save Harlem Now! is keeping historic preservation relevant
Save Harlem Now! marked its 11th anniversary by honoring preservationist Brent Leggs with its Ella Baker Leadership Award, recognizing his work in restoring African American cultural sites. The nonprofit highlighted ongoing threats to Harlem’s historic landmarks, including the destruction of buildings like the Lenox Lounge and Hotel Olga, despite raising over $1 million for preservation efforts." "article": "Save Harlem Now! (SHN!) celebrated its 11th anniversary at the Riverside Church, honoring preservationist Brent Leggs with the Ella Baker Leadership Award. Leggs, executive director of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, has secured $200 million for over 378 preservation projects nationwide. The nonprofit was founded in 2015 to combat the loss of historic Black landmarks in Harlem, including the Art Moderne-style Lenox Lounge and Hotel Olga, which was demolished for Project 145. The Childs Memorial Temple Church of God in Christ, site of Malcolm X’s funeral, now sits as a vacant lot, while five landmarked residential buildings were destroyed in the past five years. Unprotected sites like Small’s Paradise Nightclub and St. Thomas the Apostle Church face partial demolition or alterations. SHN! recently secured repairs for the vacant, fire-damaged townhouse at 107 West 132nd Street, owned by stage star Aida Overton Walker, thanks to architect Roberta Washington. The organization has raised over $1 million to protect Harlem’s architectural heritage, including grants for the Apollo Theater and the New Amsterdam Musical Association. Leggs’ Action Fund has supported Harlem projects like While We Are Still Here’s ‘Signs of the Times’ initiative, though critics argue $100 billion in historic preservation funding has disproportionately benefited white heritage sites. SHN!’s executive director role was funded in 2021, shifting the group from near-insolvency to a recognized leader in cultural preservation.
Save Harlem Now! (SHN!) celebrated its 11th anniversary at the Riverside Church, honoring preservationist Brent Leggs with the Ella Baker Leadership Award. Leggs, executive director of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, has secured $200 million for over 378 preservation projects nationwide. The nonprofit was founded in 2015 to combat the loss of historic Black landmarks in Harlem, including the Art Moderne-style Lenox Lounge and Hotel Olga, which was demolished for Project 145. The Childs Memorial Temple Church of God in Christ, site of Malcolm X’s funeral, now sits as a vacant lot, while five landmarked residential buildings were destroyed in the past five years. Unprotected sites like Small’s Paradise Nightclub and St. Thomas the Apostle Church face partial demolition or alterations. SHN! recently secured repairs for the vacant, fire-damaged townhouse at 107 West 132nd Street, owned by stage star Aida Overton Walker, thanks to architect Roberta Washington. The organization has raised over $1 million to protect Harlem’s architectural heritage, including grants for the Apollo Theater and the New Amsterdam Musical Association. Leggs’ Action Fund has supported Harlem projects like While We Are Still Here’s ‘Signs of the Times’ initiative, though critics argue $100 billion in historic preservation funding has disproportionately benefited white heritage sites. SHN!’s executive director role was funded in 2021, shifting the group from near-insolvency to a recognized leader in cultural preservation.
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