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Block Association announcements and discussion can be found on our online discussion group. Residents are invited to join the group: Click Here.

Located in the Sugar Hill neighborhood of Harlem, New York, the West 147th Street Block Association was founded in the 1970s and has always been a socio-economically diverse and inclusive community organization. Membership is open to renters, business owners, and homeowners. For nearly 50 years we have fostered cohesive community initiatives to preserve this area as a family friendly, safe and healthy community that functions as a supportive environment for all residents.

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History and Mission

The stately homes of West 147th Street in Sugar Hill were built in the 1890’s, designed by several noted architects of the day, including Frederick P. Dinkelberg, Henri Fouchaux, and John P. Leo. Many families on our block have occupied their homes for several generations, all the way back to the Great Depression of the 1930’s. In the latter half of the 20th century the block developed into a mix of boarding houses, private homes, and rental units. As decade after decade of of rampant development Continue reading “History and Mission”

Initiatives

Black Lives Matter

Many of us take great pride in being part of Harlem, a community that has been at the forefront of the fight against racism and for equal rights, equal justice, and equal opportunity. Tragically over the past weeks we’ve been reminded that this fight is far from over. The torturous murder of George Floyd, an unarmed man, by a Minneapolis Policeman has brought us grief, anger, and fear, but also feelings of revulsion toward this latest manifestation of our country’s shameful legacy of racism.

Locally these feelings have been long inflamed by the evidence of ongoing NYPD brutality including the murder of Eric Garner and the ensuing investigation that dragged on for years without indictment. Nationally the list of unarmed black and brown men and women killed by police is too long to bear, part of a national crisis that normally lingers below the surface but has now erupted. We’ve seen millions of expressions of anguish and resistance globally, nationally, and right here in our city. Protests here in NY revealed a painful irony: The NYPD often leans into deadly force as a first option, rather than a last resort.

We have a role to play in this crisis. This is the time to demonstrate our values and beliefs as we work to end racial violence and promote social justice. These goals are worthy of our constant attention and the support of the network of neighbors that we’ve built: on our block, in the community, and throughout the city. We support initiatives being taken throughout the nation to transform violent police practices and create a more just and equitable public safety system. We support efforts to reduce the risk of police violence that our black and brown neighbors confront right here, in our own city.

For months we’ve struggled with COVID-19, just been hoping that at some point we could get back to normal. But once again we’re reminded that this “normal” still means that our black and brown neighbors face the menace of a bigoted criminal justice system, unchecked violence by our police forces, the neglect of a broken health care system, and the indiginity of large and small harrassments in everyday life. This is the time to help create a “new normal” built on equality, fairness, and justice. This is the time to demonstrate that Black Lives Matter.

-The West 147th Street Block Association, June 16, 2020

Sugar Hill Concerned Neighbors

An initiative of the West 147th Street Block Association

Sugar Hill Concerned Neighbors works in coalition with neighborhood organizations throughout the Greater Harlem community in support of quality of life initiatives, especially with regards to the over-saturation of social-service facilities in our community.

Your Support is Needed

SHCN has retained legal counsel in support ongoing initiatives. All donations are dedicated to this effort. Click here to donate:


To send donations by check:

Make checks payable to “The West 147th Street Block Association” and include “730 Clinic” in the memo field. Please include your name and address. Mail to: The West 147th Street Block Association, P.O. Box 438, Audubon Station, New York, NY 10032

Continue reading “Initiatives”