Originally from the South, Dr. Hazel Dukes was a fearless civil rights advocate whose leadership helped shape modern New York’s social and political landscape. With over seven decades dedicated to the empowerment of Harlem, she served as a pillar of both the national NAACP and The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce (GHCC). As a GHCC Board Member and a longtime leader on Manhattan Community Board 10, she was a relentless advocate for youth education and systemic healthcare reform. Her legacy as a "matriarch of the movement" and a trusted advisor to presidents is immortalized through the recently launched Hazel Dukes Memorial Family Health Walk during the HARLEM WEEK festival—a collaborative tribute by the NYRR and GHCC that continues her lifelong mission of fostering community vitality and equity in the heart of Harlem.
Born and raised in Harlem, Congressman Charles B. Rangel was a legendary international statesman whose nearly 50-year career earned him the iconic title "The Lion of Lenox Avenue." From decorated Korean War hero to the first African American chair of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, Rangel utilized his legislative prowess to champion global justice—most notably through his relentless anti-apartheid advocacy—while securing billions in resources for Harlem's economic revitalization. A founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, he remained an unwavering voice for dignity and opportunity, ensuring that his beloved community was always respected on the world stage.
A transformational "community architect," Lloyd A. Williams was a lifelong Harlem resident whose vision ignited the neighborhood’s "Second Renaissance." Serving as the president and CEO of The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce for over 40 years, Williams seamlessly united grassroots activism with global business to secure Harlem’s status as a premier destination for investment and tourism. As a founding member of HARLEM WEEK, he helped grow a one-day celebration of unity into a world-renowned, month-long festival, ensuring that the community he championed remained the undisputed cultural and economic capital of Black America.
Known as the "Mother of the Black Arts Movement," Dr. Barbara Ann Teer was an actor, producer, thespian, and visionary who helped transform Harlem into a global sanctuary for Black artistry. In 1968, she founded the National Black Theatre (NBT), creating a space where Black artists could reclaim their narratives and perform "unapologetically". A trailblazing entrepreneur, she purchased a 64,000-square-foot city block on 125th Street and Fifth Avenue in 1983, establishing the first revenue-generating Black arts complex in the United States. Her legacy lives on through a major 21st-century redevelopment project led by her daughter, Sade Lythcott. This new state-of-the-art facility ensures Dr. Teer's mission of community liberation, youth education, and cultural excellence remains the "North Star" for generations of artists in the heart of Harlem.
Known as the "Queen of Soul Food," Sylvia Woods transformed her modest Lenox Avenue kitchen counter into a Harlem landmark and "community kitchen." Since 1962, Sylvia’s Restaurant has served as a crossroads for local residents and world leaders alike, anchoring the neighborhood’s social and political life. A trailblazing entrepreneur, she expanded her legacy through a national food line and a youth scholarship foundation, cementing her place as a culinary icon who utilized hospitality to nourish the spirit and soul of Harlem.
A true Harlem leader, the Texas-born and decorated Tuskegee Airman Percy E. Sutton, was a trailblazing civil rights attorney who famously represented Malcolm X and dedicated his career to the pursuit of equity. As Manhattan Borough President and a founding member of HARLEM WEEK, "The Chairman" was one of the visionary architects who transformed the New York City Marathon into the legendary five-borough race being celebrated today. His enduring commitment to health and community vitality lives on through HARLEM WEEK’S annual Percy Sutton Harlem 5K Run and the Percy Sutton Harlem Miles. From his heroism in the skies to saving the Apollo Theater and co-founding Inner City Broadcasting, Sutton’s legacy as a brilliant statesman ensures Harlem remains a global beacon of Black excellence and economic power.
