NYCHA Developments Named after Black Americans

To commemorate Black History Month, The NYCHA Journal is highlighting the Authority’s developments named after prominent Black Americans. Residents of these developments have permanent reminders of these trailblazers who made considerable contributions to American life throughout our nation’s history.

“Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.” – Dr. Carter G. Woodson 

RALPH J. RANGEL (1923 – 1975) – An energetic Central Harlem community worker, Rangel became a director of Community Board #1 and the New Careers Program. He was also the co-founder and president for nine years of the Colonial Park Houses Tenant Association, which was later named for him following an overwhelming vote by residents a year after his death in 1975. Rangel was the brother of New York’s Democratic Congressman Charles Rangel. Rangel Houses is in Washington Heights, Manhattan. (Not pictured.)

JACKIE ROBINSON (1919-1972) – The first Black American to play in the major leagues. Robinson excelled in sports at the University of California, Los Angeles. He signed a minor league contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers farm team in Montreal in 1945 and in 1947 joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in what was a precedent-shattering move. A fierce competitor, daring base runner, and solid hitter, Robinson led the Dodgers to six World Series appearances in his 10 years with the team. He was the first Black American in 1962 to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Robinson Houses is in Manhattan’s East Harlem.

FREDERICK E. SAMUEL (1924 – 1985) – A City Councilman, he was also an immensely popular Harlem political leader who chaired the Council’s Black and Puerto Rican Caucus. Born in the West Indies, he graduated from New York University and Fordham University’s School of Law before becoming active in civic affairs and Democratic Party politics. Samuel Houses is in Manhattan’s Hamilton Heights. (Not pictured.)

(To see the previous prominent Black Americans and developments, click here, here, here, here and here.)