An online discussion with Paula Marie Seniors

"J. Rosamond Johnson and his brother, James Weldon Johnson, are renowned for their most famous composition, “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing.” However, the adage, Behind every great man there is a great woman, applies to both men.

Their mother, Helen Louise Dillet, and the respective women that they married, Grace Nail and Nora E. Floyd, were highly accomplished themselves.

Paula Marie Seniors will offer an engaging discussion about these important figures whom history has relegated to the background.

The SIGNS OF THE TIMES | Harlem Heritage Markers Project will install twenty-five historic markers throughout Harlem, beginning in September 2022.

SIGNS OF THE TIMES honors individuals, organizations, and events that imbue Harlem with its unique character.

“The Unknown, Fantastic Lives of the Johnson Women” is a pre-marker-installation program that takes a deep dive into the wives of James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson, and the woman who birthed these two extraordinary men.

One of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES honors J. Rosamond Johnson, widely known for composing “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” the perfect complement to James Weldon’s poem.

The other marker honors Rosamond’s educator daughter, Mildred Johnson, who founded Harlem’s first Black independent school in 1934: The Modern School thrived for sixty years and educated hundreds of children, including two WWSH board members, Robin Verges, and Deidre B. Flowers, Ph.D.

Dessert with Sheila Evans…
A fascinating writer and true New Yorker

Sunday, March 27, 2022
3:00pm - 4:30pm ET

"Cathedral Parkway Towers at Harlem’s Gate"
By Sheila Evans

Everybody needs housing. Read a great NYC housing story!

The greatest tenant organizing story never told… until now....

Sheila holds a master's degree in education, is a college professor, actor, oral historian, ordained unconventional minister, theologian, and she's a licensed New York City and international tour guide.

Sheila will be interviewed by Karen D. Taylor.

The tickets for this event are $50. It includes a signed book and a delectable dessert mailed directly to you.

To celebrate the music of Harlem, we ask you to join us this year for the 5th Annual Sugar Hill Music Festival.

In Tribute to the Mizell Brothers and Gil Scott-Heron

With

 Burnt Sugar, in tribute to the Mizells

 Charenee Wade, in tribute to Gil Scott-Heron

 Sugar Hill Quartet with Special Guest James Carter

 Duane Eubanks Quintet

In addition:

Reading Across Harlem

“Reading Across Harlem” features an interview with legendary poet Abiodun Oyewole, founding member of The Last Poets and self-described “author, musician, mentor, father, lifelong learner.”

Oyewole, author of "Branches of the Tree of Life: The Collected Poems of Abiodun Oyewole, 1969-2013."

5th Annual Sugar Hill Music Festival

Saturday, September 25, 2021

2:00pm

Sugar Hill Luminaries Lawn

Edgecombe Avenue and W. 155th Street

Harlem, NY

*Please follow our page for updated information about this event.

The event is free and While We Are Still Here welcomes​ "Pay What You Choose'" support to help us honor Harlem's history.

 Tickets: https://bit.ly/3zRTscE

While We Are Still Here acknowledges the generous support of the J. Rosamond Johnson Foundation and Melanie Edwards, without whom this project would not have taken place.