National Black Theater New York

Harlem

Geoffrey from New York

About me I travel to discover how people elsewhere live, how they manage living with low incomes in expensive cities, how they grapple with hard times and failing economies, how they deal with ageing or crumbling families and how they themselves age and adapt. Knowing and loving New York comes from having lived through many of its manifestations while witnessing its changes....
""National Black Theater" in New York is among the oldest Black Theaters in the country, one of the longest owned and operated by women of color..."

Founded in 1968, NBT is among the oldest Black Theaters in the country and one of the longest owned and operated by women of color. NBT is also the first to establish a revenue-generating Black arts complex. Its mission is “to produce transformational theatrical experiences that enhance African American cultural identity by telling authentic stories of the Black experience.”

Their statement reminds me of the mission of WP Theater on Broadway, another organization dealing with gender or racial intolerance.

Check the website to discover what is playing, and when.

The west and south sides of the NBT building exterior feature sculptural reliefs created by Nigerian artists from Oshogbo, Nigeria. The north side is covered in colourful didactic murals.

Take the 2 or 3 train to 125th street and walk one block east. A comfortable walking tour could include a visit to the National Jazz Museum, and the Studio Museum of Harlem, with a stopover at Sisters for some absolutely wonderful Jamaican style home cooking (especially good --- oxtail stew), and a glass of icy Sorrel.

Additionally there are four other great value, interesting, walkably close black owned businesses nearby, so make an event of it: Harlem Burger, Lee Lee's, Harlem Chocolate Factory (sweet potato pie truffles!) and Patisserie des Ambassades.

 2031 5th Ave, New York, NY 10035, USA

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New York Spotter Geoffrey

About me I travel to discover how people elsewhere live, how they manage living with low incomes in expensive cities, how they grapple with hard times and failing economies, how they deal with ageing or crumbling families and how they themselves age and adapt. Knowing and loving New York comes from having lived through many of its manifestations while witnessing its changes. Why New York I love New York because of its broad cultural spectrum realized in all forms of the arts, food, technology, politics and transportation, and its easy access to the beautif...

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2031-33, 5th Avenue

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Oct 4, 2025

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