New York simply wouldn’t be the same without the rich cultural influence of Harlem. The neighborhood — just a short walk from Teachers College — is known for its special role in Black history and culture, including the artistic enlightenment that bears its name, the Harlem Renaissance, which some say set the stage for the Civil Rights movement.

Since TC’s founding, the College and the neighborhood have been intertwined — serving as the backdrop and inspiration of local artist Charles Alston (M.A. ’31); where Shirley Chisholm (M.A. ’52) taught before attending grad school; and the birthplace of Professor Emeritus Edmund W. Gordon’s (Ed.D. ’57) critical community work. That interconnectivity continues through the ongoing work of student teachers in Harlem schools, mental health services offered through TC’s Dean Hope Center and a variety of health services. 

In celebration of the neighborhood’s upcoming Harlem Week (Aug. 9 - Aug. 20), test your knowledge of this unique New York community.