Forgotten heroes deserve prominent recognition. That’s the story of Malcolm X Boulevard. It stands tall in Harlem. You might know it better as Lenox Avenue. Both names are officially recognized. This is Harlem’s primary north-south route. It stretches from 110th to 147th Street. Langston Hughes called its traffic “Harlem’s heartbeat”. His poem “Juke Box Love Song” immortalized it.
Lenox Avenue got its start as part of Sixth Avenue. In 1887, the city renamed the segment north of Central Park. The honor went to philanthropist James Lenox. A century later in 1987, history took another turn. It was co-named Malcolm X Boulevard. This honored the slain civil rights leader.
From 119th to 123rd Street, Malcolm X Boulevard is part of the Mount Morris Park Historic District. The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated it in 1971.
The 1930s Harlem Renaissance saw Malcolm X Boulevard become Harlem’s heart. African Americans, Latinos, British West Indians, and Spaniards gathered here. They shared common interests like jazz and food. By 1932, Harlem was the world capital of jazz. It was also the capital of African-American culture. “Black cinema” films like “Harlem Is Heaven” played nationwide. Jazz flourished like nowhere else. Trombonist Wycliffe Gordon described the scene. “You might have had 15 great clubs on one block all going at once” he said. “Imagine going into a joint to check out Willie ‘The Lion’ Smith. Duke Ellington and James P. Johnson are sitting next to you.” Some consider Malcolm X Boulevard one of the most important streets for African American culture.
The Savoy Ballroom once stood on Malcolm X Boulevard between 140th and 141st Streets. Sylvia’s Restaurant is another historic venue. Find it between 126th and 127th. The Lenox Lounge was located between 124th and 125th.
The IRT Lenox Avenue Line runs under Malcolm X Boulevard. It serves the 2 and 3 subway trains. The M7 and M102 buses serve Lenox north of West 116th Street. The M1 joins in north of West 139th Street. All three run to West 147th Street in Harlem.
Malcolm X Boulevard has appeared in popular culture. William Grant Still composed “Lenox Avenue” in 1937. He created a ballet in 1938. The Last Poets mentioned the corner of Lenox Avenue and 125th Street in their song “When the Revolution Comes”. Gil Scott-Heron’s album is called “Small Talk at 125th and Lenox”. Arthur Blythe recorded “Lenox Avenue Breakdown”. James Baldwin referred to Lenox Avenue as “The Avenue” in “The Fire Next Time”. Toni Morrison’s characters lived on Lenox Avenue in her novel “Jazz”. Madonna shot the video for “Secret” on Lenox Avenue. Langston Hughes set his poems “Lenox Avenue Midnight” and “The Weary Blues” here. He mentions it in “Juke Box Love Song” and “Consider Me”. Irving Berlin’s “Puttin’ On the Ritz” mentions the avenue. Big L raps about 139th Street and Lenox Avenue. The Netflix series “Luke Cage” features the street signs. Teyana Taylor filmed part of her “Gonna Love Me” remix video on Lenox Avenue.
So next time you find yourself on this iconic street remember its two names. Malcolm X Boulevard carries a rich history. It embodies Harlem’s cultural heartbeat.