Harlem

Harlem is a neighborhood in the northern part of Manhattan, New York City. It developed from a Dutch settlement in the 17th century, known as Nieuw Haarlem, and grew as part of New York City’s expansion in the 19th and 20th centuries. The area became a major residential and commercial hub with distinctive cultural and architectural character.

In the early 20th century Harlem became a global center of African American culture during the Harlem Renaissance, a period that produced significant literary, musical, and artistic contributions. The era helped shape American culture and civil rights discourse. Through the mid- to late 20th century, Harlem faced economic and social challenges, while continuing to influence music, theater, and art. Since the 1990s and into the 21st century, it has experienced renewed development and change.

Harlem is home to several notable institutions. The Apollo Theater, established in 1934, remains a landmark venue for music and performance. The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, part of the New York Public Library system, houses extensive archives and exhibitions. The Studio Museum in Harlem focuses on contemporary Black art. The neighborhood also features a mix of historic brownstones, churches, schools, and community organizations.

Demographically, Harlem has been historically African American and later became more diverse with Caribbean and Latin American residents. Economic and urban development in recent decades has led to gentrification in parts of the area, bringing new businesses and housing developments alongside concerns about affordability and displacement. Harlem continues to be celebrated as a center of culture, history, and ongoing urban change in New York City.