Featured in Carmelo Anthony’s New Magazine, ‘Melo’


Melo Magazine logoCarmelo Anthony has a new magazine called “Melo” and one of its latest features is about our involvement in the efforts to preserve the historically important Renaissance Ballroom in Harlem.

Not only are we honored and proud to be included but also, more importantly, it’s fantastic that Carmelo himself is lending his voice to this important cause through the publication. (Note to Carmelo: Get well soon!)

Preserving the History of African-American Basketball
The Black Fives Foundation is fighting to preserve the home of the first professional, all-black, African-American owned basketball team, the New York Rens.

Here is a brief excerpt:

The two-story brick building in question is the Renaissance Ballroom and Casino; home to the first professional, all-black, African-American owned basketball team, the New York Rens.

[In 2014 the new owners] announced plans to demolish the Ballroom to make way for the construction of an eight-story apartment complex.

The announcement was met by a wave of outcries. Harlem historian, Michael Henry Adams, led protests to save the Ballroom and was eventually arrested for disturbing the peace. An online petition has gathered almost 5,000 signatures, but so far, no official plans to save The Renaissance Ballroom have been announced.

One of Benjamin Clayton's poignant photographs of the historically important Renaissance Ballroom.

One of Benjamin Clayton’s poignant photographs of the historically important Renaissance Ballroom exterior as it stands today. Efforts to preserve portions of the building through adapted re-use are underway and have made some progress but there’s more work ahead.

Here are some of the social media posts relating to this wonderful article, for you to share.

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