Efforts to save the Harlem’s historic Renaissance Ballroom, a cultural shrine, have failed. It was demolished by its new owners. Here is how this happened.
Requiem for a Demolished Harlem Shrine
In addition to being banned for life, Donald Sterling also should be forced to visit the Black Fives exhibition now at the New-York Historical Society, which reveals that blacks and whites have been working together in basketball for a very, very long time.
As with any long-lived icon of sports, culture, and history, it is nearly impossible to encapsulate all of the thoughts and remembrances of people into one service, one article, one story, one comment. So, I will continue to share topics relating to John Isaacs from time to time, starting with these.
The Commonwealth Big Five, an all-black basketball team, debuted on this date in 1922, becoming the first fully-professional African American basketball team.
The New York Rens, the first black-owned, all-black, fully professional basketball team, debuted on November 3, 1923, beating the Collegiate Five, an all-white team, at the Renaissance Ballroom in Harlem. Team owner Robert Douglas, who was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1973, had announced his plans to the public just a few… Read more »
Breaking down the century-long connection between basketball and music.
These are some new pre-Chuck Taylors with an upper made of laser-detailed leather.
The long awaited Converse Black Fives “Century Pack” is here!
I betchu I can connect any modern day athlete or event to vintage basketball star and African American sports pioneer Frank ‘Strangler’ Forbes.
In 1922 the white-owned all-black Commonwealth Big Five basketball team made its debut in Harlem. The “Commons” were the first fully professional African American basketball team.