A Comprehensive Guide to 30 NYC Monuments Honoring Black Americans

In Upper Manhattan, Riverside Park hosts a striking 15-foot-tall bronze statue by Elizabeth Catlett commemorating Ralph Ellison’s “Invisible Man.” The piece portrays the hollow silhouette of a man mid-stride, referencing Ellison’s 1952 novel about invisibility in society. The memorial sits near Ellison’s residence and is one of the few New York monuments honoring Black Americans created by Black artists. Recognizing its significance, the work is featured in David Felsen’s book “New York City Monuments of Black Americans,” emphasizing underrepresented Black history in public art.

Felsen, a Chelsea high school teacher, began his research on Black representation in monuments as the country reevaluated its public art amid Confederate monument removals. His book offers chronological insight into New York’s public tributes to Black figures, starting with the 1869 Civil War Soldiers’ Monument. This guide highlights the infrequent depiction of actual Black individuals until mid-20th-century sculptures, such as Richmond Barthé’s 1946 bust of Booker T. Washington.

Despite increased representation during the Great Migration and political advancements, Black American women remain underrepresented in monuments. Efforts like She Built NYC aim to address this gap, although frustrations persist, exemplified by a guerrilla bust of Marsha P. Johnson erected near the Stonewall Inn in 2021. Felsen emphasizes that monuments reflect societal values and the ongoing significance of public tributes, especially amidst contemporary challenges to historical narratives and arts funding.