Caribbean Life News
reports that The New York Public Library and the City’s Mayor, Bill de
Blasio, announced that the library will adopt a new name for Harlem’s
115th Street Library in honor of legendary Caribbean American singer,
songwriter, actor and social activist, Harry Belafonte.
The
Office of the Mayor said that the Executive Committee of the Library’s
Board of Trustees voted to name the branch the Harry Belafonte –115th
Street Library.
“Harry
Belafonte has a storied career as both an artist and an advocate for
New York City,” said Mayor de Blasio. “His drive and initiative have had
major impact in the realms of social justice, civil rights, culture,
and activism, especially in the Harlem community.
“It
is my honor and privilege to work with the New York Public Library to
honor Mr. Belafonte and celebrate the life and accomplishment of this
invaluable New Yorker,” he added.
New
York Public Library President Tony Marx said the Library was “proud to
honor legendary civil rights leader and entertainer Harry Belafonte,
whose Harlem roots and deep dedication to both social justice and the
spread of knowledge make him a perfect namesake for the 115th Street
Library.
“This
branch and all of our libraries strengthen New York City’s diverse
communities by offering free and open access to information and
opportunity – values that Mr. Belafonte has stood for over his long and
distinguished career,” Marx said. “We thank the Mayor for his support in
celebrating the legacy of this incredible New Yorker.”
Belafonte
thanked the Mayor for “this anointing,” adding that he was also
grateful to the New York Public Library system for “its invaluable
service to the community and for this personal honor.
“On March 1,
90 years ago, I was born here,” Belafonte said. “Harlem holds a very
special place in my heart, and I’m so honored that I will now have a
special place in Harlem.
“A
library is a place for people to come together, to learn about their
world and explore new ideas, things I’ve tried to do my entire life,” he
added. “I am hopeful that when people come to this place that will now
bear my name, they will be inspired to learn about some of the pursuits
I’ve held most dear -- music, writing and social justice.”
Belafonte,
who was born on March 1, 1927, as Harold George Bellanfanti, Jr.] at
Lying-in Hospital in Harlem, New York, is the son of Melvine (née Love),
a housekeeper of Jamaican descent, and Harold George Bellanfanti, Sr., a
Martiniquan who worked as a chef.
His
mother was born in Jamaica, the child of a Scottish white mother and a
black father. His father also was born in Jamaica, the child of a black
mother and Dutch Jewish father of Sephardi origins, according to
Wikipedia.
Belafonte
is considered one of the most successful African-American pop stars in
history. He was dubbed the “King of Calypso” for popularizing the
Caribbean musical style with an international audience in the 1950s
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