Five years after her death at the age of 91, legendary actress and civil rights activist Ruby Dee is having a major moment in Harlem–the neighborhood where she grew up and got her start. Here's where to soak up a bit of her light:
515 Malcolm X Blvd and 135th St
Last year the Schomburg announced it had acquired the joint archive of Ruby Dee and her husband, Ossie Davis. The couple didn't just perform in memorable plays such as "A Raisin in the Sun," but was actively involved in the civil rights movement–from integrating Broadway to emceeing the 1963 March on Washington. A fascinating assortment of vintage photos, letters and theater memorabilia from those years are already on display in the new exhibit "A Ballad for Harlem."
2340 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd and 137th St
Occupying the ground floor of the building where Ruby Dee was raised, this restaurant named after the legendary actress has vintage vibes to match. Stop by for brunch or dinner, and don't forget to order a cocktail–a Ruby Spritz perhaps?
W 123rd St and St. Nicholas Ave
Thanks to a successful petition by the Dwyer Cultural Center in Harlem, the corner of W 123rd Street and St. Nicholas Avenue was co-named Ruby Dee Place and Ossie Davis Way in April of this year. The street naming also highlights the couple's less visible–but just as important–work to advance the careers of African Americans in TV and film.
