Request for Proposals: Operator for the Harlem African Burial Ground Cultural Education Center

"For two centuries, from the mid-1600s to the mid-1800s, free and enslaved New Yorkers of African descent were buried at the Harlem African Burial Ground. Over time, the history of this site was lost - erased by the subsequent redevelopment of the land. Today, the Harlem African Burial Ground project is a community-driven vision to honor and memorialize this historic site with a new outdoor memorial and indoor cultural education center, while also addressing affordable housing and jobs needs in the East Harlem community."

"In 2015, with the tireless work of the Harlem African Burial Ground Initiative (HABGI) and its members, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) commissioned archaeologists to unearth that history and reverse its erasure. Now, after several years of excavation and preservation, engagement with the Harlem community, and commemoration of this sacred site, the Burial Ground enters the next chapter of its history."

"NYCEDC has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for qualified parties interested in creating and operating the future Harlem African Burial Ground Cultural Education Center, which will honor the contributions of the New Yorkers buried there and educate a new generation on the rich history of Harlem and New York City. NYCEDC is hosting two informational sessions for this opportunity, one virtual and the other in-person: Monday, January 26, at 6pm (ET): In-person informational session at the Myriam Colon Valle Theatre at East Harlem's Julia de Burgos Latino Cultural Center Monday, February 2, at 3pm (ET): Virtual informational session held via Microsoft Teams"

For two centuries, from the mid-1600s to the mid-1800s, free and enslaved New Yorkers of African descent were buried at the Harlem African Burial Ground. The site’s history was erased over time by redevelopment of the land. The Harlem African Burial Ground project aims to honor and memorialize the site with an outdoor memorial and an indoor cultural education center while addressing affordable housing and job needs in East Harlem. In 2015, HABGI and NYCEDC commissioned archaeologists to unearth and preserve the site. NYCEDC released an RFP to select an operator for the cultural education center and will hold informational sessions in January and February. Proposals are due by 4pm (ET) on Monday, April 6, 2026, and RSVPs for sessions should be sent to [e-mail].

Read at Hyperallergic