As Sistas' Place Celebrates its' 20th season opening, September 20th, with the genius of the Charles Tolliver Quintet, we have launched a campaign to seek support for Honorary Landmark Status in recognition and for the preservation of this important Black Cultural Institution in the heart of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. In the face of gentrification and loss of Black Cultural Institutions, Sistas' Place, remains a beacon light for Jazz greats and upcoming artist bringing their music back home to wear it was birthed. In 20 years, we’ve housed the sounds of Cecil Bridgewater, Eddie Gale, Sonny Fortune, Antonio Hart, Gary Bartz, James Spaulding, Vanessa Rubin, Donna “Tolivu” Cumberbatch, Olu Dara, Jimmy Owens and Reggie Workman, to name a few. We have, without paid staff (all volunteers), fought to make this great music affordable and available in the heart of our community. All the Jazz masters have performed and will continue to perform at Sistas’ Place for this reason and the traditional concept "The band must get paid".
We the undersigned support granting Honorary Landmark Status to Sistas' Place, located at 456 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11216. We feel that Black Cultural Institutions of this type are critical to preserving the traditions, accomplishments and genius of the communities they serve. The 20 year successful effort to keep this great music affordable and accessible to young and old by the dedicated group of community volunteers deserves such recognition.
