Exciting Opportunity to Develop a Cultural Education Center at the Harlem African Burial Ground
For over two centuries, the Harlem African Burial Ground served as the final resting place for free and enslaved New Yorkers of African descent. However, the history of this significant site was lost over time due to redevelopment. Today, the Harlem African Burial Ground project aims to honor and memorialize this historic location through the creation of an outdoor memorial and indoor cultural education center. This project also seeks to address affordable housing and job needs within the East Harlem community.
With the diligent efforts of the Harlem African Burial Ground Initiative (HABGI) and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), archaeologists were commissioned in 2015 to unearth the history of the site and reverse its erasure. After years of excavation, preservation, community engagement, and commemoration, the Burial Ground is now embarking on the next phase of its journey.
NYCEDC has recently released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for qualified parties interested in developing and operating the future Harlem African Burial Ground Cultural Education Center. This center will serve to honor the contributions of those buried at the site and educate future generations on the rich history of Harlem and New York City.
To provide more information about this opportunity, NYCEDC will be hosting two virtual informational sessions on Monday, January 26, at 6pm (ET) and Monday, February 2, at 3pm (ET) via Microsoft Teams. Interested parties can RSVP for either session by emailing HABGOperator@edc.nyc.
All proposals must be submitted by 4pm (ET) on Monday, April 6, 2026. For further details and to access the RFP, please visit the NYCEDC website at edc.nyc.
