By Victoria Johnson
- Jack Johnson
- Jack Johnson
During the Jim Crow era, Johnson became the first African American world heavyweight boxer. Standing at a height of 6’ 2” and was nicknamed the Galveston Giant. Jack Johnson Plaza was named after him. It is located at Lenox Avenue and 142nd Street in Manhattan.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
- Kalpana Chawla
- Kalpana Chawla
The first Indian-American astronaut and the first Indian woman astronaut, Kalpana Chawla didn’t make it back from her mission. Chawla and all six of her fellow crew members died in 2003 when the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated over Texas with only 16 minutes left in the mission. Kalpana Chawla Way was named after her. It is located between Roosevelt Avenue and 37th Avenue in Queens.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
- Dan Bullock
- Dan Bullock
One of the youngest U.S. soldiers ever to be killed in action. Dan Bullock was only 15 when he enlisted in the United States Marines during the Vietnam War by altering his birth certificate. PFC Dan Bullock Way took its name after him. It is located at Wallabout Street and Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
- Sylvia Rivera
- Sylvia Rivera
A civil rights activist and leader of the Stonewall Uprising, a series of protests by the LGBT community. She was believed to have thrown the first stone in the protest. Sylvia Rivera Way was named after her, as well as the Sylvia Rivera Project, which advocates for LGBT rights. She died in 2002 at the age of 50. Sylvia Rivera Way is located at the northeast corner of Hudson Street and Christopher Street in Brooklyn.
Photo Credit: Blaise Freeman
- Jefferson Diggs
- Jefferson Diggs
A civil rights activist and teacher who led sit-ins at Winston-Salem Teachers College and in store lunch counters at Woolworth and Kress department store lunch. Jefferson Diggs Way was named after him. It is located at the corner of 88th Avenue and 178th Street in Queens.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
- Henry Grate Sr
- Henry Grate Sr
He was nicknamed the “neighborhood barber” for giving people in the neighborhood free haircuts. He also ran a recording studio in his basement where he produced music. Henry Grate Sr Place was named after him. It is located at Liberty Avenue and Lakewood Avenue in the Bronx.
Photo is a courtesy of Grate’s daughter, Roslyn (pictured above).
- Hector Lavoe
- Hector Lavoe
Hector Lavoe, also named ‘the singer of singers’ was a famous Puerto Rican salsa performer and singer. He is credited with starting the salsa movement in 1975. Later, he tragically died of AIDS in 1993. Hector Lavoe Boulevard, located at Webster Avenue and Boston Road in the Bronx, is named after him.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
- Tom Feelings
- Tom Feelings
A Brooklyn native who created art and illustrated children’s books. One of the books he illustrated, To Be A Slave, won the 1969 Newberry Honor Book. Tom Feelings Way was named after him. It is located between Bedford Avenue and Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn.
Photo Credit: A Tom Feelings Illustration Called ‘Survival’ from Juneteenth
- Joe ‘The Great’ Rollino
- Joe ‘The Great’ Rollino
A legendary New Yorker who coined himself “the world’s strongest man.” He reportedly lifted 475 pounds with his teeth, raised up 635 pounds with a finger and moved 3,200 pounds with his back. He was struck by a minivan and died at the age of 104 in 2010. Joe ‘The Great’ Rollino Corner was named after him. It is located at the intersection of Bay Ridge Parkway and 14th Avenue in Brooklyn.
Photo Credit: Old Time Strong Man
- Nancy DeBeneditti
- Nancy DeBeneditti
Owner of the restaurant labeled “the best place on earth” by Food and Wine Magazine. Nancy DeBeneditti, affectionately known as “Mama”, ran her Italian restaurant and deli Leo’s Latticini (also known as Mama’s) in Corona, Queens. After DeBeneditti passed in 2009 at 90 years old, her three daughters (pictured above) took over the business. Nancy DeBeneditti’s Mama’s Way was named after her. It is located between 46th Avenue and 47th Avenue in Queens, not too far from Leo’s Latticini.
Photo Credit: Swerz
