Marcus Meets Malcolm is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that creates culturally relevant programming in Harlem and manages the New York City Open Street on West 120th Street between Malcolm X Boulevard and Mount Morris Park West. GuideStar identifies the organization as founded by three women of African descent and lists 2021 as its ruling year.
How the Open Street partnership works
According to the New York City departments of Transportation and Cultural Affairs, nonprofit community groups and institutions can apply to become Open Street partners and may be eligible for city funding to assist with operations and maintenance. The agencies said the city has worked with community-based organizations, educational institutions and business groups to operate Open Streets citywide since 2020.
A weekend of fashion and art
The organization extended the fashion show into a second day with a Stoop Sale on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Its website said participating designers and artists would sell runway clothing and displayed artwork on West 120th Street, giving visitors an opportunity to meet the creators and support their work, according to Marcus Meets Malcolm.
Earlier programming and street rules
Marcus Meets Malcolm’s event archive shows that the block has hosted programming beyond the fashion show, including “A Sprinkle of Harlem - Fashion Week 2023” on Sept. 9, 2023, and a Higher Learning Cannabis Forum on April 23, 2022, co-hosted with Manhattan Community Board 10, according to the organization’s events page. The documented Open Streets framework sets operating requirements alongside the programming opportunities. For full-closure Open Streets, NYC Department of Transportation rules require emergency access and an emergency lane to remain clear at all times. The available records describe that requirement and the city’s funding framework but do not document specific operational challenges reported by Marcus Meets Malcolm.
What happened on the block
The fourth annual show drew more than 500 people to West 120th Street on Saturday, according to PIX11. Professional designers appeared alongside neighborhood children, and the event used the theme “One Sky, One Block, One Light.” This year marked the first time the event charged admission: $10 for general admission and $100 for VIP seating. Street viewing remained free.
Designers represented
Douglas Says presented a collection featuring stripes and sequins in a broad range of colors, PIX11 reported. A biography on King and I Productions says Says has designed for Tracey Africa Norman and has had work featured in magazine and brand campaigns.
Joseph McRae also presented a collection titled The Phoenix. PIX11 reported that McRae had recently competed on Project Runway and described the collection as part of his continuing fashion development.
