Information
Landmark: Bronx Walk of FameCity: Bronx
Country: USA New York
Continent: North America
Bronx Walk of Fame, Bronx, USA New York, North America
Overview
The Bronx Walk of Fame celebrates people with deep Bronx roots who’ve left their mark in fields from art to sports, their names set in bronze along the busy Grand Concourse.It celebrates the borough’s rich history, its mix of cultures, and the global influence that’s felt from its bustling markets to its music.Fernando Ferrer, Bronx Borough President in 1997, launched the Walk of Fame, and it’s grown into a yearly tradition honoring people deeply tied to the Bronx-names etched into bright brass plaques along the Grand Concourse.The honorees span every corner of life-from jazz clubs and ballfields to city hall and protest lines-showing how the borough shapes New York City and reaches far beyond its borders.The Bronx Walk of Fame was born from a simple vision: honor those whose work has shaped the world, while proudly shining a spotlight on their Bronx beginnings-like a bronze plaque catching the afternoon sun along the Grand Concourse.A committee headed by Ferrer chose the first inductees, and before long the idea caught on as a way to celebrate the Bronx’s standout figures-people whose names filled neighborhood streets with pride.Over the years, the Walk of Fame has become a cornerstone of the borough’s culture, shining a spotlight on the Bronx’s powerful influence on both America and the world-think jazz echoing from a street corner or hip-hop born in a local park.The Bronx Walk of Fame runs for 23 blocks along the Grand Concourse, from 138th Street up to 165th, where the air hums with traffic and street vendors call out their wares.The Grand Concourse, known as the Bronx’s “Main Street,” runs past rows of gleaming Art Deco facades and stands as one of the borough’s defining landmarks.Along this stretch, the Walk of Fame signs cling to lampposts, each one proudly displaying an inductee’s name in bold black letters.These signs honor the people they celebrate and stand as lasting markers of their legacy, like names etched deep into stone.Each spring, during Bronx Week, the new inductee signs are revealed, part of a lively celebration filled with music, food, and events that honor the borough’s culture, history, and community.Every year, just before Bronx Week kicks off, the names of the new honorees are revealed, followed by a lively unveiling at a special event where cameras flash and applause fills the room.The induction ceremony wraps up with the Bronx Ball, a black-tie gala where inductees are celebrated under chandeliers and warm stage lights.Bronx residents and civic leaders gather at these ceremonies to honor the borough’s achievements-and the people who made them happen, from a teacher who started a rooftop garden to a coach who kept kids off the streets.Getting into the Bronx Walk of Fame isn’t easy-it’s a highly selective honor that starts with an open call for nominations and ends with a careful review, as if each name were weighed like gold.Every year, people get nominated for the Walk of Fame, sometimes through a public submission, other times by industry groups.A committee-made up of folks from the Bronx Borough President’s Office, the Bronx Economic Development Corporation (BXEDC), and the Bronx Tourism Council-reviews the nominees, poring over each name like they’re scanning a shortlist on crisp white paper.The selection committee looks at each nomination through a few key lenses: standout achievements in their field-whether that’s performing on a Broadway stage, winning a championship, or shaping public policy-meaningful contributions to society at large, and a genuine bond with the Bronx, from being born or raised there to leaving a lasting mark on the borough.After the honorees are selected, their names go out in an official announcement, and they’re toasted with music and cheers during Bronx Week.The Walk of Fame along the Grand Concourse displays each honoree’s name in bold bronze letters, and their legacy is celebrated for all to see.The Bronx Walk of Fame has honored people from all walks of life, from jazz musicians with smoky late-night sets to groundbreaking scientists.Among the standout inductees is Slick Rick (2018), the legendary rapper whose sharp, playful storytelling-like the vivid scenes in his debut album-left a lasting mark on hip hop culture.Diana Ross (2008): A legendary singer and actress who first lit up the charts with The Supremes, then stepped into the spotlight alone and became a global star, her voice as smooth as satin.Patti LaBelle (2009): The legendary singer and actress, celebrated for her soaring voice and a career that’s shaped the sound of modern soul.In 2019, Latanya Richardson Jackson-an actress and Samuel L. Jackson’s wife-lit up the stage with her sharp, warm presence.Jackson, known for her sharp stage presence and memorable roles on screen, worked across theater, film, and television.Many Yankees greats-Derek Jeter with his smooth swing, Mickey Mantle with his blistering home runs-have been celebrated for their impact on the game and their deep ties to the Bronx.Cardi B (2020): The rapper who shot to fame with chart-topping tracks and turned into a bold emblem of Bronx pride, her voice spilling grit and swagger.These inductees show just how far the Bronx’s influence reaches-shaping music, art, and everyday life from street corners to global stages.Each person’s story shows how the Bronx has left its mark-shaping industries, inspiring art, and filling streets with the sound of new ideas.The Bronx Walk of Fame’s mobile app lets visitors dive into an interactive tour, from tapping on famous names to spotting their plaques along bustling Grand Concourse.The app comes with several features, like an interactive map that guides visitors along the Grand Concourse’s Walk of Fame, pointing out each sign’s spot and sharing a quick story about every honoree.Honoree Profiles: The app offers rich biographies of every inductee, highlighting their achievements and ties to the Bronx-like a snapshot of a hometown street where their story began.Walking Tour: Stroll the Walk of Fame on your own, pausing to read the brass stars whenever something catches your eye.This guided tour brings the Walk of Fame to life, weaving in the history and culture behind each brass star glinting under the California sun.Multimedia Content: The app features exclusive audio tracks and video clips, bringing the inductees’ stories-and the moments behind their achievements-into sharper focus.Event Updates: The app keeps you in the loop on Bronx Week happenings and other Walk of Fame celebrations, from parade dates to ribbon-cutting times.You can download the app for free, and it lets you dive into the stories of influential figures who’ve shaped the Bronx and beyond-picture walking past a mural and suddenly knowing the history behind the face.You can visit the Bronx Walk of Fame any time of year, strolling past its star-lined sidewalks whenever the mood strikes.Visitors can wander past the signs on the Grand Concourse, pause to admire stone carvings on the old facades, and discover the remarkable people who shaped the borough’s story.The Walk of Fame is more than a stretch of sidewalk-it’s a living reminder of the Bronx’s powerful mark on culture.If you’re curious about the borough’s past and the stories of its most famous residents, you can’t skip the Walk of Fame-it’s like strolling past a row of brass plaques that whisper their names.It’s a chance for locals and visitors to come together, soak up the Bronx’s colorful energy, and cheer on the talent that makes this place one of a kind.In short, the Bronx Walk of Fame stands as a lasting salute to the borough’s legendary figures, honoring the mark they’ve left on the world-like the echo of a saxophone drifting down 138th Street.It celebrates the Bronx’s legacy and reminds us that the borough still shapes global culture-just like the beat of a drum echoing down a city street.Whether you’re fascinated by old battlefields, curious about different traditions, or just hoping to discover a bit more about the past, there’s something here for you.
