Lena Horne Becomes First Black Woman to Have Broadway Theater Named After Her

A Broadway theater was officially named after Lena Horne, the iconic Brooklyn actress, singer, and civil rights activist who died in 2010, on Tuesday, November 1, according to the city of New York.

Horne is the first black woman to have a Broadway theater named for her.

According to a report by the Nederlander Organization, the owner and operator of the former Brooks Atkinson Theatre embarked on a mission to rename the theater after a “prominent Black theatre legend” during the summer of 2020.

This footage shows the new marquee being unveiled in front of a crowd. Credit: Brady Schwind via Storyful

Video transcript

- 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

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[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]

8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

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[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]

8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

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[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]

8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

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[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]