An unassuming building in New York City educated Black leaders. What will become of it?

Colored School No 4' was built in 1850 to serve Black kids, but it's unclear what the city plans to do with it today

In the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, a modest brick building stands as a silent witness to nearly two centuries of Black American history. Once known as Colored School No 4, this unassuming structure was designated a landmark in 2023, sparking conversations about both its past and future.

The school, which served as a beacon of education for Black children in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, is now at the center of efforts to preserve and celebrate the contributions of Black Americans to New York City's cultural and historical fabric. That preservation comes at a time when diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which seek to promote the fair treatment and full participation of all people, are under attack at all levels of government.