Tour The Homes of Our Historical Black Leaders, Singers and More

One of the most beloved and controversial jazz singers of our community had impeccable taste in real estate. Her townhouse in the Upper West Side was the location where she released “Lady in Satin” in the late 50s and was also the last property she owned before her tragic death, per Architectural Digest.

A classic Manhattan townhouse. Those stairs make for a beautiful entrance.

Perfect place for entertaining but most importantly, staying warm.

This kitchen is so beautiful, you’d find an excuse to cook every day.

Assumably where Lady Day would take her rest. Tall ceilings and walk-in closet? Only the best for such a queen.

Perfect place for a beautiful diva like Billie Holiday to do her makeup.

Who was considered the architect of the Little Rock Nine had quite the taste in architecture in her own home. Bates lived in her home with her husband during the Central High School desegregation crisis from 1957 to 1958. Her home became a place of refuge for the nine students who were sent to the school to desegregate it, per the National Park Service.

Old-fashioned but still a stylish design.

That blue paint is the perfect pop of color against the shades of brown.

That television is a blast from the past!

The lamp, the rug and even the couch give you a taste of Bates’ style.

Anyone getting nostalgia from this kitchen?

Is it really a living room without a fireplace?

The bedframe’s special pockets for the radio takes you back in time.

The jazz legend lived in his home in Queens with his wife from 1943 until he died in 1971. Now, it’s a museum keeping his legacy alive.

From the outside, the home looks like any other on the block, but believe us it’s not.

I don’t know what’s more captivating, the blue or the crazy amount of mid-century cabinet space.

The perfect sleek space to entertain guests.

The clamshell sink, the gold, the marble - in perfect condition even after all this time.

The beautiful chandelier bouncing light off that silver wallpaper.

The well preserved art pieces and outstanding portraits of Armstrong and his wife, Lucille.

Perfect for cookout season. There’s so much more on the tour.

The self-made millionaire built her mansion north of Manhattan called “Villa Lewaro” from the funds she made off the creation of her own hair product line. To be sure, Walker was probably one of the first to introduce us to Black women in luxury.

The New York Times wrote in back in 1917 when Walker nearly completed the estate, “Plans for furnishing the house call for a degree of elegance and extravagance that a princess might envy.”

Walker only lived in the home for a short time before she died in 1919 but she had already made her mark and showed African Americans what they could achieve. Look at this photo. Oh to see the reactions of these women the first time they stepped foot on the property.

Even in vintage form, you can tell every inch of the home was decorated to perfection.

The detail in the ceiling told me everything I need to know about how Ms. Walker was living.

Those pieces of African art are pleasant Easter eggs around the home.

Because who wouldn’t have a large piano to fill some space in a big house like that? Walker knew how to entertain.

The infamous abolitionist and social justice reformer’s Victorian-style home near Washington, D.C. has a whopping 21 rooms! You’ll be even more astounded by the fine details.

You can tell from the outside how expansive the inside is.

You just know the inside of this house is going to be beautiful by the door knocker alone.

Douglass’ chair was made from Haitian craftsmen.

Literally frozen in time with the most charming historical details.

Oh to use a vintage sewing machine...

Of course the master bedroom would have a fireplace. And look at that beautiful mirror.

The legendary singer, songwriter and pianist grew up in the small town of Greenville, Florida. His childhood home has since been renovated and curated into a museum where folks from all around could walk the floors where lil’ Ray used to walk before becoming a national icon.

Is it really a southern home without a wrap around porch?

The color of the wooden fixtures make everything more vibrant.

Yes, the legend used to tap on these very keys.

Every southern home is charming in all its simplicity.

The civil rights giant had a very humble but solid middle-class beginning before rising to be one of the most influential voices in the Civil Rights Era right in the heart of Old Fourth Ward, Atlanta.

The Victorian home was built in 1985 for a white family. MLK’s maternal grandparents bought the home some years later. All great homes have a wrap around porch.

Can’t you imagine young MLK and his siblings and parents eating at this table during Sunday dinners.

When’s the last time you’ve seen an old fashioned oven like that?

The wallpaper makes the entire room feel homey.

Imagine how many memories young Martin Luther King made in this room with his family. Before you buy tickets to tour the home in Atlanta, make sure its not under renovation.