August 27, 2025 – Harlem has lost its lion, and one of its most distinguished leaders. Charles B. Rangel, who passed away on May 26, 2025, at age 94, was more than a congressman—he was the heart and soul of his community for nearly half a century.

Born and raised in Harlem, Charles Rangel never forgot his roots in the neighborhood that shaped him. His life story embodied the American journey of resilience and service: from overcoming a difficult childhood as a high school dropout to becoming a decorated Korean War hero who earned a Purple Heart and Bronze Star, and ultimately rising to become one of the most influential voices in Congress.

“There’s a reason why they call him the ‘Lion of Lenox Avenue’ because, you know, he can make you feel like you were the most important person in the world, but when it came to his community, he guarded it and he guarded it with his life,” said Keith Wright, county leader of the Manhattan Democratic Party.