Tree of Hope
On the sidewalk in fron of the Lafayette stands the stump of the original Tree of Hope, a Harlem landmark for many years. Out-of-work Negro actors and actresses used to stand around the tree and exchange information about jobs. When one of them got work he ascribed his good luck to the tree and would kiss it in gratitude. From this custom the acquired its name. When it had to be cut down because of age it was replaced by another that stands a few feet away. the new one was dedicated by Bill " Bojangles" Robinson, famed dancer and Harlem's leading stage luminary. One of the community's wealthiest and most active citizens, Robinson is also the locality mayor of Harlem. (A locality mayoralty is an unofficial position that is given to a popular citizen by other members of the community.)(New York City Guide pp 261-262)