Summary:

- The article explores the life and work of W. Joseph Black, an African American architect and builder who played a significant role in the development of Harlem, New York, in the early 20th century.
- It discusses how Black's construction projects, including apartment buildings and commercial spaces, contributed to the economic and cultural growth of Harlem, which was a hub for the Black community during the Harlem Renaissance.
- The article also examines the challenges and discrimination that Black and other African American architects and builders faced in the industry, and how their contributions have been largely overlooked in the historical narrative of urban development in the United States.