April 14th, 2019, on the set of “Here and Now” with host Sandra Bookman, and Jihaad Muhammad, the grandson of Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, promoting the street co-naming honoring his iconic grandparents. “The street naming of Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis is one of the most meaningful accomplishments in my career."
Minerva Diaz
Minerva Diaz orchestrated the Harlem street co-naming of Ruby Dee Place and Ossie Davis Way at the northeast corner of 123rd Street and Saint Nicholas Avenue. Minerva’s friend & mentor, Cliff Frazier, had strong ties with the legendary couple, and this gesture stood as a heartfelt tribute to Mr. Frazier, whose impact extended far and wide, touching the lives of countless individuals, including Minerva herself.
PRESS & SOCIAL MEDIA —————————————————————————————————————————————————————--
A huge special thank you to the incredible creatives: Denise Silva-Dennis, Luisa Lopez Celada, Minerva Diaz, Julia Ingall, and Lennox Commissiong for your willingness, kindness, trust, dedication, and gratitude to display your remarkable works at Gracie Mansion.
Gracie Mansion
Typically, we don’t visit places one week after the other, but I felt the need to do it because… I went into the lobby and saw this (referring to Minerva Diaz’s installation art).
NY1
Minerva transformed this hallway in Jacob Riis Houses into this incredible Winter Wonderland, completely made out of paper, and I just knew I had to bring that transformational spirit to the [Abrons] Art Center.
NY1
When people step off the elevator onto the second floor at 1225 FDR Drive, they are transported into a colorful spring garden made of paper flowers, trees, and birds. The artwork decorating the hallway, walls, and ceiling in the Riis Houses development was created by resident Minerva Diaz, …
NYCHA Journal
Her dedication to beautifying these communities not only enhances living environments but also uplifts residents' spirits. Diaz's love for art serves as a powerful catalyst for positive change, making her an invaluable contributor to the betterment of public housing in the city.
We Love NYC
Artist Minerva, a resident of Jacob Riis Houses on the Lower East Side decided to transform her floor into a magnificent art installation one day. Since then, it has continued to grow and change with the seasons. This is Minerva's life's work - thank you for sharing your artwork with your neighbors and us!
Public Housing Community Fund
Cliff Frazier, a man for all seasons and a life of purpose. In a life that was as inexhaustible as it was purposeful, it’s not easy to label Cliff Frazier. … By Herb Boyd, Aliya Frazier, and Minerva Diaz
New York Beacon News
She [Minerva Diaz] expressed gratitude to them and to Cliff Frazier, founder of DCC, who encouraged her 3-year effort to have streets co-named in their honor. She succeeded, and in April 2019, throngs gathered on the NE corner of West 123rd Street and Saint Nicholas Avenue—cheering as two historic streets were renamed: Ruby Dee Place and Ossie Davis Way.
Alliance of Ethics & Art
"The landscape of media changed because of that program (referring to Community Film Workshop Council)," said Minerva Diaz, executive director at the Dwyer Cultural Center. Minerva Diaz’s artwork is featured throughout the video clip.
NY1
“Three years ago, our executive director, Minerva Diaz, came to me with an idea about the street namings to honor my dear friends (Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis),” Frazier said. “And after a long and tedious process, she got it done in late 2018.”
Amsterdam News/Quote by Cliff Frazier
Timing the stamp exhibit to the recent opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C., organizers tapped Manhattan-based visual artist Minerva Diaz to be a part of the year-long exhibit.
The Journal News/lohud
A heartfelt moment occurred when [Tuskegee Airmen Dr. Roscoe] Brown ceremoniously placed his signature on a painting by Minerva Diaz called “Tuskegee Eclipse,” alongside the signatures of the other living Tuskegee Airmen.
Amsterdam News
The delegation, which included Kwame and Sikolo Brathwaite, Dr. Shirley Smith, Cinque Brath, John Brathwaite, Dr. Leonard Jeffries, Dr. Georgina Falu, Daa'iya El-Sanusi, Joslin and Jelani Richards, Minerva Diaz, Cliff Frazier and Ademola Olugebefola, who posed the possibility of Namibia hosting a conference of NGOs.
Amsterdam News
Ms Diaz displayed one of her paintings, depicting a young girl reading a book of thank-you letters with a cover photo of Malala, the articulate Pakistani girl who was willing to give up her life for the right of girls to be educated.
Committee on Teaching About the United Nations
Among young people of outstanding courage, we have to recognize Malala Yousafzai, a 15-year-old Pakistani girl, who stood up for the rights of women and girls to obtain an education, and have freedom and self-determination (referring to Minerva Diaz’s Malala piece). Image published in the journal.
World Council for Peoples of the United Nations
The Cosmos Revolution, a painting by Minerva Diaz, was inspired by the words of Hiroshima's Mayor Akiba on the occasion of the 62nd Annual UN DPINGO Conference, Mexico City, 2009. Image published in the journal.
World Council for Peoples of the United Nations