Happy Birthday, Adam Blake, Jr!

On Thursday morning, United Way of the Greater Capital Region and The Blake Annex came together with friends and partners to celebrate the birthday of Adam Blake, Jr. by renaming Steuben Place to Blake Way! Through this recognition of Adam and his wife Catherine, we are proud to celebrate their legacy and share their story with even more people who visit our home in Downtown Albany.

All smiles at Thursday's Blake Way street renaming ceremony

DISCUSSING THE FUTURE OF

BLACK ENTREPRENEURSHIP WITH ANGELO MADDOX, JR.

Following Thursday's street renaming ceremony, we were inspired by a moving presentation about the Future of Black Entrepreneurship from motivational speaker and entrepreneur Angelo Maddox, Jr., who owns the popular Fresh & Fly Clothing on South Pearl Street and Motivation Money Making Monday LLC.

BLAKE WAY IN THE NEWS

Check out News10 ABC reporter Courtney Ward's story on Thursday's Blake Way renaming ceremony.

WATCH THE STORY

WHO WAS ADAM BLAKE, JR?

The adopted son of a former slave, Adam Blake, Jr. became one of Albany's most prominent entrepreneurs during the 19th Century. After operating a number of successful restaurants, Adam opened the famed Kenmore Hotel in 1878. The historic building on North Pearl Street now houses apartments, The Kenmore Ballroom, and our home at The Blake Annex. With a growing community of philanthropic-minded nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and individuals, The Blake Annex is a tribute to the hard work, passion, and dedication Adam and Catherine had for advancing downtown Albany and making it a great place to do business.

Artist Liz Zunon's rendering of Adam Blake, Jr. on display at The Blake Annex

The Blake Annex today

The Kenmore Hotel, circa 1900

COME SEE WHAT WE'RE ALL ABOUT

Fueled by United Way of the Greater Capital Region, The Blake Annex is a coworking space in the heart of Downtown Albany at the historic Kenmore building. At The Blake, we aim to change how nonprofits work by bringing like-minded organizations and individuals together to generate a greater impact in the Capital Region community. Please pay us a visit and see for yourself that nonprofits work better together.