John Lewis Steptoe Place (Brooklyn)
Present name:Monroe Street
Location:Between Ralph Avenue and Howard Avenue
Honoree: John Lewis Steptoe (1950-1989) was an award-winning author of children’s books. In 1969, at the age of 18, his first book ‘Stevie,’ based on his childhood at 840 Monroe Street in BedStuy, received national attention when it was published in its entirety in Life magazine. In his 20-year career, he illustrated 16 picture books, ten of which he also wrote. He hoped that his books would lead children, especially African-American children, to feel pride in their origins. Since his death Public School 181 has been named the John Lewis Steptoe School. His book ‘Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters’ was honored by the New York Public Library as one of the 100 Great Children’s Books of the last 100 Years, snd has also been adapted as a play. (Mealy)
LL:2016/92, 2017/45