As power brokers they would dominate public life in Harlem for a generation .
They broke racial barriers , attained offices once viewed as not possible for black Americans to achieve , and paved the way for many others around the nation .
As power brokers Americans would dominate public life in Harlem for a generation .
They broke racial barriers , attained offices once viewed as not possible for black Americans to achieve , and paved the way for many others around the nation .