Bed-Stuy Subway May Get Permanent Aretha Franklin Memorial Friday

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN — The MTA is planning to show the late Aretha Franklin a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T when they install signs in her honor at the Franklin Avenue station, organizers said.

LeRoy McCarthy, of entertainment company Heterodoxx INC., told Patch his proposed signs are slated to go up Friday inside the A and C train station at Fulton Street and Franklin Avenue.

"It is great to honor Queen Aretha Franklin, and at the same time advance the significance of RESPECT," McCarthy said in an email.

"The impact of Aretha Franklin's voice and legacy can continue to make a difference in society."

The MTA did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment, but McCarthy said agency spokesperson Jon Weinstein approved phase one of his project Thursday morning.

McCarthy and his partner in the project, artist Vincent Ballentine, still have hopes for a large R-E-S-P-E-C-T mural on the station's exterior and a possible Aretha Franklin MetroCard, he said.

"Many short term and long term positives can be gained from people acknowledging the word RESPECT, in the neighbor, citywide, and beyond," said McCarthy. "Tomorrow will hopefully be phase one."

The concept for these permanent subway memorial grew out of a more temporary homage McCarthy and another artist made the day after Franklin's death, when they added the legendary singer's first name to signs at the Franklin Avenue C train and shuttle station.

A worker was seen erasing the letters the next day.

While the original memorial honored the diva's name, McCarthy decided to focus on one Franklin's most iconic songs because it "encapsulates Aretha Franklin, what she stood for, what she demanded, plus a movement," he said.

"Everybody deserves R-E-S-P-E-C-T."

Photo courtesy of LeRoy McCarthy