Dear Residents, Neighbors, and Friends: 

Before the Harlem Renaissance kicked off in the 1920s, the U Street Corridor boasted the largest urban population of African Americans in the nation. It essentially functioned as a city within a city, where African Americans were free from the shackles of  Jim Crow and could enjoy Black-owned or Black-friendly businesses, churches, theaters, gyms, or other community spaces free.  

For the first half of the 20th century, “Black Broadway,” a name coined by actress, author, and singer Pearl Bailey, was the hub for creativity, activism, and community – a testament to the incredible power of Black voices shaping our world. Iconic figures like Louis Armstrong, Madame Lillian Evanti, Billey Holiday, Miles Davis, and Jelly Roll Morton performed in local clubs, while figures like Zora Neale Hurston and Mary McLeod Bethune found refuge.  

The area also was home to the country’s first African American YMCA, which opened in 1853 and functioned, in part, as a meeting space for civil rights activists. During Prohibition, many of the District’s thousands of speakeasies were located along the corridor, which historian Garret Peck credits for helping to integrate the deeply segregated city. You can learn more about U Street and other notable DC neighborhoods on the DC Heritage Trail. 

Although the history of Black Broadway has been long forgotten by some, it is a reminder that Black artists have played a pivotal role in shaping the cultural and political landscape, not only of the District but also of the nation.  For centuries, the arts, whether visual and performing, literature, music, culinary, and so on, have been a powerful medium for storytelling, activism, and social change.  



As we celebrate Black History Month, we must take a moment to honor the legacy of Black artists and to reaffirm our commitment to amplify Black voices and support emerging talent. In doing so, we reiterate our commitment to advancing racial justice and equity and ensure that the arts remain a vibrant reflection of our shared humanity. 

Together, let us continue to honor the resilience, creativity, and enduring spirit of the Black community, not just in February, but all year long.