TRC’s Black History Month Campaign a Success!
In the month of February, The Renaissance Collaborative led a month-long “Living Landmark” Black History Month campaign that honored the 110th anniversary of the Historic Former Wabash YMCA’s service to the African American community in Bronzeville. Founded in 1911 and dedicated in 1916, the Wabash Y the Midwest’s first YMCA to serve people of color, others were exclusive to white members. As one of the few available recreation sites, the Wabash Y became the heart of African American cultural and economic progress in the early 20th Century.
In honor of this historic building, TRC hosted an host an interactive virtual tour of the landmark that exhibited many of the critical moments in the building’s history, including the announcement of the first “Negro History Week” in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, the forerunner to today’s Black History Month. Visitors of the tour are able to freely move around and interact with the 360-degree panorama inside the building, resulting in an engaging, unique, and educational experience for people of all ages.
Additionally, The “Living Landmark” campaign culminated in a live streamed Facebook event in which TRC interviews Dr. Lionel Kimble, Professor of History at Chicago State University and Vice President of Programs for the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Dr. Kimble discusses the significance of the events happening at the Wabash Y and what we should learn from those moments as we continue to persevere through a historic time ourselves.
Experience the virtual tour at www.LivingLandmark .org
“There’s a need for understanding our history. One of the great things about Carter G. Woodson was when he developed Negro History Week, his philosophy was that we must move past the study of just great men... He wanted to give voice to the ordinary black people who were doing extraordinary things to advance our history.””
