1200 U Street, NW
From a press release:
“The True Reformer Building, built in the early 1900s, was a physical manifestation of Black resistance in Washington, D.C.
Locked out of major financial institutions, a group of Black Washingtonians pooled their resources together to buy the land, contracted a Black architect to design the building, and worked with Black contractors and subcontractors to build this historic community space. It was the first building in the nation to be financed, built, and owned by the Black community after Reconstruction.
In the over 100 years of the True Reformer Building’s existence, it has served as a shapeshifter for the surrounding community, morphing to its needs. If its walls could talk, it would tell you about one of Duke Ellington’s first performances, held in its auditorium. It would tell you about Joe Louis shuffling across its floor and swiping the air during boxing practice. It would tell you about the organizations that invited their neighbors in to provide them with resources and support. It would tell you about the community meetings and celebrations that packed people within its walls.
That’s why the renovation of the True Reformer Building, which now serves as Public Welfare Foundation’s headquarters, is a critical part of the Foundation’s mission and footprint.
We are standing on hallowed ground that has an explicit purpose: to serve as an anchor in the District, sustaining and building community. In a rapidly gentrifying landscape, the True Reformer Building should stand tall as a critical resource for those who share our mission to create justice, equity, and safety for all. Our refreshed community spaces provide us with more capacity to do just that.
If you are a nonprofit looking for an event space for 15-300 people, we would love to welcome you – free of charge. Our website provides information about the available spaces with updated images. If you are ready to request the space, please do so here. If you have any additional questions about hosting an event at the True Reformer Building, please contact us at [email protected]. Due to the high volume of requests, please allow at least 48 hours for a response.
We are incredibly grateful to be the stewards of such a significant and vital community resource, and we hope you’ll join us in spreading the word of its existence and availability among your colleagues and friends.”