Black Broad Branch Story

This discussion will explore the stories of two Black families along Broad Branch Road NW, who were forced to leave the land and homes they owned in order to make way for the newly developing all-white neighborhood of Chevy Chase DC.

The Black Broad Branch Project was established to document this history, and to advance the vision for repair put forth by the descendants of these families today. The presentation will highlight themes of eminent domain, steering, relocation and resilience.

Participants will include Corey Shaw Jr., co-founder and director of the Black Broad Branch Project, together with descendants of the families who lost their homes here.

This program is presented in association with Undesign the Redline, an exhibit created by Designing the We that explores the history of explicit race-based exclusion, specifically in upper Northwest DC. The exhibit helps us understand why inequities in housing and wealth persist, and encourages us to ask how we can “undesign” these wrongs. Suitable for middle-school aged children and older. Undesign the Redline is on display from April 11-July 11, 2024 at the Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library, 3310 Connecticut Avenue, NW.

Find the schedule of programs, register and learn more at undesigndc.org.