The Power of 101 Years:
Together, We Keep Growing
As we step into our second century of service, we reflect with pride and gratitude on a journey that began on October 17, 1924. During our Centennial Celebration, we marked 100 years of perseverance, progress and purpose. At 101, we look forward to renewed energy and a powerful vision for future generations. Our story is one of endurance, hope and resilience.
Our Legacy and Our Purpose
Built as a part of the settlement movement, the Phyllis Wheatley House foundation was and is based upon the understanding that every person deserves dignity, opportunity and a sense of belonging.
The Women’s Coalition Association (WCA) founded the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center and created a haven where African Americans arriving in Minneapolis could find housing, education and a village during a time when exclusion was widespread. This vision continues today as we remain a place where people of all ages come to grow, connect and build brighter futures.
Empowering the Next Generation:
DigitalTechWorks Academy™ programs: ManCode, Girls Who Code, and E-Sports prepare youth for success in the 21st century.
Generational Wealth Building:
Targeting women who are head of household with financial wealth building education, bank accounts and saving’s match for homeownership, advanced education, or starting a micro business, will transform lives across generations.·
Mary T. Wellcome Child Development Center:
We ensure children – ages 6-weeks to 5 years old, regardless of income, receive a solid foundation for achieving their goals throughout their education and lives.·
Youth Leadership and Basketball:
Our basketball and mentorship programs teach teamwork, discipline and leadership.·
Parenting Skills:
Building economic empowerment programs help families build stability, independence and lasting prosperity.·
HOPE Restorative Programs - Recovery and Healing:
Our support services for individuals and families in need of restorative services that provide a path toward recovery, strength and renewal empowering both men and women to reclaim their lives.
Protecting a Legacy, Building the Future:
Camp Katharine Parsons We are immensely proud to be the stewards of Camp Katharine Parsons, one of the nation’s rare and beautiful Black-owned camps. Tucked away on the stunning shores of Oak Lake, this is a place where history meets tomorrow.
The adventure continues! Our current programming, like environmental studies, runs strong through 2026. But behind the scenes, we're building something extraordinary. We’ll begin a landmark renovation to restore this jewel to its full glory, ready to welcome a new generation when we proudly reopen in 2027. The legend continues!
Please join Us in Building the Next 100 Years
Your support keeps this vital work moving forward. Each donation strengthens families, uplifts children and empowers the next generation to lead with pride and purpose.
Phyllis Wheatley Community Center Appoints Chief Bryan Tyner as Executive Director
Our Mission:
We create pathways for individuals to discover their strengths and take control of their futures.
"100 years later, Phyllis Wheatley center continues to be a beacon for the Black community"
Minnesota Star Tribune
"In the early decades of the 20th century, when Black writers and performers visited Minneapolis, they needed a place to stay. Even celebrities such as W.E.B. Du Bois, Marian Anderson, Duke Ellington and Langston Hughes were not welcome in local hotels.
So they stayed at Phyllis Wheatley House." Read the story.
History Rooted in the Movement for Change
As we reflect on our century of service to the community, we are also looking ahead and planning our future goals — around outdoor activities at Camp Katharine Parsons, building stronger, more impactful programs for youth and teens that provide the mentorship and support they need to find their passions and follow their dreams, and building community wealth for generations through financial education and support for single Black mothers and families.
Read more in the blog and donate to support our mission!
Thank you for being a part of the Phyllis
Wheatley community!