Phyllis Wheatley Community Center Centennial: Honoring Our Past, Building Our Future

October 17, 1924: Phyllis Wheatley House is Founded

Phyllis Wheatley Community Center is celebrating a milestone anniversary today. The North Minneapolis agency opened its doors to the Twin Cities’ African American community 100 years ago on October 17, 1924 — a pivotal time when Black artists, writers, and thinkers were leading the Harlem Renaissance, a movement that changed the national narrative by celebrating Black culture while Jim Crow laws reinforced systemic racism and segregation, making it dangerous to be Black in America.

Phyllis Wheatley House was born from both idealism and practicality. Members of the Women’s Cooperative Alliance, now the WCA Foundation, recognized the urgent need for social services in the growing African American community in Minneapolis and took action, founding an agency that would catalyze change, work to establish equitable opportunity, and advance equality for all.

Phyllis Wheatley House served as a community hub for African Americans during the 1920s and 1930s

A Community takes Root

The first agency in Minnesota dedicated solely to serving African Americans, Phyllis Wheatley House quickly became the epicenter of Black life in Minneapolis, providing vital resources such as career training, childcare, recreational opportunities, and a welcoming space for individuals to organize and advocate for their rights.

Moreover, fostered within the walls of the former Talmud Torah school that served as Phyllis Wheatley House’s first home was a remarkable sense of community that endures still today. Strengthened by decades of shared experience, bound by resilience in the face of adversity, and united in the triumphs of progress, the African American community in Minneapolis is cohesive and united, banding together in the hardest of times, forming a support network that spans decades and generations.

Ours is a community of endurance and tenacity, committed to nurturing the bond that sustains and inspires us all to persevere in the fight for equal rights and equitable opportunity. From the community, our staff learn what must be done; alongside it, we are empowered to act. It is with this understanding that Phyllis Wheatley has made great strides toward the common goal of creating a city where everyone has the ability to find success and follow their dreams.

Phyllis Wheatley Community Center Comes to Be

Throughout the years, the need in the Black community evolved, and so too did the mission of Phyllis Wheatley. Transitioning from Phyllis Wheatley House to Phyllis Wheatley Community Center in 1962, our agency remains dedicated to staying abreast of the most critical issues and adapting our services to meet that need. We stand ready to pivot in the face of new challenges, informed by the deep trust of our neighbors and allies of 100 years. Today, Phyllis Wheatley serves as a hub for holistic support, offering programs that tackle domestic violence, provide early childhood education, and deliver essential family services.

W. Gertrude Brown, Phyllis Wheatley House's first head resident, with children attending daycare.

Legendary Leadership Built Upon Community

Throughout our history, we have been fortunate to have remarkable leaders who have shaped our mission and vision. Their dedication and passion have been instrumental in advancing our work. However, it is the unwavering support and resilience of the community that have made these efforts possible. Together, we have forged a path toward equality and empowerment—one that could not have been achieved alone. It is this vibrant community that sustains our existence, and its support that allows us to continue to move forward.

A Shared History

Phyllis Wheatley’s history and Minneapolis’ Black history of are inextricably linked; one cannot exist without the other. This shared journey reflects the struggles and triumphs of a community that has faced systemic barriers yet continues to strive for a brighter future. The resilience and determination of the people we serve are what empower us to give voice to the unheard and demand necessary change. There is still much to be done, and we recognize that the only way to achieve our goals is to work in partnership with the community we exist to serve.

Looking to the Future

Juneteenth celebration at Phyllis Wheatley Community Center

Looking ahead, we are renewing our commitment to outdoor equity through the restoration of Camp Katharine Parsons, an idyllic property donated to the agency in 1956 by a long-time board member with instruction that it become a day camp for African American youth, ensuring access to nature and recreational opportunities for all. We are dedicated to building generational wealth in the community through comprehensive financial education programs designed for single Black mothers and families. We’re committed to building out programming that develops youth through mentorship, education, and support, from birth through high school graduation, nurturing the next generation of leaders.

We will continue to persevere alongside our community until the opportunities Minneapolis offers are accessible to all. The resilience forged in our agency’s early years sustains our efforts—an enduring determination among those who have faced oppression and exclusion but continue to fight for their basic American rights.

Celebrate with Us

To commemorate this momentous occasion, we invite the community to join us for a celebration this evening —

Thursday, October 17

7pm

Phyllis Wheatley Community Center

1301 N. 10th Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55411

This gathering will be a time for reflection, connection, and joy as we honor our past and look forward to the future.

Katharine Parsons, a longtime board member and donor of Camp Katharine Parsons site.

Centennial Gala — April 11, 2025

On April 11, 2025, we will host a centennial fundraising gala, Honoring Our Past, Building Our Future at Quincy Hall. This event will unite supporters, community members, and allies, and raise funds that will drive our mission further and open more doors for our community, creating pathways for individuals to discover their strengths and take control of their futures. For more information, tickets, and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.phylliswheatley.org/centennial or email KatyN@phylliswheatley.org.

Support Phyllis Wheatley's Future

Funds raised will support our current programs addressing domestic violence, early childhood education, and essential family services, and help us pursue future goals, including restoring Camp Katharine Parsons, where we will begin again to provide youth with the developmental experiences they need to thrive and inspire them to dream big; developing comprehensive youth programming that engages children from their earliest years through high school graduation and beyond; and providing financial education to build generational wealth and break the decades-long cycle of poverty that keeps our community from thriving.

Together, we can uplift and strengthen our community, ensuring every individual has the opportunity they deserve, the restoration they need, and the inspiration to become anything they want to be. Together with our beloved community, we honor our past and build upon the achievements of the last century to create a brighter future for African Americans in our city.