The Wabash Y

The Former Wabash Y is the historic landmark that I helped save from demolition with four churches in the 1990s. This building is the birthplace of Black History Month. It is where thousands of African Americans first came during the Great Migration seeking a better life. It was the only social place for people of color during segregation. Most people of any renown hung out here, and today most people 60 and above learned to swim at this Y. Middle-class African Americans will talk about their parents staying at the Y during their journey to Chicago. This building’s significance to everyday African Americans throughout the early 20th Century is unrivaled.

Today this building is owned by The Renaissance Collaborative and I serve as the Executive Director. It contains 101 units of supportive housing for formerly homeless adults and also hosts three workforce training programs. Anyone needing help with job readiness and placement can contact our team to get help!

(Info on tours will be sent when we are ready. I’m hoping to start doing tours in July!)