If you are a Washingtonian, you have probably walked past the True Reformer Building, sitting on the corner of 12th and U Street Northwest. Until recently, the shades were drawn but now, on the anniversary of the building’s dedication in 1903, Public Welfare Foundation (PWF) is excited to invite the DC community into the space.
Though not immediately evident to passersby’s, the True Reformer Building is an incredible historic space. Designed by John Anderson Lankford, the District’s first recorded licensed Black architect, the building is the first building financed, designed, and constructed by Black Americans after Reconstruction. The building, conceived by the Grand Fountain of the United Order of the True Reformers, was emblematic of their efforts to nurture a Black middle class out of the terror of Jim Crow through self-sufficiency, self-governance, and collectivism.
Over time the organization, founded by Rev. William Washington Browne, grew to include a bank, a local newspaper, benefits associations, and numerous properties. At their peak, the True Reformers were the largest black fraternal society in the United States.
Over its century-long existence, the True Reformer Building has been used by a host of community organizations for events, celebrations, concerts and public forums. Legends, including DC-native Duke Ellington, have used the space for their talents. As a homage to his impact, PWF restored a mural of Ellington that past May, and it now sits on the side of the building, overlooking U Street.
PWF purchased the True Reformer Building in 1999 with the hopes of keeping the spirit of the True Reformers and their vision for a community space designed to promote social change alive. In that vein, the Foundation recently renovated the space, converting empty storefronts to community rooms available for public use at no cost.
With community spaces that can host up to 200 people, the True Reformer Building is a great option for DC-area “True Reformers” to gather, ideate, and enact change. We proudly re-dedicated this space to you. Learn more on how to book space at the True Reformer Building.
