A comprehensive approach to Organizing Community Power to prevent displacement while improving the environment and quality of life for residents in the historic Ivy City community.
Our Work & Impact
Empower DC’s work in Ivy City represents all of our campaign areas, and supports the organized power of neighborhood residents to shape decisions impacting their community. Ivy City, founded in 1872, is one of DC’s most historic Black communities. The historic Crummell School, named for abolitionist preacher Rev Alexander Crummell, was opened in 1911 to serve Black children of Ivy City and Trinidad but was closed by the city in the 1970s, cutting off Ivy City residents from the heart of their community. Empower DC has worked with Ivy City residents since our founding to document neighborhood history, advocate for community improvements, and reclaim Crummell School for public use, not private profit.
After a 20-year campaign that included defeating a polluting bus depot and later high-cost condos on the site, Empower DC secured approval from DC government to renovate the historic Crummell School and its two-acre site as a community center and park, winning $35 million in the DC budget to fund the project. The project is currently in the design phase with an expected groundbreaking summer 2024 and opening in 2026. See the latest design plans for the new Crummell School community center.
Watch this short video to learn more about the importance of the Alexander Crummell School to the Ivy City community.
In addition to the Crummell School, our work in Ivy City includes:
Addressing environmental injustices and land use.
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Monitoring air quality.
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Increasing green space and reducing heat island effect.
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Organizing to shut down the National Engineering Products facility which has operated illegally for 90 years, spewing toxic emissions into the community from the manufacturing of adhesives used by the Navy.
- Engaging residents in the development of the Ivy City Small Area Plan, which will guide future land use.
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Working with tenants to prevent displacement and improve housing conditions.
Documenting and celebrating 150 years of community history
Providing basic services at our Ivy City Clubhouse including food, computer access and activities for youth such as serving as a host site for the Summer Youth Employment Program.
How you can help:
- Donate items for the Clubhouse food pantry.
- Learn about Ivy City History! Download Empower DC’s Ivy City History Booklet, Zines (1, 2 & 3), and listen to to the Ivy City oral history project audio documentary.
- Sign the petition calling on DC government to shut down the National Engineering Products chemical facility.
Contact Sebrena Rhodes for more information.
