U Street Corridor: Building Black Broadway Walking Tour

Once known as Washington’s “Black Broadway,” U Street has long been the cultural and civic heart of the District’s Black community. The neighborhood, developed by and for a segregated population, fostered a flourishing, self-sustaining community rich in architecture, music, and panache. Legendary performers like Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Cab Calloway once graced its stages. At the same time, local Black architects designed churches, offices, and homes that still shape the neighborhood’s character today. On this walking tour, we trace U Street’s layered history through its built environment—from the Civil War to the Harlem Renaissance of DC, through the upheaval of the 1968 riots, and into today’s evolving story of change, resilience, and community.

We start at the African American Civil War Memorial, honoring 200,000 Black soldiers who fought for the Union. We'll walk along U Street, once lined with theaters, clubs, and institutions that earned it the nickname “Black Broadway.” We’ll explore the contributions of Black architects, business owners, and leaders who shaped this thriving neighborhood amid segregation, with stops at cornerstones like Lee’s Flower Shop and the Industrial Savings Bank. We’ll stop outside the childhood home of Duke Ellington and the historic Whitelaw Hotel, a beacon of Black hospitality during Jim Crow. Back on the main drag, we’ll admire the Lincoln Theatre and stop outside the legendary Ben’s Chili Bowl. Finally, we veer off U Street, passing the city’s oldest Black Catholic church as we make our way to Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park. Here, we explore the park's role as a demographic boundary, its ties to urban renewal, civil rights-era activism, and the forces shaping U Street today.