The McGaw YMCA celebrates Black History Month as an important opportunity to learn and reflect. Rooted in our mission, the McGaw Y strives to be a welcoming place of belonging for all who walk through our doors. This month—and every month—we reaffirm our commitment to being a place where everyone can learn, grow, and connect. We encourage you to explore the YMCA’s connection to Black History Month, read about Black leaders in the Y movement, and participate in events throughout Evanston to deepen your understanding and contribute to the ongoing conversation. Discover the Y’s Connection to Black History Month In 1915, at the Wabash Avenue YMCA in Chicago, Carter G. Woodson organized the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, which researched and celebrated the achievements of Black Americans. This led to his starting Negro History Week, the precursor to Black History Month. Discover the Y’s Connection to Black […]

The history of the YMCA – like the history of the United States – is a story of incremental progress toward being a place for all. As we celebrate Black History Month, we are honoring the stories of Black leaders who helped move the YMCA – and America – forward, as well as recognizing that history continues to be created each and every day. Anthony Bowen A former enslaved man and the first Black American to become a clerk in the U.S. Patent Office, Anthony Bowen founded the first YMCA for the Black community in Washington, D.C., in 1853, eight years before the Civil War. Additional Black Ys and college chapters were established in the following decades, with membership reaching 28,000 nationwide by the mid-1920s. William Hunton The son a freed enslaved person from Canada, William Hunton began his Y work in 1888 as the first employed YMCA secretary at

Dear McGaw YMCA community, We stand by our values. At McGaw YMCA, we are more than just a Y—we are a community built on the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. We remain steadfast in our vision of being a place FOR ALL, where every person matters. McGaw YMCA will continue to be a safe and welcoming space for our members, staff, residents, and guests, regardless of immigration status. We take seriously our responsibility to ensure everyone has access to the resources, information, and support they need to grow, work, learn, and thrive in a secure environment. Thank you for joining us in our commitment to making McGaw a place where everyone feels safe and valued. Together, Monique Parsons President/CEO McGaw YMCA