The history of the YMCA – like the history of Evanston – is a story of incremental progress toward greater inclusion, equity, and justice. As we honor and celebrate Black history in the month of February and every day, we remain committed to our work of becoming an anti-racist, multicultural organization where everyone can be, belong and become. We are committed to learning from our past, listening to our present, and making changes that will advance racial justice, health, and healing, and break cycles of harm, for generations to come.
Join us in celebrating #BlackHistoryMonth as we share inspiring stories that have shaped the Y movement on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Discover the Y’s Connection to Black History Month
Carter G. Woodson, known as the “Father of Black History,” wanted the study of past Black life to have a significant impact. Learn more about the Black History Month’s roots with the YMCA.
Discover the Y’s Connection to Black History Month – McGaw YMCA
The Emerson Street Y: An Unforgettable Legacy
The YMCA has been in Evanston for 139 years. For much of this time, Evanston had two branches: the Evanston YMCA, known today as McGaw YMCA, which was founded in 1885 and open to young white men; and the Emerson Street YMCA, which was opened in 1914 as a place for Black Evanstonians until it was closed in 1969 following desegregation of Y facilities. We invite you to celebrate and honor the unforgettable history of the Emerson Street Y.
Emerson Street Branch YMCA – McGaw YMCA
Start the month by watching our three-part video series, Unforgettable: Memories of the Emerson Street Branch YMCA. We encourage you to reflect upon the legacy of the Emerson Street Y as an anchor of Evanston’s Black community between 1909 and 1969.
Watch the three-part series on the McGaw Y YouTube Channel
Join Us for We Wear Black on February 23
As part of Black History Month, we invite you to join the Y’s National African American Resource Network (AARN), McGaw YMCA, and other YMCA’s across the nation for WE WEAR BLACK day on Friday, February 23, to be in unity with those who are working daily to fight injustice, prejudice and inequity.
Starting in 2020, YMCAs across the country committed to being anti-racist organizations in a show of solidarity by wearing black on the fourth Friday of February. WE WEAR BLACK was created by YMCA of the USA’s AARN, as a response to the societal awakening to systematic racism. The goal is for all YMCAs to become anti-racist, multicultural organizations that intentionally lead and boldly model diverse and inclusive cultures that impact and strengthen the foundations of our communities.