Michigan Avenue YMCA

Before the YMCA was built

Photo credit: UB Archives, Buffalo Rising

Location

Four story brick building

Demolished. Vacant lot for four decades.

1926 -'John Edmonston Brent became the second African-American in the country, to design a �colored� YMCA. Brent was not only the architect for this building, but he also over-saw the construction and ensured that many skilled African Americans found employment on this two year project.'
- 'The Y, originally estimated to cost $200,000 was built at a cost of $285,000.'
- 'Brent far exceeded his position of architect and builder to play an on-going role as member of the Board of Directors, fundraiser, consumer and contributor. He was intimately involved with the Y for the rest of his life.'

via Barbara A. Seals Nevergold, PhD, Co-founder of the Uncrowned Queens Institute

Often visited by prominent black figures coming to Buffalo, such as activist W.E.B. DuBois WBFO