Modern History

The Thurgood Marshall Center Trust (TMCT) has a central mission to promote the civic engagement of its community. One of the avenues this mission uses is through the training of its young people. Created in 2020, the TMCT Student Programs, a nonprofit, membership organization, centered locally but nationally affiliated for social and economic justice, carries out this legacy. The values of TMCT Student Programs are deeply rooted in the principles of our namesake, Justice Thurgood Marshall. The motto is WWTMD ~ “What Would Thurgood Marshall Do?”.  Whether enrolled in programs for S.T.E.A.M. | Leadership Development | Diversity & Inclusion, we want our young people to always assess before acting. In their mindfulness, the TMCT Student Programs are training them to consider, “What Would Justice Thurgood Marshall Do?” ~ WWJTMD.

Shaw Ad Hoc Coalition was formed and met with the Metropolitan Washington YMCA Board of Directors in an effort to save the Anthony Bowen Building.

The District Mayor’s Office became involved through the Mayor’s Committee on the Anthony Bowen Building. The Commission included local citizens, Anthony Bowen Committee of Management representatives and the Metropolitan Washington YMCA Board of Directors.

The Shaw Ad Hoc Coalition filed a lawsuit in the D.C. Superior Court against the Metropolitan Washington YMCA.

As a provision of the lawsuit, the Shaw Heritage Trust was formed in 1985. Members of the Board were selected by three elements: Shaw Ad Hoc Coalition, the Metropolitan YMCA and Jeffrey Cohen, a real estate developer who assisted in resolving the dispute. February 26, 1985: The Shaw Heritage Trust leased the building from the Metropolitan Washington YMCA to begin the restoration and revitalization of the building. The Shaw Heritage Trust fashioned a plan to redevelop the building and held a competition to select architects: Shalom Barane & Associates. The Shaw Heritage Trust identified non-profit tenants – one being the anchor — For Love of Children (FLOC) – to implement plans that would shape the vision of the building’s future in the community. As result of this process, the Anthony Bowen Landmark Building Trust was established.

January 10, 1989: The Shaw Heritage Trust bought the building from the Metropolitan Washington YMCA and sold it to the Anthony Bowen Landmark Building Trust

April 1990 The Thurgood Marshall Center Trust, Inc. (TMCT) incorporated in the District of Columbia and registered as a 501(c)(3) entity.

The Anthony Bowen Landmark Building received the National Historic Landmark designation – 1 of 2,100 in the nation.

The Thurgood Marshall Center Trust, Inc. began its capital campaign to secure funding for the building’s renovations.

The Anthony Bowen Building was renamed the Thurgood Marshall Center for Service and Heritage Building which was approved by Mrs. Cecilia “Kissy” Marshall, widow of the Honorable Associate Justice Thurgood Marshall.

September 1998: The Thurgood Marshall Center Trust Inc. was able to secure sufficient funds to begin the renovation of the building.

February 2000: The Thurgood Marshall Center Trust, Inc. and Mrs. Cecelia “Cissy” Marshall opened the Thurgood Marshall Center for Service and Heritage to Shaw community-at-large with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Thurgood Marshall Center Trust opens its facility for facility space rental for the community-at-large.

Thomasina W. Yearwood became the Executive Director for the Thurgood Marshall Center Trust, Inc.

Tenants/Partners were: For Love of Children (FLOC), Concerned Black Men – National, Columbia Heights Shaw Family Support Collaborative, Local DC Chapter of Concerned Black Men, and Experience Corps

Poetry Slam Celebration of Langston Hughes’ 100tth Birthday

Unveiling of the Thurgood Marshall Postal Stamp

Commemoration of Brown v Board of Education

Tenants/Partners were: Concerned Black Men – National, Columbia Heights
Shaw Family Support Collaborative, GlobalGiving Foundation, IKG
Cultural Resources Local DC Chapter of Concerned Black Men, Twenty-
First Century School Fund, Critical Exposure, and SunRise Academy.

James Earl Jones Celebrates Black History Month at TMCT

Return of the Thurgood Marshall Exhibit

Phenomenal Women 2008 Black History Month Celebration Celebration of the Honorable Associate Justice Thurgood Marshall’s 100th Birthday November 2008: Opened cornerstone, removed centennial time capsule and removed contents of time capsule for authentication.

February 2009: Hosted Black History Month event celebrating the Unveiling of the Centennial Cornerstone Time Capsule Contents and Phenomenal Men 2009

February 2009: The Thurgood Marshall Center Trust, Inc. recommits itself to the Shaw community and the District at large as the “Cornerstone of the Community for the Next 100 Years”

The Thurgood Marshall Center Trust, Inc. develops educational programs: Financial Literacy, Healthy Lifestyles & Non-Profit Development and cultural historical programs with anticipated release in late 2009 – early 2010.

April 2009: The Thurgood Marshall Center Trust, Inc. Board of Directors develops strategic plan: re-examination of TMCT’s mission and role in the community-at-large — increased exposure in the community-at-large and increased partnerships with tenants and community-based organizations.

April 2009: Thurgood Marshall Center Trust, Inc. begins planning for its second phase of building renovation – as a LEED-certified green building. TMCT will partner with area colleges/universities, community-based organizations, businesses as well as local and federal government agencies to become a national historic landmark with LEED-certification.