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Way Center Collection M/A 2000.178.01
| Creator: | Way, Inc. (Minneapolis, Minn.) |
| Title: | Way Center Collection |
| Dates: | 1969-1992 |
| Quantity: | 1.0 boxes |
| Repository: | James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library |
History
The Way Center, sometimes referred to as The New Way Center, began in August 8, 1966 after an outbreak of violence on the North Side of Minneapolis on August 4, 1966. Its short range purpose was to help calm the neighborhood by providing an off-the-street facility for youth and a meeting place for residents; its long range purpose was to mobilize the North Side of Minneapolis through youth activities, education, employment referrals, housing, and law enforcement.
The Center was originally located at 1913 Plymouth Av. N. In 1984 it moved to 12th Ave. and Humboldt Ave. N. Early supporters included Minneapolis Mayor Arthur Naftalin and local businessman Ray Plank of Apache Corp.
Early leaders were Syl Davis, who was the director until November 1970, Gwyn Jones-Davis (later Jonesdavispyle), Rev. Rolland Robinson, Milton Williams and Willie Mae Dixon. Bert Davis was director from 1970-1974. Harry (Spike) Moss was director from 1974-1986.
The Center emerged as a controversial focal point for African-American self-determination. The Center had a reputation for using unorthodox methods including reaching out to people who were affiliated with gangs or were involved in criminal activities.
The Center faced fundraising and budgeting challenges from the onset and in December 1986 the center closed after losing most of its funding. In September 1990 a new youth center, run by a south Minneapolis youth agency called The City, Inc., opened in the location of the defunct The Way Center at 12th and Humboldt. The new center was officially called City-Northside, but employed many former leaders of The Way Center including Harry (Spike) Moss.
Description of the Collection
One box. Collection consists of newspaper clippings and organizational materials concerning The Way Center.
Related Material
For more history on The Way this book is in Special Collections and in the general collection: For A Moment We Had The Way by early leader Rev. Rolland Robinson, F614.M59 N4468 2006.
Subject Headings
Subjects
African Americans--Civil rights--Minnesota--Minneapolis.
African Americans--Minnesota--Minneapolis--Societies, etc.
African American youth--Minnesota--Minneapolis.
Civil rights movements--Minnesota--Minneapolis.
Community organization--Minnesota--Minneapolis.
Community power--Minnesota--Minneapolis.
Places
Minneapolis (Minn.)--Race relations.
Near-North Community (Minneapolis, Minn.)--Race relations.
Near-North Community (Minneapolis, Minn.)--Social conditions.
Table of Contents
| Organizational materials 1969-1970 -- Box 1, Folder 1 |
| Newspaper clippings 1966-1971 -- Box 1, Folder 2 |
| Newspaper clippings 1971-1982 -- Box 1, Folder 3 |
| Newspaper clippings 1983-1992 -- Box 1, Folder 4 |
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Call 612-543-8200 Please leave a message. specialcoll@hclib.org We try to respond within 24 hrs. Visit Plan your visit to Special Collections We welcome visitors! Please call at least one day ahead to make an appointment if you have a reference question or a research project. Hours 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday - Thursday & First and Third Saturdays of the month |
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