Discovering Greater U Street’s History

I have walked up and down U Street hundreds of times over the past year. As an employee of Octane, I am just minutes away from everything Washington, DC has to offer. I have grabbed lunch from Ben’s Chili Bowl, perused Lincoln Theatre’s upcoming shows, and repeatedly passed the U Street/African American Civil War Memorial metro station. All without really knowing the significance of U Street’s history. Those new to Washington, DC may find themselves more drawn to many of the museums and monuments that fill downtown. I was one of them until a “Greater U Street Heritage Trail” sign caught my attention. You can find them all along U Street, reminding passersby that they are in a special place.

Image of U Street

Black Broadway

Once I finally took the time to read one, I learned that U Street was once called “Black Broadway.” This was the epicenter of African American life and commerce in DC in the early 1900s. African Americans subject to Jim Crow laws were able to own businesses and property creating a safe space for social and cultural advancement. There were black lawyers, doctors, and dentists all working in the same neighborhood, eating at black-owned restaurants and doing business with the Industrial Bank, the city’s largest African-American owned bank.

“Greater U Street Heritage Trail” sign

U Street was not just about business and economic growth. It was also a place for culture and entertainment, with musical greats like Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Pearl Bailey, Sarah Vaughan and Louis Armstrong performing at Lincoln Theatre. Having this “city within a city” stand as a legacy of black-owned businesses and innovation at a time when African Americans were limited by unjust laws makes the existence of U Street even more remarkable.

Desegregation

Unfortunately, this flourishing area began to fade when DC became desegregated and U Street’s economy collapsed from lack of patrons. As more options became available to African Americans, Black Broadway began to fade from memory and only a few businesses were able to survive.

Greater U Street

So, I appreciate the signs along U Street for sparking my curiosity about this history and opening the door for me to find out more about the city around me. It seems fitting that Octane a black-owned business focused on telling the stories of DC residents, would choose U Street as it’s base of operation. I have discovered numerous articles and books written about the rich history of U Street, these resources have only increased my interest in learning more. There are people all around the country trying to keep the memory of Black Broadway alive. Washingtonian Shellee M. Haynesworth is one of them. She has a multi-platform project that offers a guide to U Street which includes photos and videos. These images help to bring the stories of U Street to life and make this Black History Month even richer. I am glad that after so many months, I finally found U Street.

Spreading the Word About Sexual Health

The World Health Organization defines sexual health as a state of physical, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality.

Sexual Health is not a new concept. However, the way we communicate about it is changing, some would even say evolving. Every day we receive numerous messages about “getting healthy.” The mandate to gain and maintain health has become a focal point in today’s society but what does it mean to have sexual health?

Of course, we know the three pillars to overall health:

Illustration of a meditating holding a brain and kettle ball. Illustration reads, "spiritual health, mental health, and physical health."

But where does sexual health fit into this dynamic?

I submit that sexual health is the fourth pillar.

All of these forms of health work together to support the well-being of the whole person and sexual health is no exception because sexual health can affect all aspects of our lives.

The act of sex itself can relieve stress, boost your mood, and improve your sleep, but sexual health is more than just the act. Sexual health is about positive and affirming relationships, intimacy, pleasure, and safe sexual experiences.

With this in mind, when Octane works with our clients to communicate about sexual health, we focus on people and not disease or disorders. We understand the importance of creating opportunities for open discussion and allowing room for questions and exploration. Our goal has always been to promote sexual health in a non-judgmental way that empowers everyone to have a voice.

Sexual health is a cornerstone of holistic health and our sex-positive messages have to impact on beliefs and behavior. So, it is imperative that we show how integral sexual health is to our everyday lives. Our newest DC Health campaign does just that.

The Sexual + Being campaign centers on the idea that “Sex is a natural part of being.” That is being confident, empowered, brave or bold. Positive images and messages reinforce the idea that sexual health and sexuality are topics that we can discuss and embrace. We focus on breaking down barriers to information about sexual health without scare tactics or guilt.

The conversation about sexual health is evolving and we like where it is headed.