Making Our Place: Celebrating The Historic & Living Legacy of Albert Cassell & Mayfair/Paradise Residents

JOIN US!

Join us on July 29, 2023 at Neval Thomas Elementary School, from 11AM-2PM for the 100% FREE event. Neighborhood Associates, a DC nonprofit, with support from HumanitiesDC, invites families, seniors, kids of all ages, and residents across the District to a fun, free, family-friendly event celebrating trailblazing African American architect, Albert Cassell, showcasing how his legacy resonates today in the vibrant Paradise/Mayfair community he designed!

WHEN, WHERE & GETTING THERE

• Making Our Place, Celebrating the Legacy of Albert I. Cassell and Mayfair/Parkside
• Saturday, July 29, 2023, 11AM-2PM
• 650 Anacostia Ave NE, Washington, DC 20019
• Parking at Neval Thomas Elementary lot is free
• Metro: Short walk from Minnesota Ave. Metro Station
• Neval Thomas Elementary is wheelchair accessible
• FREE, but please register on Eventbrite as space is limited to 150 guests.
• CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ON EVENTBRITE

LAUGH, LEARN, CELEBRATE & BUILD PUBLIC KINSHIP

• Facepainting, Balloon Art, and Music for kids of all ages!
• Learn about Albert Cassell's life and legacy in DC and American History
• Learn about the rich history of the Paradise/Mayfair community and how to share civic stories!
• Live, interactive performance by DC's own improv troupe, Verbal Gymnastics!
• Share your civic story; we'll highlight it on Neighborhood Associates' YouTube Channel!
• Live DJ and Raffle of kids and family books that celebrate Black & Brown heritage and learning!
• Booths featuring DC Fire Department, Capital Area Asset Builders, DC Literacy Lab, and more!
• Breakfast & Lunch provided to all audience members and guests!
• Neval Thomas Elementary School Security Officer present for public safety.
• Bring friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, and co-workers. All are welcome!
• Make a trend! Share your thoughts and photos on Instagram and Facebook Pics with #AlbertCassell

ABOUT ALBERT CASSELL

Albert Irvin Cassell was a pioneering African American architect whose legacy lives on today by the vibrant families and students that have made, and continue to build, communities and public kinship in the buildings and places of learning he designed at Howard University, throughout the District of Columbia, in Tuskegee, Alabama, and more. The focus of his work was to create places for African Americans to live, learn, and thrive during a time when the ills of segregation seemed immoveable in America and its capital city. Of his many architectural accomplishments, including designing the air conditioned Founders Library at Howard University and the Prince Hall Masonic Temple in the U Street Corridor, he designed Mayfair Mansions Apartments for African American families to call home in the 1940s. At the time, this was one of the first planned communities made by and for DC's African Americans. Not only did Mr. Cassell design Mayfair, he also lived their with his family and was known to pick litter and place it in bins during his walks in the community. Today, Paradise at Parkside and Mayfair Mansions are anchors of community life in the Kenilworth-Parkiside neighborhood in Northeast DC. Mr. Cassell was a graduate of Cornell University, a Professor of Architecture at Howard University, and also an entrepreneur who founded his own architecture firm. His legacy is a testament of how grit, determination, talent, and a sense of community are essential to making a welcoming, vibrant place. The Cassell family continued the tradition of architecture with three of his children themselves becoming architects.

THANK YOU!

Thank you for sharing this event with your friends, family and neighbors! This free event hosted by the DC nonprofit Neighborhood Associates, was made possible with funding from Humanities DC, a chapter of the National Endowment For The Humanities, and the support of fellow DC nonprofits and public services that make the District strong — including DC Fire & EMS, Capital Area Asset Builders, DC Literacy Lab, and the National Low Income Housing Coalition. A special thank you to Neval Thomas Elementary School and DC Public Schools for use of their space and to the incredible families that make the Paradise/Mayfair community a vibrant place to learn and grow.

CAN'T ATTEND IN PERSON?

• Check us out on Facebook for updates on Livestreaming. | Our Facebook
• Visit our YouTube Channel for the a recap of the historic presentation! | Our YouTube
• Stay Connected! : Website | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook

FUNDER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This project was supported by a grant from HumanitiesDC as part of the "Humanities Grant Program," an initiative funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

MEDIA CONTACT

Please email Alex Bain, Neighborhood Associates' Communications Director at abain@neighborhoodassociates.org.