Washington's Black Broadway: a historic centre of music and culture


Katarina Holtzapple
  • English
  • Arabic

New York City’s Broadway is the undisputed centre of American music and theatre, but a few hundred kilometres to the south in Washington, the flourishing hub of "Black Broadway" once rivalled the Big Apple for cultural influence.

Blocks from the capital's many monuments and government buildings is U Street, which became a centre of African-American culture that attracted musicians, performers, activists and visitors for 40 years.

Between the 1920s and 1960s, artists such as Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald performed at its theatres, while activists such as Martin Luther King Jr ate at its restaurants.

Carter G Woodson, the founder of US Black History Month, lived and worked a few streets away from the famed corridor.

The area was created out of need: living under segregation, black Americans were not permitted in the city’s white-only venues and businesses. So they made their own.

“We had barbershops, we had tailors, we had pharmacists, we had restaurants, we had a department store, we had our own ecosystem and hub for us,” said Shellee Haynesworth, creator of the Black Broadway on U Project, which seeks to preserve the neighbourhood's stories.

She has interviewed about 40 people for her project so far.

Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington. Photo: Ben's Chili Bowl
Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington. Photo: Ben's Chili Bowl

There were about 300 businesses along the U Street corridor in its heyday, including theatres and music halls, Ms Haynesworth said.

“Many of the elders that I interviewed said they were so insulated and able to do what they needed to do within the U Street corridor that they really didn't have to deal with the effects of segregation and Jim Crow and [Washington,] DC,” she said, referring to southern segregation laws that kept the lives of black and white Americans separate.

“Especially when it was a thriving gateway known as Black Broadway.”

The area entered a sudden downturn after King’s assassination on April 4, 1968, when riots erupted across the US, as black Americans, angry and disillusioned by the death of the civil rights movement's figurehead, engaged in protests that in some places turned violent.

Parts of Washington, including U Street, were heavily damaged and 13 people died.

Rather than rebuild, many of the businesses on Black Broadway chose not to reopen or moved to different areas because they were no longer constrained by segregation laws. And U Street fell into disrepair.

“The city really didn't do anything for 20 years,” said Virginia Ali, owner of famous local restaurant Ben’s Chili Bowl.

When surveyors came to plan for the metro expansion in the late 1980s, they found only three businesses remained: Ms Ali's restaurant, Industrial Bank and Lee’s Flower and Card Shop.

The new metro stop opened in 1991 after years of construction halted traffic and disrupted business for Ben’s Chili Bowl.

“I had a big banner put across [the] front that said, 'We survived Metro',” Ms Ali said. “And then the neighbourhood began to grow again.”

Former president Barack Obama at Ben's Chili Bowl. Photo: Ben's Chili Bowl
Former president Barack Obama at Ben's Chili Bowl. Photo: Ben's Chili Bowl

Today, some of the historic theatres have reopened and businesses have returned. Ben’s Chili Bowl is a landmark destination, with locals, tourists and even former president Barack Obama flocking to its booths.

But some of the new developments could price out existing businesses and residents, changing the demographics of U Street again.

“Lee’s Flower Shop – the grandparents were friends of mine,” Ms Ali said. “The Industrial Bank, the grandparents were friends of mine. Their kids, the people running it now, are the same age as mine.

"I miss it.”

Lee's Flower Shop in the U Street corridor. Photo: Katarina Holtzapple
Lee's Flower Shop in the U Street corridor. Photo: Katarina Holtzapple
HIJRA

Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy

Director: Shahad Ameen

Rating: 3/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Company Profile:

Name: The Protein Bakeshop

Date of start: 2013

Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani

Based: Dubai

Size, number of employees: 12

Funding/investors:  $400,000 (2018) 

Company%20profile
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Our legal advisor

Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.

Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation. 

Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
The biog

Name: Ayisha Abdulrahman Gareb

Age: 57

From: Kalba

Occupation: Mukrema, though she washes bodies without charge

Favourite things to do: Visiting patients at the hospital and give them the support they need.
Role model: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.

 

The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km

Price: Dh133,900

On sale: now 

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Sunday, January 20
3pm: Jordan v Vietnam at Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
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Monday, January 21
3pm: Japan v Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium
6pm: Australia v Uzbekistan at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: UAE v Kyrgyzstan at Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Tuesday, January 22
5pm: South Korea v Bahrain at Rashid Stadium, Dubai
8pm: Qatar v Iraq at Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi

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The flights

Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes. 

The hotels

Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes. 

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March-May and September-November

Visas

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The specS: 2018 Toyota Camry

Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000

Engine: 3.5-litre V6

Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 298hp @ 6,600rpm

Torque: 356Nm @ 4,700rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km

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Open Men (bonus points in brackets)
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RESULT

Bayer Leverkusen 2 Bayern Munich 4
Leverkusen:
 Alario (9'), Wirtz (89')
Bayern: Coman (27'), Goretzka (42'), Gnabry (45'), Lewandowski (66')

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The biog

Favourite Quote: “Real victories are those that protect human life, not those that result from its destruction emerge from its ashes,” by The late king Hussain of Jordan.

Favourite Hobby: Writing and cooking

Favourite Book: The Prophet by Gibran Khalil Gibran

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street

The seven points are:

Shakhbout bin Sultan Street

Dhafeer Street

Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)

Salama bint Butti Street

Al Dhafra Street

Rabdan Street

Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)

The biog

Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.

His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.

“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.

"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”

Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.

He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking. 

Results
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BIO

Favourite holiday destination: Turkey - because the government look after animals so well there.

Favourite film: I love scary movies. I have so many favourites but The Ring stands out.

Favourite book: The Lord of the Rings. I didn’t like the movies but I loved the books.

Favourite colour: Black.

Favourite music: Hard rock. I actually also perform as a rock DJ in Dubai.

Key Points
  • Protests against President Omar Al Bashir enter their sixth day
  • Reports of President Bashir's resignation and arrests of senior government officials
MATCH INFO

Austria 2
Hinteregger (53'), Schopf (69')

Germany 1
Ozil (11')

What is the FNC?

The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning. 
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
 

Company profile

Date started: 2015

Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki

Based: Dubai

Sector: Online grocery delivery

Staff: 200

Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends

HOW%20TO%20ACTIVATE%20THE%20GEMINI%20SHORTCUT%20ON%20CHROME%20CANARY
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The%20specs
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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas

Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa

Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong

Rating: 3/5

Updated: March 18, 2022, 7:03 PM`