When it was established at the turn of the 20^th century as East White Oak (EWO), a village for African American employees of Cone Mills, residents were served by three central communal spaces: two churches and a school. The East White Oak School opened in 1916 specifically to educate the children of mill workers and operated for about 35 years before evolving into what is known today as the community-owned and operated East White Oak Community Center.

After its schoolhouse beginnings, the building had a brief stint as a YMCA. Once it dissolved and closed, the building sat empty for several months and was nearly razed. But a coalition of community leaders led by Truman Gant, Cleo Jordan, John Richmond and George Raines led a fundraising campaign sustained by sweat equity and chicken dinners, to buy and operate the Center as a community hub, beginning in the 1950s.

The East White Oak Community Center became a central business, meeting- and event-space that benefited its proud, hard-working residents. The Center’s offerings included a small convenience store, a beauty salon, a banquet and all-purpose room, a kitchen, a meeting room for neighborhood clubs, and an entertainment area for teens that featured a juke box and pool table. The Center also provided recreation and pre-school programs for children that until 2012 was funded and staffed by the City of Greensboro. The City continued limited financial support of the center’s recreation program until 2014.

The Center’s outreach to children has continued including a:

• Residency and after-school academy that exposed children to artistic expression through dance; activities that culminated in performances during the EWO Centennial in October 2016, and at the Carolina Theatre. 
• Summer-reading and-science-exploration camp, coordinated by Center staff with curriculum support through N.C. Cooperative Extension at Guilford County.
• Leadership series where boys from EWO helped mentor, serve meals, and provide outreach to participants of a YWCA initiative serving homeless people.

Though East White Oak has evolved with the times, the historic site still operates today with a mission and capacity for community service. It is still community-owned and operated and is incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit funded through rental income and grants from state and local organizations.

Formally known as the EWO Community Center, informally as “The Y” by legacy residents, and “The Big Green House” by new and prospective users, the center’s significance remains. People still come here to observe their major life celebrations: weddings, bridal and baby showers, graduation parties, quinceaneras and family reunions. People have church services here. They come here for classes, trainings, and support.

People come here to be part of a community.

Call us today to discuss your event needs or cultural interest.