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Karamu House
Karamu House is a neighborhood settlement nationally known for its dedication to interracial theater and the arts. It was founded as the Neighborhood Association in 1915 by two young white social workers, Rowena and Russell Jelliffe, graduates of Oberlin College. The Jelliffes had the support of the Second Presbyterian Church. An adjacent theater, purchased in 1927 to expand the settlement, was named Karamu after the Swahili word meaning "a place of joyful gathering." In 1941 the name of the entire settlement was changed to Karamu.
Karamu's first location was at E. 38th Street and Central Avenue. In 1939, a disastrous fire ripped through Karamu's facility resulting in the need to relocate. Heartbroken people of all races responded with an outpouring of donations. Today, Karamu House is a premier neighborhood center at E. 89th Street and Quincy Avenue (pictured here).
Karamu House has maintained an enduring commitment to encouraging and supporting the preservation, celebration, and evolution of African American culture. Karamu presents a regular schedule of plays and provides classes in drama, dance, music, and art.
The building complex that holds Karamu House was designed by Small, Smith, Reeb & Draz in a modified International style and completed 1949-1959. Significant improvements to the building have been made over the years. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is designated as a Cleveland landmark.
Karamu has a well-deserved reputation for nurturing African American actors. Among notable performers who refined their craft at Karamu and later found success on Broadway, in Hollywood, and at stages and concert halls throughout the world were Ruby Dee, Ron O'Neal, Robert Guillaume, Imani Hakim, and Arsenio Hall. One of the most treasured of Karamu's productions is "Black Nativity," a play by Langston Hughes, a Karamu alumnus.
African-American history in Cleveland is a rich subject to discover. The Cleveland Restoration Society values this history by preserving and restoring places associated with this legacy. During February, CRS will be sharing some of the stories of these important places so that you can Know Our Heritage.