Built in 1951, the original Phillis Wheatley YWCA was a beacon of civic and social engagement for Black Atlantans through the 1970s. After closing in 2015, much of its programming, typical early learning, mentoring, and wellness offerings disappeared from the community. Today, with over 50% of Westside households living under the poverty line and more than 60% headed by women, the need for accessible services has never been greater.
After a decade, the historic Phillis Wheatley Westside YWCA is on the verge of a triumphant return, thanks to a successfully completed $19.5 million campaign led by YWCA Greater Atlanta. The “Collaboration in Action” fundraising effort reached its full goal this spring, allowing the organization to begin transforming the 22,000-square-foot landmark into a vibrant hub for women, girls, and families of Atlanta’s Westside.
The YWCA announced the milestone during its annual Salute to Women of Achievement luncheon at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis on May 8, where nearly $450,000 was raised to support ongoing YWCA programs.
President and CEO Danita V. Knight expressed deep gratitude toward community leaders, donors, and strategic partners for making this long-anticipated revival possible. “We are honored to stand in this moment alongside women on the Westside who for too long have not been fully seen, nor heard,” she stated.
As part of the revitalization of the historic Phyllis Wheatley YWCA on Atlanta’s Westside, insightful focus groups and “social circles” were held to directly engage women from the community. These conversations revealed a unified vision: the need for subsidized early childhood education, onsite clinic services, digital literacy training, and adaptable, multi-use spaces. These community-driven priorities have been thoughtfully integrated into the building’s renovation plans.
The reimagined facility will feature an expanded Early Learning Academy serving up to 85 children, Empowerment classrooms, a flexible, multipurpose community space, and serve as headquarters for direct services tailored to women and families.
More than a building, the restored Phyllis Wheatley YWCA will reclaim its role as both a vital service hub and a civic and social gathering space, just as it was originally intended in the 1950s.
In collaboration with strategic partners, including CHRIS 180, Families First, Morehouse School of Medicine, and the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, YWCA Greater Atlanta will deliver wraparound services to support the health, education, and empowerment of Westside women, girls, and their families.
Construction is underway, with the facility expected to reopen in spring 2026 at its original location on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Once reopened, the Phillis Wheatley Westside YWCA will stand not only as a restored architectural gem but as a living testament to community resilience, equity, and empowerment.
As Atlanta’s Westside evolves, this revitalization underscores a powerful lesson: meaningful change happens when communities speak, leaders listen, and resources are mobilized together. The return of the Phillis Wheatley YWCA is more than a building’s revival; it’s an affirmation of purpose, place, and possibility.