Programs- Phyllis Wheatley Center

In 1761, Phyllis Wheatley was brought to America from Africa as a slave and was sold in Boston, Massachusetts. Even though she was a slave, Phyllis Wheatley was an educated woman who enjoyed writing poetry. In September 1773, she became the first African American women to become a published writer. Phyllis Wheatley died a free woman in 1784.

In 1920, with the help of dedicated community volunteers, the Phyllis Wheatley Center was opened at 125 East Vine Avenue on Thanksgiving Day.

In 1943, the center moved to 702 Temperance Street where an expanded program and residence was inaugurated. Even though the accommodations were small, it was the only agency at that time with housing facilities for African American women and girls. In the years since, the center has been located at a number of different addresses but was finally built in 1962 at its present location of 124 Cruze Street. The building was made possible due to the generosity of the United Fund Agencies of Knoxville’s Capital Campaign.

Today the Phyllis Wheatley Center serves East Knoxville as a community center where churches gather for worship and other organizations and individuals come together for a variety of events. It provides a free After-School Program for at-risk children, offering them tutoring, mentoring, sports and artistic opportunities, nutritional education, and much more. Summer Day Camp is a tradition in many families. The seniors gather weekly for lunch, exercise, education, and socialization.

Through the contributions of a dedicated staff, volunteers, and community collaborations, the Phyllis Wheatley Center is making a difference in the Knoxville area and in the lives of those they touch.