ABOVE: Blue Triangle Renovation Project Core Team
Blue Triangle (formally the first branch of Houston’s YWCA), was founded during World War I. This organization grew the need for a place where women and girls of color could safely meet, learn and recreate. The original meeting place was 806 Clay Ave. (old Masonic Building) under the War Work Council, sponsored by National YWCA.
The dream “of a building of our own” was begun. A group of women in the community organized and purchased land – 3005 McGowen St. After ($1,000) purchase, they deeded the property to the YWCA. The Community Chest gave permission for a Capital Funds drive in 1948. The funds provided for an Activity Center. Construction began in 1950 and was completed in 1951. Programs / activities for children / adults, daycare, Bible Class, art, drama and dance classes continued for many years.
Funded by a generous gift from the State of Qatar Harvey Fund, the $4.9 million dollar renovation project will complete the interior repairs needed to restore activity to this community entertainment stable on McGowen Avenue. The 24,476 square foot community center flooded during Hurricane Harvey in 2016 causing severe devastation to the building which has since been closed to the public.
Photos by: Leon Prevost
Greetings and Introduction of Project Team by Charlotte Bryant, including Eileen Lawal
Charlotte Bryant, Founder & Executive Director of Blue Triangle MCA
Former Qatar Ambassador-Chase Untermeyer, Abdulla Al Kubaisi, George Smalley, Ridge Builder Communications; Lucy Bremond and Gizette Thomas
Vanessa Reed, Lucy Bremond, Charlotte Bryant, Michael Garfield and Gizette Thomas
Acting Consul General State of Qatar in Houston, Mr. Abdulla Al Kubaisi
Chase Untermeyer, former US Ambassador to Qatar,Tadd Tellepsen, CEO, Tellepsen (General Contractor)
Amber St. Julian, Associate, Gensler (Architecture Firm), Charlotte K. Bryant, Executive Director and Founder, BTMCA (Owners), Bobbi Jones, President, BTMCA, Abdullah Al Kubaisi, Acting Consul General, State of Qatar (Grantor of Funds), Paul Cannings, RPH (Project Developers), Michael Garfield, RPH
Renovations