About the Dunbar Association

History |Core Values| Directors 

Dunbar Association, Inc. of Syracuse, New York is one of the few African-American Settlement Houses still operational today. The advent of the twentieth century brought notable changes to the Black community of Syracuse. The population grew slowly as opportunities for employment expanded. Black men came to work in a munitions industry. But as employment opportunities broadened discrimination grew more overt. In this setting in 1918, an ex convict, Jimmy LaGrin, conceived the idea of providing recreational activities to Black youth in an effort to keep them from criminal activity. He created a recreational program under the auspices of the AME Zion Church and became acquainted with Black students attending Syracuse University who were from a literary group called The Paul Lawrence Dunbar Society.

Using the settlement House model, La Grin sought the aid of the white community by enlisting the help of three wealthy women Lucia Knowles, Mrs. Frederick Hazard, and her sister, Mrs. Walter Burlingame, who were members of the local “Commonwealth Club”, an influential business group interested in worthwhile service projects. They too were engrossed in the works of Paul Lawrence Dunbar. With their financial backing, the idea of the Dunbar House, a Black community center was born. Due to their fondness and the student’s fondness of the works of Paul Laurence Dunbar, the center was named after noted African American poet, Paul Laurence Dunbar.

Once established, the Dunbar Association, Inc (a.k.a. Dunbar Center) was maintained as a recreational, social, and cultural center for the individuals of African descent living in the city of Syracuse. Incorporated in 1935, Dunbar was the core of the 1930’s black community and served many functions throughout its history. As the first settlement house in Syracuse, over the course of eight decades, the agency served as one of Central New York’s access gateways for migrating blacks and was a major resource center for fulfilling community needs. It assisted local Blacks in the improvement of their socio-economic conditions by the development of educational, vocational, recreational, cultural and social programming and opportunities.

The agency filled the gaps created by the division of the color line and was a preserver of the African American culture. The community used the center for social events including dances, youth groups, club meetings, and weddings. During World War II, the organization was used as a training center and employment agency. The staff and volunteers also worked to increase housing opportunities for African Americans in Syracuse. In the 1950’s, when Syracuse faced a violent outbreak of polio, the center played a vital role in helping to erode the poor health status of the community. Dunbar provided visibility for a Black community residing in a predominately White society, and acted as the community’s voice for equitable social change.

Prior to moving to its present location, Dunbar’s first sites were at 711 and 720 East Fayette Street from 1920 to 1926. The second home was 308 South McBride Street from 1926-1940 and later at 950 Townsend Street from 1940-1964. The present location, 1453 South State Street, was dedicated on November 14, 1964.

Currently, Dunbar has expanded its focus to include a myriad of human services and consists of three distinct divisions: Community Services, Family Services and Youth Services. Dunbar’s programs strengthen the family by helping to address traditional service needs, as well as service gaps. Services are inclusive of a community computer lab, an after-school and teen component, summer camp, a seniors program, preventive services for adults and children, an emergency food pantry, child and family health plus, and adoption services.

Today, we are proud to say that Dunbar, a community-based and community-owned organization is a multi-purpose entity that provides a continuum of offerings. It is the community’s one stop service center!