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“Lifting As We Climb” celebration marks Santa Monica’s 150th anniversary with tribute to a philanthropic Black women’s organization

SANTA MONICA, CA – The Santa Monica Conservancy, Quinn Research Center, and 18th Street Arts Center will host “Lifting As We Climb: Celebrating the Philomathean Charity Literary and Art Club” on Tuesday, December 9, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The event will begin with a landmark plaque unveiling at 1802 Broadway, followed by a celebration at 18th Street Arts Center at 1639 18^th Street.

The Philomathean Charity Literary and Art Club was founded in 1921 by a group of women, mostly domestic workers, who pooled money together and diligently hosted fundraisers to achieve their mission. It is their persistence and hard work that created a thriving community asset that provided tangible support to Black community members who were barred historically from opportunities due to racism. In 1958, the Philomatheans bought land at 1810 Broadway to build a meeting hall and host retail spaces, allowing them to serve their community and pay their mortgage. By 1970, the mortgage was paid off. The land is still owned by the Philomatheans today with retail spaces that hosts a Black-owned barbershop as well as an early childhood center, The First School. Rental income is utilized by the Philomatheans to offer scholarships for high school students in the neighborhood to support their college expenses for four years. The landmark was designated through a Community Development Grant from the City of Santa Monica.

Learn more about the Philomathean Club in our 3-Minute History series:

“Philomathean Hall is the first building on Historic Broadway to receive landmark status. This was a ten-year group effort in partnership with the Santa Monica Conservancy, 18th Street Arts Center, and the Quinn Research Center”, said Carolyne Edwards, founder of the Quinn Research Center and historian and business manager of the Philomathean Club.

The landmark plaque unveiling ceremony at 1802 Broadway will feature remarks from current members of the Philomathean Board.

Following the unveiling, attendees are invited to continue the celebration at 18th Street Arts Center, to enjoy refreshments and a performance by musician Rasheed Ali.

Lifting As We Climb is supported by City of Santa Monica Microgrant in honor of Santa Monica’s 150^th Anniversary. The event is free and open to the public. Register at tinyurl.com/dec9-philomathean.

For more information, contact: Melina Castorillo, Communications Associate Santa Monica Conservancy melina@smconservancy.org

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