In an unprecedented move, during their August 13th meeting, the City Council of Dallas unanimously approved the renaming of the eastern end of Flora Street to Ann Williams Way. The ordinance changes the name of the street between Arts Plaza and Woodall Rogers Service Road on Oct. 14.
Considered the gateway to the Dallas Arts District, Flora Street was once known as the hub of the African American Community. Historically known as “North Dallas,” the area was originally the settlement of freed slaves. St. Paul United Methodist Church, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and Dallas Black Dance Theatre offices (formerly the Moorland YMCA) are the only remaining structures from the time period.
In 1973, Ann Williams founded Dallas Black Dance Academy as a community based organization dedicated to providing dance instruction to minority boys and girls. In 1976, Williams founded Dallas Black Dance Theatre, a professional modern dance company providing opportunities for African American trained dancers to perform within the region. Forty-one years later, the organization has grown to a full professional company with 12 full-time salaried dancers, one semi-professional company with 11 volunteer dancers and a 450 student academy with three performing ensembles. DBDT has provided performances to over 3.5 million patrons and 2.5 million students worldwide.
Looking for a permanent home in the downtown Dallas vicinity, Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT) set its sights on the former Moorland YMCA building. Through major gifts, grants and a city of Dallas bond program, DBDT raised approximately $11.2 million to renovate the building and moved into the new space in 2008.
The historic building and location is significant to Williams for several reasons. Williams once instructed swimming classes for the Moorland YMCA. During her tenure of instruction, the YMCA was the only facility that provided an indoor pool for African American people in the northern part of the State.
