Anthony Bowen founded a black YMCA in Washington D.C. in 1853. It was the first nonchurch black institution in America at that time. In 1896, there were 60 active Ys for Black Americans, and by 1924, membership grew to 28,000 members across 160 Ys for Black Americans. Continue reading Former slave Anthony Bowen founded a black YMCA in 1853.