Washington, D.C. – Sasha Bruce Youthwork, a nonprofit that provides shelter and support to homeless youth, has announced a major fundraising drive to conserve two historic murals by acclaimed African American artist Lois Mailou Jones. The murals, which have hung inside the organization’s Washington, D.C., facility since the 1950s, depict Africa’s past, present and future and are considered a cultural treasure for the city.
Fundraising goal and allocation
According to Judith Brodie, a former curator at the National Gallery of Art and a member of the Sasha Bruce team, the campaign is 80 percent funded, with $238,000 already pledged. The total goal is $300,000. Roughly half of the money will pay two highly qualified conservators to undertake the delicate restoration work, while the remaining funds will cover the cost of temporary housing for the youth who will need to relocate while scaffolding and chemicals are used inside the building.
Why the murals matter
Lois Mailou Jones spent nearly five decades as a professor at Howard University, shaping generations of African American artists. Her murals at Sasha Bruce were commissioned in the mid‑1950s by Nannie Helen Burroughs, a pioneering educator who created a hub for missionaries traveling to Africa. The artwork was intended to educate travelers about African culture and to foster a sense of Pan‑African solidarity.
Former D.C. Council member William Lightfoot, a longtime supporter of Sasha Bruce, emphasized the murals’ role in connecting African American residents to their heritage. “These murals certainly served the purpose of creating a bond between African Americans and the idea of Pan‑Africanism, while also reflecting Africa’s past, present and future,” Lightfoot told The Informer.
Impact on the youth
Deborah Shore, founder and executive director of Sasha Bruce Youthwork, highlighted how the murals enrich the daily lives of the young people who live in the house. “They come here to reflect, get support and think through their next steps, while getting to look at this beautiful historic work every day,” she said.
Board member Shaunda Patterson‑Strachan added that the murals still provoke strong reactions from visitors. “Everyone has the same reaction once they see them. They’re like, ‘What!?’” she noted.
Logistics and next steps
The restoration will require scaffolding and specialized chemicals, meaning the current residents must be temporarily relocated. Brodie estimates that finding suitable housing could cost about $150,000, which will be covered by the remaining donations.
Local supporters are being asked to contribute to the campaign, which aims to preserve both the artistic legacy of Lois Mailou Jones and the historic character of the Sasha Bruce building. The organization hopes to complete the restoration while minimizing disruption to the youth it serves.
Community call to action
Residents and businesses in the District are encouraged to donate or spread the word about the fundraising effort. By protecting these murals, the community safeguards a piece of Washington’s cultural heritage and continues to provide a safe, nurturing environment for young people facing homelessness.
Original reporting: The Washington Informer — read the source article.
