At the dawn of the 20th century, before the Harlem Renaissance, the Shaw/U Street corridor in Washington, DC was the social and cultural capital of Black America. It was also home to a man named Duke Ellington, a brilliant musician whose grace and talent became a shining symbol of the success of this African American community. The area, anchored by Howard University, developed a prosperous black middle class which forged a strong society of churches, newspapers, businesses and civic institutions. This proud and elegant community flourished even under the cloud of segregation which hung over the city and the nation. To learn more about this important period in our history, please visit the PBS web site, Duke Ellington's Washington.