Overgrown weeds and broken windows are a testament to the neighborhood's broken dreams. Two years ago, the school board shut down Armstrong, one of only two adult education schools in the city, in an attempt to save money. That was silly and counterproductive. Mumin, an African American convert to Islam, understands the politics of the shutdown. Parents will scream if funds are cut in schools for their children.
Adult education has no strong advocacy group.
You come out. But there's a guy on the street who says, 'Hey, homey, you don't need money to work for me. In fact, I'm going to advance you some money. Duke Ellington lived in Shaw, as did many well-known black Washingtonians who pushed to overcome slavery and discrimination. U Street, with the historic Lincoln Theatre, was once called the Black Broadway, a vibrant entertainment district before integration.