S.H.A.P.E. Community Center
Mission: To improve the quality of life for people of African descent (all people) through programs and activities, with emphasis on Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work & Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity and Faith.
As one of the most visible and involved community centers in Houston’s African-American community and the Houston community as a whole, S.H.A.P.E. has led the way toward justice, equal opportunity, and institution building in the city, state, nation and world. Because of its deep commitment to the community, S.H.A.P.E. has actively sought ways to oppose injustice and to better the community for all people.
S.H.A.P.E. (Self-Help for African People through Education) Community Center was founded in 1969, and has survived the ebbs and flows of the civil rights movement. S.H.A.P.E.'s journey from a small organization to one of international scope mirrors the transition of its leadership.