S.H.A.P.E. Community Center

SHAPE Community Center was founded by “the community” in 1969 because Houston’s Civil Rights Movement needed a place that could give birth to the programs, that would give meaning to their protests. Today, SHAPE is fondly called “The United Nations of the Hood,” for bringing together people of varied affiliations, for the improvement of the community.  In SHAPE, the Pan-African community finds a distinctive environment which provides a culturally safe space, free from the stigma and trauma of historical oppression and an imbalanced power structure. It is our 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.  

SHAPE’s primary purpose is to strengthen and enrich the community through education and programs that foster self-help using: Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity and Faith. Activities include African-based cultural education through drumming, dance, language, and visual arts in partnership with the Community Artists’ Collective; mentorships between youth and elders; and family assistance focusing on wellness, using tools such as free legal assistance, workshops, computer literacy, social services, disaster relief, and counseling.