Mrs. Charlotte Kelly Bryant, a proud Houston na- tive, has dedicated her life to the service and em- powerment of her community. Born and raised on the west side of Houston, she is the second oldest of four siblings. Growing up in a segregated neighbor- hood, she and her siblings walked a mile and half each day to school, as the nearest school was for white children. Despite the challenges of segrega- tion, she graduated third in her class from Booker T. Washington High School in 1948.
Mrs. Bryant’s pursuit of education did not stop there, she attended Texas Southern University in 1951 and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Technology in 1955. In 1952, she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. where she has been a dedicated member for over 70 years. She is also a charter member of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. Her introduction to civic work began in middle school when she was encouraged to join the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA). “I had a lot of experiences, fun experi- ences there,” she said. “It made me interested to work in the civic arena.” This interest ultimately led her to a lifetime of service in her community, she currently serves as Executive Director at the Blue Triangle Multi Cultural Community Center in Houston’s 3rd Ward.
In 1948, the same year Mrs. Bryant graduated from high school, a group of ten Black women purchased the property where the Blue Triangle now sits. The land was originally home to Fredrick Doug- lass Elementary School and was purchased from the Houston Independent School Dis- trict (HISD). The city of Houston was impressed with the purchase and launched a capital campaign to help the women raise money, they success- fully raised $350,000 for a new build- ing. “This purchase is significant to me because so many houses, that we now live in, cost around that amount of money,” she said. “This purchase enables us to have the whole block that surrounded the building, which gives us a lovely place for a play yard for the kids.”
The design of the building was groundbreaking, as it was built to serve the children and families of the community. It accommodated a child- care agency, a gymnasium, and spaces for young people to engage in activi- ties. In one of the building’s rooms, Dr. John T. Biggers painted a mural that has since been appraised for over two million dollars.
In the late 1990s, the YWCA of Houston which had been running the building, faced financial difficulties and put the property up for sale. Mrs. Bryant, with advice from the late Rev. William A. Lawson, Founding Pastor Emeritus of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, was able to gather 2,000 signatures to keep the building in the neighborhood. “I started doing what he told me to, establish ourselves with the business,” she said. “I was able to get 2,000 signatures behind me saying this was a need, so that we can keep the building in the neighborhood for community establishment.”
After much negotiation and conversation with the YWCA Board, the building was saved and renamed from the YWCA Branch of Houston to the Blue Triangle Multi Cultural Association. “It would become not just a s significant area for people of color, but for everybody,” she said. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the center’s new direction, ensuring that it remains a resource for the community. Unfortunately, gentrification has led to a decline in the number of children attending the center, as many families are moving further away. To address this, Mrs. Bryant and her team have been working to attract other ethnic groups to ensure the Blue Triangle continues to serve those in need.
In 2017, during Hurricane Harvey, the building suffered significant dam- age. The Blue Triangle applied for assistance from the city, but interest rates were too high. Hope came from the state of Qatar, through a generous $4.9 million grant, the Blue Triangle underwent a complete renovation. The building now includes a gymnasi- um sponsored by the NCAA, a swim- ming pool, and a commercial kitchen, all additions designed to encourage even greater use of the facility. With the renovation, the center’s yearly budget has increased greatly. “We’re proud of it today because it shows what God has done, demonstrating what happens when your faith in God encourages you to do His will and give Him glory. That’s what it means to me, and what it continues to mean for me,” she said.
In 2008, the Blue Triangle was officially recognized as a Texas registered historical site, ensuring its preservation for future generations. “This is significant because no one will ever be able to demolish it or take any parts of the property,” she said. Mrs. Bryant credits the success of the Blue Triangle to the support of many individuals and organizations, including Rev. William A. Lawson, board members, the Friends of the Blue Triangle, artist, photographers, the state of Qatar, the Kinder Foundation, the NCAA, and the Houston community. “I am grateful for the sweet memory of Rev. William A. Lawson, who not only encouraged me but gave me the steps in order to get the ownership of that property,” she said.
The journey has been no easy feat, filled with some challenges and set- backs along the way, Mrs. Bryant has remained steadfast in her faith, giving God all of the glory for the center’s success. Reflecting on the obstacles and triumphs, she quotes the scripture, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” (Psalm 34:19). This faith continues to guide her work and the legacy of the Blue Triangle.
