SWNA
The Most Dynamic Neighborhood in Our Nation’s Capital
We invite you to look around and stay a while. You’ll be glad you did.
Our Mission:
To improve the quality of life for all residents; to open to every resident the wide cultural horizon of urban living; to help create rich and equal social, educational and economic opportunities for residents of Southwest DC; to assist in providing the opportunity for gainful employment for all; to promote development of the economic and aesthetic potential of Southwest; and preserve its diverse history. This mission shall be pursued without regard to the social, economic and racial barriers that have divided cities in the past.
SWNA Weather & Forecast
About Us
The Southwest Neighborhood Assembly (SWNA) is a private, non-profit citizens’ organization formed in the 1960s. Its Officers and Directors serve two-year terms. The Assembly’s organizes monthly community meetings and provides other forums to discuss topics of interest and concern to Southwesters. It also leads a number of task forces to further its mission. SWNA is a 100% volunteer organization.
The SWNA task forces focus on education, health and welfare, recreation and employment and transportation.
Our History
Southwest has a rich history of civic engagement. SWNA’s direct predecessor organization, the Southwest Citizens’ Association, which was found in 1886 was known to be one of the most active associations of its type in the city. Meanwhile, an all-black Southwest Civic Association emerged and focused on Southwest’s substantial black population.When Southwest’s built environment was redeveloped in the mid 20th century, a group of prominent citizens lead by Neal Pierce decided it was important to reshape Southwest’s social environment. Resting on the principles of openness and inclusiveness, this group established the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly in 1963. To jump-start their efforts, they started the Southwester newspaper and created task forces that focused on several issues: including, education, health and welfare, recreation and employment. Neal Pierce recounted this formative period in a recent Assemly meeting.
SWNA eventually determined a Southwest community center would best advance its goals. To facilitate the process, they formed a companion organization, the Southwest Community Council. The Council’s board featured many prominent civic leaders including Walter Washington community center, who would later become D.C.’s first African-American mayor, Charles Horsky, a distinguished advisor to President Lyndon Johnson, and Richard Ravitch, a successful developer who later chaired New York City’s transit agency.