Anti-Gentrification Nonprofit Opens in Former Shaw Community Center Space

The Elephant Free School, a nonprofit focused on political education and youth programming, will open at the Lincoln Temple United Church of Christ on 11th Street NW on October 10. This marks a new chapter for the historic church, which has long been a cornerstone of the Shaw community.

The Shaw Community Center, a vital local hub for over three decades, closed last October after failing to meet fundraising goals and facing criticism for not adequately addressing community needs. Now, the space is being revitalized by the Elephant Free School, led by long-time community organizer Dominic Moulden.

Moulden, who founded the Elephant Free School in 2020, has dedicated his career to combating the effects of gentrification in Washington, D.C. His work began in tenants’ rights activism, and he has been actively involved in the Shaw community for over 35 years. The new school will offer programs in political education, nutrition, culture and the arts, language education, film and photography, and youth development.

The Elephant Free School is partnering with The Center for Social Housing and Public Investment, a think tank led by former tenant association attorney Will Merrifield. This collaboration echoes the former relationship between the Shaw Community Center and Lincoln-Westmoreland Housing, a nonprofit co-founded in 1967 by the Lincoln Temple Congregation and the Westmoreland Congregational United Church of Christ.

The school is also working with the Ward 6 mutual aid group Serve Your City. Moulden emphasizes that mutual aid is not charity, but solidarity. The partnership aims to educate working-class residents about the politics of mutual aid and empower them to resist displacement.

Moulden, born in Baltimore, moved to Washington, D.C. early in his life. He began organizing in Shaw in 1986 and connected with the Shaw Community Center about 20 years ago. He has maintained strong ties to the community and is committed to ensuring that local voices remain central to the work.

The Elephant Free School’s mission reflects a deep commitment to justice, mercy, and humble service, aligning with Micah 6:8. By providing education and resources, the school seeks to support the community in the face of ongoing challenges.

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