Freedom House opens.

Originally the Upper Roxbury Project, it is located initially in an office above the Humboldt Theatre at 151 Humboldt Avenue. Founded in 1948 by Otto P. Snowden and Muriel Snowden, Judge Herbert Tucker, and 14 others, the social service agency is incorporated on January 25, 1950. Its purpose is to reduce barriers for African-American residents in education, employment, and housing. Subsequently called the “Black Pentagon” it moves to 14 Crawford Street in October [Dec.] 1952. After a fire destroys the building on January 31, 1960 [1959-BG], it reopens at 5 Crawford Street in February 1961. In recent years, the organization focuses on high school tutoring and helping young people to graduate from college.