Dr. Ralph J. Bunche Peace and Heritage Center

This modest residence was the boyhood home of Dr. Ralph J. Bunche (1903-1971), a remarkable man who was the first person of color to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. The house had fallen into decline over the years and sat vacant for a decade, used only by squatters, taggers, gang members, and vagrants. A leader in preservation in the Central Avenue corridor, the Dunbar Economic Development Corporation rescued this “nuisance property” and adapted it as a community meeting place, house museum, and program site for the Dr. Ralph J. Bunche Youth Leadership Academy. This marvelous resource now enhances the social, cultural, and physical conditions of this urban community while using the life and legacy of Dr. Bunche to inspire future generations.