Black Broadway

The current name of this station, the longest of any Metro stop, looks like what would happen if you gave someone ten seconds to write down as many U St. destinations as they could remember. (Seriously, when have you ever seen the abbreviation “Amer?”) As a shorter (and more interesting) name for one of the most celebrated neighborhoods in D.C., we’re proposing “Black Broadway.” The name comes from legendary actress and singer, Pearl Bailey, who referred to the neighborhood as such in the early 20th century. For decades, the U St. corridor was a cultural mecca for the African American community, and a hotspot for entertainment. Legendary jazz musicians -- including Washington's own, Duke Ellington -- frequented the many neighborhood clubs, which included Bohemian Caverns, the Lincoln Theatre, the Howard Theatre, and others.