PHILADELPHIA—For years, Du Bois Books on Broad Street near Temple University in North Philly was a hub for working-class literature, education, and organizing—but it was housed in a rented storefront. In 1987, the Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware District of the Communist Party, which operated the bookstore named for W.E.B Du Bois, made the ambitious move of purchasing a building to become the shop’s permanent home.
That year, 4515 Baltimore Ave. in West Philadelphia was opened as the Du Bois-Robeson People’s Center, the DRPC, adding Paul Robeson to the name.
For the next few decades, the first floor functioned not only as a bookstore but also as an event space, hosting the Philadelphia Social Science Forum and activities of the West Philadelphia Club of the Communist Party. Forum programs on historical and current affairs regularly packed the back room of the space, featuring local speakers as well as out-of-town guests.
Several years ago, however, the financial pressure of keeping and maintaining the building started to weigh on the party. This resulted in two second-floor units being rented out to bring in funds. Eventually, the difficulties of being a landlord made this position undesirable, so the decision was made, reluctantly, to sell the building in 2014.
It sold quickly, and the Du Bois-Robeson Center closed, with all the books and furniture put away in storage, in hopes that it would reopen elsewhere. Supporters looked for other sites in the neighborhood but came up empty-handed.
A short time later, though, the new owner expressed a willingness to rent the first floor back to the DPRC at a reasonable rate. This allowed the center to return to the same space it had occupied for over 30 years. The DRPC quickly resumed many of its former activities, at least until the 2020 coronavirus pandemic ended in-person meetings.
After the pandemic and the George Floyd uprisings, the CPUSA began growing again, and a new generation of young members refounded the Philly Young Communist League. It was their renewed energy that carried the center into its latest iteration.
In addition to DRPC’s traditional programming of talks and its bookstore and library, volunteers got creative in how they made use of the space. Many younger YCL members were also performers and quickly utilized the center as a low-cost music venue for bands and artists. The center also opened its doors to other working-class and progressive organizations.
The YCL began hosting a monthly screening series, “Marxists Movie Monday,” that brings in community members with a mix of popular and niche films with progressive themes. In the lead up to the 2026 Pennsylvania primary, the center was also a hub organizing during progressive Democrat Chris Rabb’s campaign for the the Third Congressional District nomination.
“The new energy and the varied activities at the center are gratifying for a retired history teacher,” Philadelphia public school teacher John Sears said. “Of course, it’s still a place you can find interesting books, but it’s much more than that now. It’s a fixture in the community.”
Despite the new energy and activity, the Du Bois-Robeson People’s Center still finds itself in a difficult position. With proceeds from the 2014 sale of the building diminishing every year, fundraising is an ongoing challenge. The current lease is finished at the end of July, and without an infusion of donations to cover the renewal, the DRPC will have to close its doors and move out once again.
However, its supporters are determined to preserve the center, knowing how invaluable a in-person organizing and meeting space is. Thanks to multiple fundraising parties bringing together Philadelphia nightlife and working-class organizers, along with support from community members, the DRPC is just $2,000 shy of its fundraising goal.
When asked why the center should be preserved, despite the financial difficulties it presents, life-long CPUSA organizer and DRPC volunteer Rookie Perna said, “It is worth saving because it has been and continues to be our open face and a community resource thanks to the growing group of young folks who have been working very hard for its revitalization. I appreciate the opportunity to continue working with them in this endeavor.”
With a clear vision of financial stability within the next year and the continued growth of its community connections, the Du Bois-Robeson People’s Center will remain a home for working-class learning, organizing and community for another 40 years and more.
To support the Du Bois-Robeson People’s Center, donate at ko-fi.com/drpc and follow the center on Instagram @drpc.philly.
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