Anacostia in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. (May 18, 1927 - October 23, 1994)
"If It Is to Be, It Is Up to Me"
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 19, 2026
1. Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. (May 18, 1927 - October 23, 1994) Marker
This plaque commemorates the life and legacy of Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr., who believed, "If it is to be, it is up to me." Born in Texarkana, Texas, in 1927, Dr. Rolark graduated from Prairie View A&M College of Texas, served in the U.S. Army, moved to Washington, D.C., and earned his Honorary Doctorate from Southeastern University. A civil rights activist, he co-founded and published The Washington Informer in 1964 and co-founded The United Black Fund, Inc. in 1969. He married Vera McGlassom in 1952 and later Wilhelmina Jackson Rolark, Esq., in 1962, who was elected the Ward 8 City Councilmember in 1976. Dr. Rolark has two children, Denise Rolark Barnes, publisher of The Washington Informer, Calvin W. Rolark, Jr., and two grandchildren, Lafayette A.C. Barnes and Desmond R. Barnes.
Dr. Rolark and Attorney Rolark fought for the passage of the D.C. Home Rule Act of 1973. They initiated the annual D.C. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Parade in 1977 and cultivated strong relationships with D.C.'s Islamic community. They joined the above press briefing on The New World Patriotism Day celebration in 1984 at the Frederick Douglass House in Anacostia with Imam W. Dean Mohammed (son of Elijah and Clara Muhammad), Muhammad Ali, the former heavyweight boxing champion, Ibrahim Mumin, member of The Nation's
this page online
Dr. Rolark's family thanks Imam Talib Shareef, Masjid MuhammadThe Nation's Mosque, Banneker Ventures, Medina LIFE CDC, The Washington Informer, Lafayette A. Barnes, Phinis Jones, William P. Lightfoot, Est., Stanley Rolark, Sister Walla Tate, and Hussein Tate for supporting this 2024 commemorative project.
Erected 2024.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Communications • Government & Politics. A significant historical date for this entry is May 18, 1927.
Location. 38° 51.791′ N, 76° 59.505′ W. Marker is in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Anacostia. It is on Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast west of Chicago Street Southeast, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2307 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Washington DC 20020, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: District Walls, 2016 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Museum for the Community (about 300 feet away); Crossing Lines (about 300 feet away); Nichols Avenue Elementary School / Old Birney School Site (about 600 feet away); Birney School (about 600 feet
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 19, 2026
2. Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. (May 18, 1927 - October 23, 1994) Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 19, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
