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University of Iowa Afro-American Cultural Center, 1968-2009

1975-07-09 Daily Iowan Article: "Afro-American Cultural Center"

8F - The Daily Iowan University Edition - Wed July 9, 1975

Afro- American Cultural Center

BY MARSHALL T.BOYD

It has been almost six years since the Afro-American Cultural Center (AACC) was established at the UI. Since its inception, the AACC has become a strong cultural foundation for black students and the university community.
  The history of the AACC has been characterized by growth and development of programming and services. " The role of the AACC hasn't changed but has expanded greatly," said Joyce Thomas, resident manager and program coordinator of the center. " Our programming now includes the community and the very young people as well as the students." she added. 
   In the fall of 1967, Charles Derden was serving as president of the Afro-American Student Association. He and several other students initiated a proposal to the Student Senate that would increase black enrollment at the UI. The resolution which included plans for a cultural center, was considered and passed the same year. 
   A report by the Human Rights Committee to the UI Pres. Howard Bowen in 1968 described the need for a black cultural center: " A central gathering place would provide a social gathering spot as well as a place for academic and personal assistance. The feeling of togetherness created by such a center will help overcome the otherwise foreign element of the unfamiliar environment."
    With widespread support from the administration, the Faculty Senate Committee on Human Rights, the Afro-American Student Association and Student Senate, the AACC was established and opened in the fall of 1969.
    The center's first home was the old University News Service building on Market Street that now houses the Women's Resource and Action Center (WRAC). One of the purposes of the AACC is to provide a location on the university community for black students to gather in social atmosphere reflecting black students' interests . In its early stages this purpose was catered to most. 
  " AfroHouse" became the center's pet name and brought along with it connotations both desirable and undesirable. The "House! could easily be thought of as a place to flop, a place to get away from it all or in which to hide. While this may have served some part of the social interest of the black students, there was a need for a more cultural environment. 
  As the center matured, the personnel were able to realize the center's second purpose: to make it a center reflecting the black experience, for cultural expressions and enrichment of black students and the university community. 
   Following the early stages of development, cultural programming played a major part in the center's functioning. Programs and activities offered by the center are varied.
   The AACC has offered movies, speakers, forums and poetry readings which were all open to the public. 
    In the summer of 1970, the center moved to its present location at 26 Byington Rd., behind Hillcrest dormitory. The present " House" has a reading room, library with over 300 volumes, conference room, TV room, general meeting room, creativity workshop, darkroom, and offices for the AACC staff and other black organizations. 
  It is run by Thomas and a staff of ten. A board of directors set the center's policy during its first four years. But Thomas, as resident manager, and programming assistants now have full responsibility for the center's operation. 
   According to Thomas, the center's role in the 70's will be to continue serving as a base for black culture in Iowa City.
    The third purpose of the center is to provide an area for academic development for students. " This year, we have placed more emphasis on educational programming." Thomas said. 
   Workshops make up a good portion of the programming among them the creativitiy workshop and the Young People's workshop. The creativity workshop involves all types of arts and crafts. Young People's workshop meets every other Sunday. It gives kids an opportunity to come together and do different projects. Other programming activities include meetings, receptions, dinners, parties, movies and displays. 
   " We have shown more films this year because the Iowa City community has not included black films in their schedule of programming," Thomas said 
    Scheduling of special and annual events such as open houses, carnivals and parties round out the programming schedule. Increased black enrollment has caused some changes in the center's operation. Because of lack of space, other UI facilities have been used. Also, broadening the program has necessarily increased the staff to better carry out that programming. 
   Thomas said the center is not funded adequately for the activities it conducts for the number of black students presently participating in the activities.
   The AACC cannot use funds from its budget to buy food, games , sporting equipment or any other equipment over $30 . This has been a handicap, according to Thomas. Lack of funding has forced the center to conduct its own fund-raising events. 
   After all of the programming, the AACC still serves as a headquarters for most black organizations at the UI. Black Genesis Dance Troupe, Black Action Theater, Black Poetry Workshop, Black Engineering Students, Black Nursing Students and other groups use the center as a meeting place. The staff assists organizations in any way they can. This may include limited financial support, publicity for events and planning of events. 
   In a report prepared for the Board of Regents on the progress and operations of the center after its first year. Phillip Hubbard, vice president of student affairs, said " The assumption that such centers tend to insulate minority students from the general or 'outside' educational community is inaccurate, and criticism based on that assumption unfair. To the contrary , participants in this small community have used our center as a base from which to address the larger community."
    It can be said that the same thing is true today. The AACC is not just a service to black students but to the entire community. In many places there's a general ignorance about Afro-American culture in general. The center is an opportunity to educate the entire community. 
   According to Thomas, the future will bring an expansion of programs and services. With the black UI student population approaching 450 " the center will have to ask for increased funding to continue the programs we have now and to accommodate increased student participation. " Thomas said.

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8F - The Daily Iowan University Edition - Wed July 9, 1975 Afro- American Cultural Center BY MARSHALL T.BOYD It has been almost six years since the Afro-American Cultural Center (AACC) was established at the UI. Since its inception, the AACC has become a strong cultural foundation for black students and the university community. The history of the AACC has been characterized by growth and development of programming and services. " The role of the AACC hasn't changed but has expanded greatly," said Joyce Thomas, resident manager and program coordinator of the center. " Our programming now includes the community and the very young people as well as the students." she added. In the fall of 1967, Charles Derden was serving as president of the Afro-American Student Association. He and several other students initiated a proposal to the Student Senate that would increase black enrollment at the UI. The resolution which included plans for a cultural center, was considered and passed the same year. A report by the Human Rights Committee to the UI Pres. Howard Bowen in 1968 described the need for a black cultural center: " A central gathering place would provide a social gathering spot as well as a place for academic and personal assistance. The feeling of togetherness created by such a center will help overcome the otherwise foreign element of the unfamiliar environment." With widespread support from the administration, the Faculty Senate Committee on Human Rights, the Afro-American Student Association and Student Senate, the AACC was established and opened in the fall of 1969. The center's first home was the old University News Service building on Market Street that now houses the Women's Resource and Action Center (WRAC). One of the purposes of the AACC is to provide a location on the university community for black students to gather in social atmosphere reflecting black students' interests . In its early stages this purpose was catered to most. " AfroHouse" became the center's pet name and brought along with it connotations both desirable and undesirable. The "House! could easily be thought of as a place to flop, a place to get away from it all or in which to hide. While this may have served some part of the social interest of the black students, there was a need for a more cultural environment. As the center matured, the personnel were able to realize the center's second purpose: to make it a center reflecting the black experience, for cultural expressions and enrichment of black students and the university community. Following the early stages of development, cultural programming played a major part in the center's functioning. Programs and activities offered by the center are varied. The AACC has offered movies, speakers, forums and poetry readings which were all open to the public. In the summer of 1970, the center moved to its present location at 26 Byington Rd., behind Hillcrest dormitory. The present " House" has a reading room, library with over 300 volumes, conference room, TV room, general meeting room, creativity workshop, darkroom, and offices for the AACC staff and other black organizations. It is run by Thomas and a staff of ten. A board of directors set the center's policy during its first four years. But Thomas, as resident manager, and programming assistants now have full responsibility for the center's operation. According to Thomas, the center's role in the 70's will be to continue serving as a base for black culture in Iowa City. The third purpose of the center is to provide an area for academic development for students. " This year, we have placed more emphasis on educational programming." Thomas said. Workshops make up a good portion of the programming among them the creativitiy workshop and the Young People's workshop. The creativity workshop involves all types of arts and crafts. Young People's workshop meets every other Sunday. It gives kids an opportunity to come together and do different projects. Other programming activities include meetings, receptions, dinners, parties, movies and displays. " We have shown more films this year because the Iowa City community has not included black films in their schedule of programming," Thomas said Scheduling of special and annual events such as open houses, carnivals and parties round out the programming schedule. Increased black enrollment has caused some changes in the center's operation. Because of lack of space, other UI facilities have been used. Also, broadening the program has necessarily increased the staff to better carry out that programming. Thomas said the center is not funded adequately for the activities it conducts for the number of black students presently participating in the activities. The AACC cannot use funds from its budget to buy food, games , sporting equipment or any other equipment over $30 . This has been a handicap, according to Thomas. Lack of funding has forced the center to conduct its own fund-raising events. After all of the programming, the AACC still serves as a headquarters for most black organizations at the UI. Black Genesis Dance Troupe, Black Action Theater, Black Poetry Workshop, Black Engineering Students, Black Nursing Students and other groups use the center as a meeting place. The staff assists organizations in any way they can. This may include limited financial support, publicity for events and planning of events. In a report prepared for the Board of Regents on the progress and operations of the center after its first year. Phillip Hubbard, vice president of student affairs, said " The assumption that such centers tend to insulate minority students from the general or 'outside' educational community is inaccurate, and criticism based on that assumption unfair. To the contrary , participants in this small community have used our center as a base from which to address the larger community." It can be said that the same thing is true today. The AACC is not just a service to black students but to the entire community. In many places there's a general ignorance about Afro-American culture in general. The center is an opportunity to educate the entire community. According to Thomas, the future will bring an expansion of programs and services. With the black UI student population approaching 450 " the center will have to ask for increased funding to continue the programs we have now and to accommodate increased student participation. " Thomas said.