Meet the Staff

Renee Thomas

Director
Phone: (765) 494-3091
Email: rathomas@purdue.edu

Renee A. Thomas currently serves as Director of the Purdue University Black Cultural Center. She has twenty years of experience in higher education administration with expertise in program development, student services, community engagement and fundraising. Thomas is committed to promoting a campus climate that ensures the inclusion of diverse students, faculty, and staff in all aspects of the university. During her tenure, Thomas has been known for her ability to nurture, support and mentor students. She plays an active role in enhancing student success and retention. She is service oriented and encourages global citizenship and academic achievement. [Read more]

Bill Caise

Assistant Director
Phone: (765) 494-4630
Email: wpcaise@purdue.edu

Bill Caise, a native of Kentucky, is from a small town just outside of Lexington. Caise did his undergraduate work at the University of Kentucky and received his MFA from the University of Iowa. While at the University of Iowa, Caise appeared in the world premiere productions of Karin Coonrod’s Everything that Rises Must Converge (an adaptation of Flannery O’Connor short stories), Robert Alexander’s The Last Orbit of Billy Mars as well as the Hansberry award winning production of Levy ‘Lee’ Simon’s The Bow Wow Club. Some of Caise’s favorite roles have been Cutler in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Boy Willie in The Piano Lesson, Nick Bottom in A Midsummer’s Night Dream, as well as Chasuble in The Importance of Being Earnest. [Read more]

Langston Bates

Librarian
Phone: (765) 494-3093
Email: bates17@purdue.edu

Born in Chicago and raised in Oklahoma, Langston Bates was appointed Librarian for the Black Cultural Center on Sept. 19, 2011. Bates earned a bachelor's degree in music composition from the University of Oklahoma, a master's degree in music production from the University of Miami and a master's degree in library science from the University of North Texas. Before coming to Purdue, Bates worked as a library assistant at the Melvin B. Tolson Black Heritage Center at Langston University. [Read more]

Jolivette J. Anderson-Douoning

Cultural Liaison & Program Specialist
Phone: (765) 494-3094
Email: jjanderson@purdue.edu

Jolivette Anderson-Douoning M.A. is a native of Shreveport, LA. She spent10 years in Mississippi as an artist, community organizer and activist. Jolivette earned a B.A in Speech/Theater from Louisiana Tech University and a M.A in Humanities/Liberal Studies from Grambling State University. Jolivette designed and implemented a Cultural Identity Curriculum called the D. Ciphers Language Migration: Explorations in Reading, Writing & Critical Thinking in response to the needs of African American public school students.  [Read more]

Juanita Crider

Program Coordinator 
Phone: (765) 494-3097
Email: jcrider@purdue.edu

A native of Baltimore, Juanita Crider came to the Black Cultural Center from Muncie, Ind., where she had lived for 25 years. Crider earned her bachelor’s degree in history from Ball State University and is currently working on her master’s degree in history, with a special focus on college student volunteerism during the 1964 Freedom Summer, also known as the Mississippi Freedom Project. [Read more]

Twana Harris, Ph.D.

Artist-In-Residence, Black Voices of Inspiration
Phone: (765) 494-3095
Email: harris13@purdue.edu

A native of Indianapolis, Twana Harris became the artist-in-residence for the Black Voices of Inspiration at Purdue in 2004. Harris received her bachelor’s degree in music education with emphasis in vocal performance from Lincoln University, a master’s degree in divinity and doctorate of ministry from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. Harris also contributed to the seminary community as a director of the CTS Gospel Choir and professor of preaching. [Read more]

Lisa Sultemeier

Administrative Assistant
Phone: (765) 494-3092
Email: lsulteme@purdue.edu

Prior to her position at the Black Cultural Center, Lisa Sultemeier served in key leadership roles in the areas of finance, academics, administration and student affairs at a private college in Jackson, Miss. She also served as a committee member for marketing and recruiting. [Read more]