Purdue News
Purdue News
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October 1, 1999 Black Cultural Center officially opensSources: Renee Thomas, (765) 494-3091; rathomas@hfs.purdue.edu WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Festivities are planned throughout Purdue's Homecoming Weekend (Oct. 15-17) to celebrate the official grand opening of the university's new Black Cultural Center at 1100 Third St.
"With our alumni, faculty, staff, students and the Greater Lafayette community, we're proud to celebrate the new building's dedication as well as the successes we've achieved during our time in the old facility," said Renee Thomas, director of the Black Cultural Center. Construction on the $3 million project began in March 1998 and was completed in June 1999. Designed by Blackburn Architects of Indianapolis, the center is intended to capture the vigor of African-American culture and the spirit of traditional African architecture. "The center's appearance evokes a feeling of community, reminiscent of the bonds that form within a traditional African village," Thomas said. "More and more, the United States is becoming a global village. So this state-of-the-art facility is geared towards educating all students about the contributions of African-Americans, and helping all students develop the skills needed for success in a global environment." Purdue's original Black Cultural Center, a house on University Street, was officially dedicated in 1970. "The center's presence on campus for the past three decades has helped African-American students gain a greater understanding of our heritage," said Jasmine Burnett, president of the Black Student Union. "The new center is a tangible symbol of our commitment to raise the level of diversity awareness and to promote campus unity." The Black Cultural Center's Grand Opening Weekend festivities begin at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, with a welcome reception. Visitors can stop by the new facility for an informal gathering with light refreshments. The reception is co-sponsored by the Purdue Black Alumni Association. Later that evening, students, visiting alumni and the public can enjoy an evening of theater, poetry, dance and music as part of the BCC Coffee House. The BCC's four performing arts ensembles will perform "New Beginnings – An Evening of Celebration" at 8 p.m. in Loeb Playhouse, Stewart Center. Tickets are $3 for students and $5 for the public, available at the door. At 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, Purdue President Steven C. Beering will officially dedicate the building during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Assisting Beering in the dedication ceremonies will be Thomas, Burnett, Mamon Powers Jr., university trustee from Gary, Ind., Marcus Clarke, chairman of the BCC fund-raising committee, and Vivica Fairbanks-Henderson, president of the Purdue Black Alumni Organization. After the ceremony, student guides will conduct tours of the building at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. A tailgate party sponsored by the Purdue Black Alumni Organization will start at 1 p.m. Kickoff of the Purdue-Michigan State football game is at 2:30 p.m. Cost for the tailgate is $10 per person, $5 for Purdue students and children under 12. Rounding out the grand opening weekend, the BCC invites students, alumni and the public to join in guided discussion groups on Sunday, Oct. 17, exploring the evolution of the center since its inception. "Now and Then: Facilitated Story Telling" is the title of this Cultural Arts Series free event scheduled for 11 a.m. at the BCC. The new building is the BCC's answer to a need for more space and upgraded facilities. The center's 18,000 square feet include: • A new multipurpose room with a wood-sprung floor for dance rehearsals and performances by the BCC ensembles. • A formal lounge and art exhibition area featuring African artifacts and the BCC permanent art collection. • A 20-station IBM computer lab administered by the University Computing Center. • The Ford Learning Resource Center Library, housing a collection of 7,000 books and approximately 40 scholarly and popular periodicals relating to the African-American experience. • Four private study rooms, a student organization office with space for 12 student groups, and several administrative offices. Many African architectural elements are involved in the design of the facility. The center's spatial organization, an octagonal lobby with surrounding rooms, can be compared to a traditional extended-family village. The "keyhole" shaped walkthrough outside the main entrance is similar to the entrance portal of an African village. The lattice design on the cast stone medallions embedded in the portal is a typical African ornamental motif that can be found in wood, basketry, textiles, wall mats and even tattoos. The geometric brick pattern on the four elevations of the building is based on a design used in wall mats founds in Zaire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Also in keeping with traditional African architecture, the facility is comprised of many circular spaces and domes, and its window openings are few, simple, and work within the overall pattern of the walls. The interior of the facility is decorated in earth tones, and the wrought iron balcony represents the occupation of blacksmith. It was this type of ornamental metal iron that was produced in great quantities throughout the 18th and 19th centuries in Charleston, Savannah and New Orleans, where it was often the product of enslaved African labor. The carpet at the entrance was selected for its windmill-like pattern, a design reminiscent of an Andikra motif that means "the ability to face difficulty in life." Among its educational offerings, the Black Cultural Center presents a Cultural Arts Series that includes guest lectures, workshops, seminars and other activities. The series features prominent scholars, performing artists, and Purdue alumni, with an emphasis on those who have contributed extensively to human rights, business and education. Highlights of the Cultural Arts Series include the annual Cultural Arts Festival in December, a celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr., and activities in conjunction with Black History Month in February. The new center also houses four performing arts ensembles – Black Voices of Inspiration, a choir that specializes in gospel music, spirituals and contemporary songs by African-American composers; Haraka Writers, a group of student poets, essayists and short-story writers; Jahari Dance Troupe, which performs a repertoire including African, ballet, folk, jazz, tap and modern dance; and the New Directional Players, a theater group with a focus on presenting thought-provoking drama about the African-American experience. In addition, the Black Cultural Center publishes a student-produced monthly newsletter and administers a mentor program. Writer: Jeanine Smith, (765) 496-3133; jeanine_smith@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu PHOTO CAPTION In keeping with traditional African architecture, Purdue's new Black Cultural Center is comprised of many circular spaces and domes. Chatting in the main dome, these students are standing next to a wrought iron balcony railing reminiscent of the ornamental metal iron that enslaved Africans produced in the American South. (Purdue Office of Publications Photo by Nick Judy) A publication-quality photograph is available at the News Service Web site and at the ftp site. Photo ID: Thomas.dedication
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