What’s Happening at the
Afro-American Cultural Center
2007 Family Cultural Appreciation Day Festivities another success-
On Saturday, July 28, the Afro-American Cultural Center hosted its
annual Family Cultural Appreciation Day Celebration. Over 500 people
attended and everyone, especially the kids, appeared to have a great
time. There was live music, health screenings, artists displaying
their wares, a fashion show, and many other activities throughout
the day. The day concluded with an informative and entertaining
production, “If This Bench Could Talk”, performed by the Center’s
own Roundtable Fellows in the Attic Theatre. Thanks to all the
performers and vendors, our staff, our volunteers, our Fashion Show
Commentator, Carolyn Mints and, particularly our sponsors, Wachovia
and Presbyterian Healthcare. Thanks also to Bea Thompson and V101.9,
who always support our efforts.
New Corporate Sponsors-
Speaking of sponsors, as the Center continues to work more closely
with both the cultural and corporate communities, we are pleased to
announce that Time Warner, The Charlotte Post, and the Charlotte
Regional Partnership have joined Presbyterian Healthcare as new
sponsors. Time Warner joins as a media sponsor helping to promote
all AACC programming over its cable network throughout the region
through June of 2008. The Charlotte Regional Partnership will help
underwrite an exciting new photographic exhibition we’ll talk about
in detail below. Charlotte Post Publisher and new AACC Board member,
Gerald Johnson, has kindly offered to provide a free-one year
subscription to new members of the AACC. If
you would like to help in our mission to present, promote and
preserve African American art, culture, and history for all people,
please
click here
to become a member. If you are already a member, know that we
appreciate your continued support!
International motivational speaker Les Brown visits the Center-
On Monday, July 30, Jaye Delai’s 101 Steps to Success Foundation
held its Leadership Luncheon at the Center. Guests were not only
treated to another inspirational presentation by Les, but after
reminding the audience that he was 63 years old, he dropped to the
stage floor and did 75 push-ups while they counted. His feat was met
with a standing ovation. Mr. Brown will return to the Center in a
few months to conduct a fundraiser on behalf of the AACC.
New Board members-
The AACC has increased the size of its Board of Directors
significantly, adding twelve new members over the last year. This
will help to assist us in making the Center all that it can be. It
will also allow Board Chairman Earl Leake to continue building on
the success we experienced last year. The Board has been busy, and
will complete the Strategic Plan for the Center this summer.
Click here
to see the complete list of AACC Board Members.
“Art In Motion” Fashion Show a Sell-out! -
The 1st annual fashion show and fundraiser held at the
Center received rave reviews from the sold-out crowd. They were
treated to a reception, and then to a wide variety of fashions
including casual, evening wear, and African garb. Proceeds from the
show benefited the AACC’s educational programs.
Click here
to see photos from the event! Following the show, many guests asked
when and where the next event of this kind would be. We will
definitely see you next year in the spring! Special thanks to all of
the models, volunteers, staff, food and beverage providers, and the
Friend of the Arts Women’s Auxiliary for a job very well done!
New AACC Facility Wins Award-
Congratulations to our architects, The Freelon Group, on the award
they recently received for the design of the soon-to-be-constructed
$18 million new home of the AACC. The National American Institute of
Architects recognized their outstanding creativity in its “Unbuilt”
category, even though we haven’t broken ground yet.. The
groundbreaking is set for January,2008 and the facility will open in
the summer of 2009. Great job by Phil Freelon and his entire team!
The building was featured in the industry’s top trade publication,
the Architectural Record, and appeared on the cover of
Metro architectural magazine. This state-of-the-art
facility in the old Brooklyn neighborhood will help us continue to
educate all people about the history and talent of African
Americans.
Don’t miss our next exhibitions, “The Katrina Project- One Year Later” and “Nouns In The Road.”. The Katrina Project and Nouns in the Road are two compelling photographic exhibitions that will open at the Center on September 15 to the general public. They are a "must see" for young and old alike. The Katrina Project captures the incredible devastation of Hurricane Katrina that remained even one year after it ripped through the Gulf Coast while also telling the heart-felt stories of its survivors. Nouns in the Road is a photographic journey of Emmy nominated filmmaker Carolyn McDonald chronicle of the faces, places and spaces that she encountered during her years as she was being raised in rural North Carolina.
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