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Mission
The Office of Multicultural Services and Programs promotes student development through educational programs, cultural awareness and leadership activities. These components will create inclusion and retention in the University of Georgia community with the support of students, alumni, faculty and staff. We value and celebrate diversity, similarities among cultures, and the appreciation of everyone.
The African American Cultural Center (AACC) exists to assist the University in its mission of creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for African American students. The Cultural Center provides a venue where students of the African Diaspora can network with one another, meet new people, learn about their cultural heritage and traditions, display their talents, and implement programs. The AACC also promotes academic excellence in all students through the Abeneefoo Kuo Honor Society and the Rite of Sankofa Graduation programs. The objectives of the African American Cultural Center are: |
- To provide cultural outlets for student talent through various organizations
- and venues; i.e. Black Theatrical Ensemble, Pamoja Dance Company and
- Artist exhibitions.
- To provide programs and activities that foster networking and relationship
- building across the campus and in the local African American Community.
- To recognize the achievements of academic excellence; i.e. Rite of Sankofa
- Graduation Celebration Program, and Abeneefoo Kuo Honor Society.
- To celebrate the historical achievements of African Americans through
- Black History Month Programming.
- To serve as an informational resource through the book and video library.
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History
The University of Georgia Office of Minority Services and Programs (MSP) was established in 1989. The Black Faculty and Staff Organization and the President’s Minority Advisory Committee (PMAC) were instrumental in gaining support and approval from then UGA President, Charles Knapp to establish MSP. Dr. Leslie K. Bates was chosen as the first director of MSP. Five years later, in 1994, the African American Cultural Center was founded through a collaborative effort of the Division of Student Affairs, African American Studies department and members of the Black Faculty and Staff Organization for the purpose of creating an environment of cultural growth, sensitivity and appreciation of African American History and the contributions of the African Diaspora. During the early years, the Cultural Center hosted the African American Diaspora Lecture Series, Liberation Lecture Series, Artist in Residence Program, performances by the Pamoja Dance Company and the Black Theatrical Ensemble as well as visiting artists. Effective July 1, 2004, the African American Cultural Center became an independent unit within the Dean of Students. In 2005 MSP changed its name from the Minority Services and Programs to Multicultural Services and Programs. On July 1, 2006, the Department of Intercultural Affairs was established as a result of restructuring within the Division of Student Affairs and the African American Cultural Center became one of three units placed in that department. Effective July 1, 2009 the African American Cultural Center re-joined the Office of Multicultural Services and Programs.
Past Directors of MSP
Dr. Leslie K. Bates. 1989-1998
Dr. Sherwood Thompson, 1999-2001
Vanessa Williams Smith, Associate Dean, 2001-2006
Past Leaders of AACC
Kimberly Johnson-Thomas, Coordinator, 1995-1997
Joi Bostic, Coordinator, 1997-1998
Kimberly Butler-Roberts, Coordinator, 1999-2001
Joe Jones, Assistant Dean, 2001
Current Leader of AACC
LaRetha Spain Shuler, Associate Director, 2006 - Present
(Associate Dean, 2004 – 2006 & Assistant Dean 2002-2004)
Programs & Services
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Kwanzaa is a unique African American celebration that focuses on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce, and self-improvement. Kwanzaa is neither political nor religious and is not a substitute for Christmas. AACC sponsors a campus/community celebration which includes African dance, music, poetry and food. Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26-January 1st. UGA is not in session during this time so we do a Pre-Kwanzaa celebration. As soon as the details are set for the 2007 event, this site will be updated.
Black History Month is celebrated every February. This month long series of events focus on the history, culture and accomplishments of African Americans. AACC coordinates the many activities that are planned throughout campus as well as develops and distributes the annual Black History Month Calendar.
Black History Month 2007 National Theme - "From Slavery to Freedom: The Story of Africans in the Americas"
2007 UGA Black History Month Events
Rite of Sankofa affords the African American Cultural Center the opportunity to honor our students’ accomplishments. The program is a celebration and an African rites of passage ceremony open to all graduates of the University of Georgia. The ceremony is traditionally held at the end of the fall and spring semesters.
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Student Organizations
LISTo - Latinos Investing in the Students of Tomorrow (LISTo) is a peer-mentoring program that pairs upper class Latino/a students with first-year Latino/a students to provide a successful transition from high school to college and aid in the navigation of campus resources and leadership opportunities.
Sustained Dialogue - Sustained Dialogue is a unique, proactive process that brings together students to talk about issues of inequality that exist on campus. Sustained Dialogue is different from other change processes because it focuses on transforming relationships that cause problems. Since relationships change over time, Sustained Dialogue is a five-stage process culminating in collective action.
B.E.S.T. - The Black Educational Support Team (B.E.S.T.) are a team of peer mentors/counselors who serve as information sources, academic tutors, resource centers, and as liaisons between students and their involvement in other extracurricular activities. BEST currently has approximately 350 mentees. |
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B.M.L.S. - The Black Male Leadership Society is a coordinating committee composed of faculty, staff, and students at the University of Georgia dedicated to assisting in the development of black males into leaders. The organization provides monthly meetings addressing issues facing black males, encourages political activism, and promotes community service, social aptitude, and the enhancement of unity. A male retreat is held annually.
B.S.U - The Black Student Union serves as an umbrella organization for all of the student groups of the African American Cultural Center. This organization utilizes collective resources in order to create and maintain an academic environment that is conducive to the successful matriculation and retention of African Americans and persons of African decent
Facillities
Call 706-542-8468 to reserve AACC facilities.
AACC Reservation Request Form
Adinkra Hall
Adinkra Hall is a multipurpose room, that is open to students and guests during the day to study, eat lunch, talk about issues and concerns, listen to the radio, play the piano, relax or watch TV. In the evenings Adinkra Hall is used for programs and events, rehearsals, auditions, and meetings. This room is equipped with a projector for PowerPoint presentations.
Conference Room 411
- Large Conference Table
- 33 Chairs
Meeting Room 414
- 81 chairs
- Large Lectern
- Small work table
Conference/Art Exhibit Room 406
- One large conference table w/ 10 chairs
- Dry erase board
- This room can be converted to lecture style for 30 people
Computer Lab
- Four computers
- Color Printers
- Black and white printer
- Scanners
Complaints
If you feel like you have been discriminated against or harassed based on your race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, or physical or mental ability, please submit a complaint via the following claim form.
Links
Academic Depts & Services
Professional Associations
Entertainment Web Sites
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Student Organizations
Sites of Cultural Interest
Scholarship Information
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Contacts
African American Cultural Center
University of Georgia
404 Memorial Hall
Athens, GA 30602
Telephone: 706-542-8468
Fax: 706-542-3956
Multicultural Services and Programs
University of Georgia
216 Memorial Hall
Athens, GA 30602
Telephone: 706-542-5773
Fax: 706-542-8478
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