OUR VISION
for the African American cultural center
Project Goals
and Results
To re-imagine a transformative African American Culture Center (AACC), that is a living AACC that stands as a powerful guardian of African history, traditions, and achievements. Our goals are to illuminate the rich legacy of African American culture in Tacoma, Washington, ensuring its vitality and relevance for future generation. We will strive to inspire, educate, and empower the community by preserving and celebrating the amazing stories that define our identity and shape our collective future.
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To establish a dynamic cultural epicenter that champion comprehensive resources for social & economic advancement, education, fosters intergenerational pride, and strengthens the fabric of our community. Our vision is to create a living space where African Americans are celebrated and recognized as pillars of perseverance and resilience. Providing housing (200 Apartment), engaging programs and initiatives while building bridges of understanding that is tantamount to integrating healthy relationships.
Psychologists have long recognized the importance of cultural centers; they are vital to the identity and vitality of any race. Serving as a living repository, traditions and values. It acts as a beacon of collective memory, while preserving the stories and heritage of a people. In essence, a culture center is the heart of a race’s cultural resilience, continuity, and expression, which is vital for both the preservation of heritage and the nurturing of a vibrant future for generations to come. Currently, there is nothing that even resembles an AACC in Tacoma, Washington.
This project will also assist in the crisis of eliminating homelessness in the Tacoma, Washington (by building 200 apartments) which African American according to recent Pierce Count Point (PIT) in Time count data, Black or African American people make up 10-11% of the Tacoma Population. But they account for about 25-30% of the homeless population. This disparity reflects systemic inequalities in housing, employment, and incarceration which contributes to higher rates of homelessness among African Americans.
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According to recent Data from the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI): In 2022-2023 school year, Tacoma Public Schools reported approximately 2,200 students as experiencing homelessness. Of those students, around 25-30% were identified as Black or African American. In Tacoma School District alone, an estimated 550 to 660 Black/African American students in Tacoma School District #10 are considered homeless
