The Red and Black

By MICHELLE GOSSETT Staff Writer

The African American Cultural Center, which is a division of Minority Services and Programs, provides a wide variety of programs, events and exhibits throughout the year.

Joi Bostic, program coordinator for the AACC, said she tries to schedule programs that people can get involved in and learn something about the African-American culture, instead of ones where students just sit and listen, such as lectures.

To commemorate black history quarter, many of the center's winter programs are arranged around the theme, "Africa - It's not the jungle!" in an attempt to dispel myths about Africa, Bostic said.

These events include food tastings from different regions in Africa, an African naming ceremony, a fashion show and a traditional African wedding ceremony.

Recently, the center has taken a curriculum on African history into elementary, middle and high schools in Athens-Clarke County and is sponsoring a fine arts contest based on these lessons.

Students involved in the center have very positive things to say about it.

Erroyl McGinty, Jr., a senior from Atlanta said the center is a meaningful place.

"We've got poets, artists, there's so much talent here," McGinty said.

All people are welcome at the center, and it is home to people of various cultures, not just African-Americans, Bostic said.

"One of the things that I never want people to think is that the cultural center isn't open for everybody, because it is," Bostic said. "We really try to make people feel at home, regardless of their race, gender or age."

Laila Hassan, a junior from Decatur, agreed.

"Actually, the center's very diverse. A lot of people from different cultures come here," she said.

Some upcoming events sponsored by the AACC include BTE's production of Romeo and Juliet currently running and the Traditional African Wedding Sunday.

For more information, contact the AACC at 542-8468, or stop by their office at 408 Memorial Hall.

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