By Sherry Heesacker Bosch

 

Dr. Linda Thomas-Buchanan, Black Cultural Center director, works with staff member Magdalena Mocarska, '03.

Today, the College continues its commitment to interracial education. To assist in this effort, the Black Cultural Center was founded in July 1983. The Center was established on the premise that true integration and equality cannot be achieved without a general awareness, understanding and appreciation of black culture. Thus, the Black Cultural Center provides programs and services that foster cross-cultural exchanges and interaction.

One of the missions of the Center is to assist the College in maintaining an environment that acknowledges, respects and enhances diversity and promotes multicultural educational opportunities.

"Diversity is at the core of everything we do," says Dr. Linda Thomas-Buchanan, director of the Black Cultural Center and assistant professor of General Studies. "Although our programs are intentionally planned to address the needs of students of color, we do reach out to the majority student population. It is important that all students, faculty, and staff are involved in the programs offered by the Center. We want to reach across all racial lines to promote awareness, understanding and appreciation for cultural differences."

The Center also assists students of color in developing a greater understanding of their own culture and heritage. "I see the Black Cultural Center as a catalyst for academic, social and cultural growth," says Charlie Shavers ‘01, a business administration major from Montgomery, Ala.

Some of the programs dedicated to these goals include Black History Month, a month long celebration of programs and activities that pay tribute to the history, heritage and contributions of African Americans. The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration commemorates the legacy of Dr. King with a worship and praise service, unity march, convocation and a ‘beloved community’ dinner.

Kwanzaa, another program sponsored through the Center, is an African American holiday honoring family, community and culture, celebrated the week after Christmas. The Center combines all Kwanzaa principles into one day to allow the Berea community an opportunity to share in this cultural celebration.

 

At the Black Cultural Center open house this fall, Betty Hibler (center) associate director of the Center for Excellence in Learning through Service (CELTS) learns more about the Center's activities from Beatrice Nokuri, '02 (left) and Cherie Timmons, '02.

Students, with guidance from the Director, plan many of these programs and activities sponsored by the Center. They learn valuable skills as they work to create, coordinate and collaborate with others to provide educational and culturally enriched programs.

"My work experience at the Black Cultural Center has truly aided me in becoming a strong, efficient and independent leader, who is ready to enter the real world," says Tifanie McMillan ‘02, Student Program Coordinator and business administration/marketing and management major from Cincinnati, Ohio.

Another primary goal of the Black Cultural Center is to assist the College in its effort to recruit, retain and graduate students of color. Designed for this purpose, a Community Social, held during orientation week, welcomes and introduces new students of color to faculty, staff, other students and community members.

"One of our priorities in the Black Cultural Center is not only to help retain students of color, but to create a campus environment in which they can thrive successfully and persist to graduation," Thomas-Buchanan says.

"The Black Cultural Center is one of the major reasons why Berea is reclaiming its banner of interracial education," says Andy Hogue, ’01, a history major from Scottsville, Ky. "They are why enrollment is up and why retention is so great. Without the Black Cultural Center, the black community would be less cohesive, less active as a group, and less visible as leaders on the campus."

Collaborating with other student organizations and departments on campus, the Center provides support services, programs and activities that promote the intellectual, career, social, moral and personal development of students of color to help them achieve their highest educational potential. The Center’s Peer Advising Program was designed to assist new students of color in making a successful transition to college life. Tailored to meet the needs of these students, peer advisers provide information and referrals on topics such as homesickness, study skills, depression, relationship issues, spirituality, time management and tutorials.

 

The Black Cultural Center Staff

"The Black Cultural Center has provided me and my son with the support and entertainment I needed to thrive and prosper on the Berea College campus," says NaKisha Anderson ‘02, a child and family studies major from Greenville, S.C.

The Black Cultural Center continues to work in promoting and providing efficient and adequate programs, services, support, and networking opportunities to their students. As Dr. Thomas-Buchanan exclaims, "I am excited about the things that are happening at Berea and in the Center!"