African American Cultural Center of Long Beach

"When people know about themselves, they do better and they are better in and for society," believes the AACCLB. The Mayor and City Council of the City of Long Beach have invested resources, staff, and effort into the creation of the African American Cultural Center (AACCLB) since early 2018. From February through November of 2019, the City Manager's Office worked with the AACCLB Community Advisory Committee, Lord Cultural Resources, Environ Architecture, Inc., Wiggins Hunter Consulting Group, and residents through monthly committee meetings, subcommittee meetings, key stakeholder interviews, surveys, community roundtables, and events, informational workshops, and site tours, to complete the community visioning process.

The result of these facilitated meetings of the AACCLB Advisory Committee was a 'Preliminary Institutional Business Plan' that recommended the next steps be taken by the AACCLB.

From October 2019 to March 2020 the AACCLB has established the Governance and Fiscal structure and received its State and Federal non-profit status and EIN.

On September 1, 2021, AACCLB obtained a home in the Expo Arts Center.

There is no shortage of passion and perseverance to create the AACCLB among the Board of Directors and City Council.

Testimonials

"We have to give ourselves a lot more credit, we've come a long way from before."
-Sharon Diggs-Jackson-Board Member

"This environment, culture, and teachings they provide has made a great difference in my family's life"
-Community Member

"It is very important that we carry the legacy of what was taken from us and give it back to our children"
-Ndella-West African Dance Instructor