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In November 2023, the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center (BNAACC) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign was named the “2023 Cultural Center of the Year” by the Association for Black Culture Centers (ABCC).
This award recognizes the work of BNAACC’s programs, initiatives, and overall impact and acknowledges the center’s dedication to the development and success of the students they serve. The ABCC’s decision to award BNAACC with this national honor demonstrates their understanding of the center’s exemplary commitment to providing students with socially active and active learning environments. BNAACC is steadfast in their commitment to fulfilling the needs of students and to aligning the priorities of the center and the university to positively and powerfully impact the student experience at Illinois.
“For me, this award pays tribute to our current work and the meaning and significance of Sankofa; that we must reflect on the past to build a successful future. It pays homage to some of our first students (Jonathan Rogan, Wiliam Walter Smith, Quintella King, Ruth Cash and so many more), our first Director, Ms. Val Gray Ward, our longest serving Director, Bruce D. Nesbitt and the myriad of former students, directors, graduate assistants, coordinators, assistant and associate directors, office support staff, campus collaborators, community members and friends of the center,” said Jazmyne Kellogg, BNAACC Director.
Also recognized was Illinois student, Lauren Purchase, as the “2023 Undergraduate of the Year” for her leadership, engagement and advocacy. Purchase is majoring in Sociology and African American Studies with a double minor in Legal Studies and Criminology and Law and Society. She anticipates graduating in 2024. After graduation Purchase aspires to become a lawyer.
Purchase remarked, “BNAACC has allowed me to grow tremendously, both professionally and personally during my time at the University of Illinois, resulting in preparing me to be a leader on- and off-campus. BNAACC will always hold a special place in my heart because they have developed me into the leader I am today. More specifically, Jazmyne Kellogg, BNAACC Director, has mentored me through my time at Illinois. She has taught me many things and opened many doors for me. I will forever cherish her for guiding me.”
BNAACC’s mission is to provides a network of programs and support services that promote the individual, social, cultural and academic wellbeing of Illinois’ African American students. The center develops sustainable initiatives that examine the Black experience in the United States and throughout the African Diaspora via critical dialogue, heritage exploration and the performing arts. Furthermore, BNAACC challenges all Illinois students to critically assess their role as global citizens and to consciously advocate for a respectful campus environment and community.
In thinking about this mission and the significance of attaining the ABCC “2023 Cultural Center of the Year” award, Kellogg shared, “This award is a dedication to how in the present day we exemplify our motto boldly Illinois. We deliver on the promise to foster innovation, provide transformative learning experiences, make significant and visible impact and to be good stewards of our current resources. I hope this award encourages additional stakeholders to want to be involved in actualizing inclusive excellence with us.”
Learn more about the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center (BNAACC) at bnaacc.illinois.edu.
To continue supporting the work of BNAACC, consider giving a gift to their general fund at bnaacc.illinois.edu/give.