55+ Years of the African American Cultural Center at NC State
Legacy, Libations, and Liberation
For more than fifty-five years, the African American Cultural Center (AACC) at NC State has served as a place of belonging, learning, leadership, and community. Since its founding, the Center has nurtured generations of students, celebrated Black culture and history, and challenged our campus to imagine a more just and expansive future.
As we continue our 55th Anniversary Year, we honor the spirit of last year’s theme, Rooted. Our roots ground us in the wisdom, courage, and vision of those who came before us. This year, we celebrate how those roots have grown into an enduring legacy while cultivating the future that lies ahead.
Legacy, Libations, and Liberation
Our 2026 anniversary theme – Legacy, Libations, and Liberation – invites us to reflect on where we have been, celebrate who we are today, and boldly envision what is yet to come.
Throughout the year, we invite students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members to join us as we commemorate this milestone through signature programs and events, special collaborations, and opportunities to invest in the next generation of the African American Cultural Center.
Declaration Day
September 11, 2026
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Sankofa Room | Witherspoon Student Center, 126
Declaration Day is a historic ceremony commemorating the founding and enduring impact of the African American Cultural Center.
Held on September 11, the birthday of Dr. Augustus Witherspoon, this gathering will:
- Celebrate the 55th Anniversary of the African American Cultural Center.
- Honor the lives and legacies of Dr. Augustus Witherspoon, Dr. Lawrence Clark, and the many whose vision and advocacy were instrumental in establishing the Center.
- Officially declare September 11 as the annual anniversary date of the African American Cultural Center at NC State.
- Strengthen NC State’s institutional memory by preserving and sharing the history of the Center for future generations.
Declaration Day is more than a ceremony. It is an act of remembrance, gratitude, and commitment. Together we honor the past, affirm the present, and declare the future of the African American Cultural Center.
55th Anniversary Gala
Stay Tuned — Details Forthcoming
Our 55th Anniversary Gala, is an evening honoring the remarkable people, stories, and milestones that have shaped the African American Cultural Center over the past five decades.
We will celebrate our shared history by highlighting the impact of the Center on generations of students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the broader NC State community. Through storytelling, fellowship, and celebration, we reflect on our journey and invite our community to invest in the next chapter of the AACC.
Whether you helped build this legacy or are just beginning your connection with the Cultural Center, this evening is an opportunity to celebrate what we have accomplished and what we will continue to create together.
Signature Anniversary Programs
Our anniversary celebration extends throughout the academic year. Visit us to see how the spirit of Legacy, Libations, and Liberation is woven into many of our signature programs.
About F.Y.E. Foundations
The AACC’s inaugural Finding Your Edge (F.Y.E.) Foundations program welcomes new, returning, and transfer students into community while helping them discover purpose, cultivate belonging, and build the foundation for success at NC State. As we celebrate 55 years, we continue investing in the next generation of leaders who will carry our legacy forward.
Join Us!
For more than 55 years, the African American Cultural Center has been a place where students have found community, developed as leaders, celebrated culture, and imagined new futures.
This anniversary is more than a celebration of longevity; it is a celebration of vision, resilience, and possibility.
Join us as we honor our legacy, raise a libation to those who made this journey possible, and continue the work of liberation for generations to come.
About The Symposium on Afrofuturism and Diasporic Scholarship
Our annual symposium brings together student scholars, faculty, staff, artists, and community members to explore futures, diasporic knowledge, and visionary scholarship. This year’s symposium reflects our commitment to honoring our history while imagining new possibilities for generations to come.
Students should stay tuned for opportunities to learn how to develop and showcase their ideas!
Celebrate All Year
The 55th Anniversary will be visible across the Center throughout the year.
Look for:
- Limited-edition 55th Anniversary merchandise
- Special anniversary collaborations and partnerships
- Commemorative programming across the academic year
- Alumni engagement opportunities
- Storytelling initiatives celebrating the history of the AACC
- Opportunities to support and invest in the future of the Center
Every event, conversation, and collaboration becomes part of the continuing story of the African American Cultural Center.