A Vision of the Future
Claude McKay, a famous poet from the period of the Harlem Renaissance, once likened an intersection in the Hill District to the "Crossroads of the World." Pittsburgh has played an important role in African American culture and history, producing an enormous number of African American achievers - cultural contributors to whom all Americans can point with pride.
The project of creating the August Wilson Center for African American Culture has been developed and driven forward by the passion and commitment of several groups of people convinced of the need for an organization of this type in Pittsburgh.
The organization was incorporated as a not-for-profit 501(c)3 under the name African American Cultural Center of Greater Pittsburgh in 2002. Four years later, the organization adopted a new name: The August Wilson Center for African American Culture.
Currently, the August Wilson Center for African American Culture is under the direction of President and CEO, Neil A. Barclay, JD, who joined the organization in 2003. Prior to this time the project was governed by a group of stakeholders and a Steering Committee.
Some significant milestones of the project from its inception, through incorporation and into the present day include:
- 1996 :
Pittsburgh NAACP President Tim Stevens along with other members of the Pittsburgh NAACP create "Plans for Progress," an action plan for Pittsburgh's African American community. The plan is drawn up as a part of the NAACP's efforts to attract the national NAACP Convention to the City of Pittsburgh. Included in the plan is a statement urging the mayor to provide strong financial and resource backing for an African American museum.
- 1996:
Mayor Tom Murphy agrees to support the effort to build the museum and arranges for Stevens to meet with Mulugetta Birru, Executive Director of the City of Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority. Dr. Birru is receptive to the idea, and secures a commitment of $500,000 from the URA to begin research on this project.
- 1996:
Mayor Tom Murphy charged Pittsburgh City Council Members Valerie McDonald and Sala Udin with the task of making the dream of building an African American cultural center a reality. A Study Team is formed, and funds for a feasibility study are secured.
- 1999: A Steering Committee is formed to direct the development process. They envision a cultural center with space for exhibitions, performances and education: a new landmark attraction for both local residents and tourists, supporting growth in entertainment, and adding social and economic benefit to the region. This Steering Committee includes: Mulugetta Birru, Carol Brown, Ellsworth Brown, Esther Bush, Oliver Byrd, Doris Carson-Williams, Yvonne Cook, Judith Davenport, Arthur Edmunds, Andrew Masich, Valerie McDonald, Joseph McGrath, Richard Stafford, Timothy Stevens, Williams Strickland, Jr., Sala Udin and Nancy Washington.
- 2000: Lord Cultural Resources Planning & Management, the most prominent international consultancy in the area of museums and cultural facilities management, is commissioned to work with the Steering Committee on the development of the project.
- 2000: A National Charette convenes in Pittsburgh to discuss and debate issues with respect to the future of the proposed African American Cultural Center, its plans, goals and objectives. The national-level Charette brings together community leaders, elected officials, funders, consulting team members, and an invited national panel of experts to inform and energize the project and to give shape to the concept.
- 2001: Under the direction of the Urban Redevelopment Authority, site evaluation and selection is completed. The chosen site is located at the corner of Liberty Avenue, 10th Street and William Penn Way in Downtown Pittsburgh.
- 2002: The African American Cultural Center is incorporated as a 501(c)3 not for profit corporation.
- 2003: The organization hired Neil A. Barclay as its first President and CEO, bringing Mr. Barclay's 30 years of expertise to the new institution as well as a national reputation for innovative programming and leadership.
- 2003: Under the direction of the Carol Brown, the AACC Building Committee completed a design competition for its proposed new facility and hires Allison Williams, an African American architect, to design the building. Ms. Williams and the AACC would subsequently receive positive notices in U.S News and World Report and the New York Times.
- 2004: The AACC announces its first full season of programming.
- 2004:The AACC receives a $4 million grant from The Heinz Endowments.
- 2005: The AACC receives a $2 million commitment to support its capital campaign from the Richard King Mellon Foundation.
- 2005: In October, the construction site for the building location for the August Wilson Center is cleared.
- 2006: The team of Turner Construction Company, Sterling Contracting, LLC, and Ebony Development, LLC, is chosen to manage the construction of the August Wilson Center building.
- 2006: In February, the office of Governor Edward G. Rendell announces that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is committing $5 million towards the Center's building, with further funding to be made available after the initial sum is drawn down. Democratic Senator Jay Costa also announces on behalf of Senators Robert Mellow, Jim Ferlo, Sean Logan and Wayne Fontana, a $1 million grant, adding to the governor's commitment. State Representative Jake Wheatley announces a further grant of $500,000, that he worked to secure with the assistance of House Minority Whip Mike Veon, Rep. Joseph Preston, and other Allegheny County members of the Democratic Caucus of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
- February 17, 2006: At a press conference held at its temporary exhibition gallery in Downtown Pittsburgh, the African American Cultural Center of Greater Pittsburgh officially announces its new name: The August Wilson Center for African American Culture.