Homeward Bound

dancers mural in the basement of BCC building, unknown artist, circa 1997 

The period of delays associated with Dean Herman Hudson's initial proposal for the construction of Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center and its actual completion spans more than twenty years.  For over twenty years, proposals were restated, re-configured, re-conceptualized, broadened to include a Black Sports Archive, compromised and sadly, Dr. Hudson passed away without fully enjoying the fruits of his labors.

The Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center opened its doors in 2002.  Dr. Herman Hudson passed away in 2003.

Such history is impossible to address adequately here and is not our ultimate purpose.  What this exhibit hopes to evoke is a sense of thwarted plans and a larger sense of Fate at play.  The murals represent the beauty of promise in Dr. Hudson's dreams and the fire in 1993, the power of forces beyond his control.  The 1979-1980 annual report provides a look into what he would have liked to create and the resplendent color photo of the building in 1997 proves that his achievements were already profoundly significant, if only because he built them out of dust, grit and determination.

african male and female depicted in mural in basement of BCC, circa 1997

[the disposition of these two murals is unknown, but it is assumed they were destroyed with/prior to the building's demolition]

cover of 1985-1986 Black Faculty and Staff directory, creator?

detail of 1985-1986 Black Faculty and Staff Directory notes two black librarians, one at BCC and one at Education Library

1979-1980 annual report, Programs Under the Dean for Afro-American Affairs; new Black Culture Center proposal with specific mention of plans for library [page 2 of report]

1979-1980 annual report, Programs Under the Dean for Afro-American Affairs; new Black Culture Center proposal with specific mention of plans for library [page 3 of report]

1993, BCC fire

firefighter ascends stairs in scene from 1993 BCC fire