Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center Construction

In 1969, the Afro-American Cultural Program was created with the two-fold purpose of assisting the university in providing a safe and welcoming environment for African American students and a resource to the campus at-large regarding African American contributions and issues. Since that time the presence of the former Afro-American Cultural Program has remained while the format has changed.

Now called the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center (BNAACC), the new building which opened on April 9, 2019, provides the opportunity for staff to continue serving students, faculty, staff, alumni, and other stakeholders in new and innovative ways.

Terry Townsend is a long-time civil rights leader and former member of the University of Illinois Black Student Association (BSA). He served for 10 years as a Housing Commissioner for the Housing Authority of Champaign County. He holds degrees from the University of Illinois, and is a reciprocal retiree of both the University of Illinois and the state of Illinois.

Said Townsend: “The Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center is the signature achievement of the Black Student Association (BSA). The students and Chancellor Wilson’s courageous acts deserve acknowledgement, and the University deserves our continued financial support. But let us be clear, there is more work to be done.”