African American Cultural Center

This place is really great, but the management does nothing to advertise its greatness. I should do something about that and volunteer my services as a digital marketer.
I’ve been here a few times. I was first introduced to it through my associations with the NCNW. I went over, saw they had an extensive selection of resources to use for some research I was doing, went back and used the resources, then forgot about it for a while.
I came upon it again during a Black History L.A. tour. We then had a talk by some of the very prolific organizers who help manage the Center. It was great! But then I forgot about it again–
–until my Pan-​African doctoral support group had an event there. It’s been on radar every since. They have Kwanzaa history events there in December, Black film studies there periodically, social news panels there periodically, etc. It really is a great place, but the marketing keeps it off radar.

I’m surprised there aren’t any reviews of this place. I was there for a community event this week (on the clinical trials of prophylactic anti-​retroviral drugs for HIV and how they affect the African American community) and thought the place was pretty great.
It’s a comfortable and very welcoming space, whether you’re Black or not (the bf is White and he showed up for the meeting after I did, and was welcomed and chatted up by the organizers). It’s full of books (seriously, they have like a library of African American history in there), photographs, and beautiful African art and furniture. The event was packed with community leaders from various organizations, and even on such a loaded topic as HIV the discourse was respectful and complex.
I plan to go back on a normal day. They host a discussion hour every Friday evening and various events throughout the month (there’s a calendar on the website). If you’re Black and need to be around your people, this is a great place, and if you’re not Black but want to hang out or learn, this is also a great place.
Bonus: It’s right down the street from Chef Marilyn’s Soul Food (on Crenshaw), who catered this event with some DANG good food. Also if you need a beauty supply store you’ll be in luck nearby. Oh AND lest I forget, the founder, Dr. Karenga, invented Kwanzaa. Nuff said.