BJJBCC Mission

The Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center (BJJBCC) provides educational and cultural programming on the African and African American experience for the Vanderbilt and Nashville communities. Dedicated in 1984, the Center is named for the first African-American student admitted to Vanderbilt (in 1953), Bishop Joseph Johnson (B.D., '54; Ph.D., '58). The Center represents one of Vanderbilt's numerous efforts at acknowledging and promoting diversity.

One of the Center's aims is to foster an understanding of the values and cultural heritage of people of African descent worldwide. In this regard, the Center serves as a resource for information on African and African-American life and culture. Symposia, lectures, musical performances, art exhibitions, audiovisual materials, and publications on the African and African American experience provide a broad spectrum of activities for the University and the general public. The Center also provides an office space for the Afro-Hispanic Review, which is edited by Vanderbilt faculty and graduate students.

Another of the Center's aims is student support. The Center does this by providing a meeting space for numerous Vanderbilt student groups. Additionally, Center staff members advise campus student organizations on a range of projects, The Center promotes student recruitment by hosting various pre-college groups and efforts.   One additional goal of the Center is community outreach and service. To this end, the Center sponsors a Community Speakers Series designed to bring community leaders to campus for talks and forums. The Center reaches out to civic and cultural groups and works cooperatively with them. The BJJBCC also provides space for tutoring sessions and mentoring activities for young people from the Nashville Public Schools and other institutions, such as the YMCA.

Recently expanded, and renovated, the Center houses a computer lab, a small library, a seminar room, an auditorium, a student lounge area and staff offices. The Center is open to all Vanderbilt students, faculty and staff for programs and gatherings throughout the year. More information is available on the BJJBCC Web site at www.vanderbilt.edu/BCC.