MARCH 28 - 30, 2025
55th ANNIVERSARY THEME & GOALS
Through strategic planning, partnership with faculty, staff, administrators, and local New Haven community members, the three undergraduate student activists who founded the Afro American Cultural Center at Yale- Donald Ogilvie ’68, Armstead Robinson ’69, and Glenn deChabert ’70- created a space that has stood the test of time. The House’s 55th anniversary theme is A House Built to Last: Celebrating Our Past While Planning for a Sustainable Future. This theme is particularly timely because of all that is happening on campus and beyond. While the repeal of affirmative action by the Supreme Court has led to the restructuring or shuttering of spaces like ours on many campuses across the nation, The House continues to provide a sense of belonging, comfort, support, and community for the Black diaspora on campus. Given the historic national election of 2024, our national and campuswide reconciliation with the history and treatment of Black people, and the repeal of affirmation action, it’s an important moment to recognize historically impactful institutions like The House that are beacons of community and progress. It’s also essential to reaffirm our commitment to these spaces by planning for their sustainability for decades to come.
The AFAM55 conference and gala weekend will foster community by providing opportunity to:
- celebrate our legacy as the first cultural center at Yale, first and largest Black cultural center of the Ivy League, and one of the first Black cultural centers in North America,
- explore the historic impact of Black Yalies before the founding of The House and for the fifty-five years since,
- engage with students, alumni, faculty, staff, and local leaders through panels, discussions, and networking,
- plan for the future of The House and all of our roles in sustaining its impact as a home away from home for the Black diaspora at Yale, a conduit of relationship-building between the Yale and the predominantly Black New Haven community that surrounds it, and a beacon of belonging on campus and beyond.
PLANNING COMMITTEE & COORDINATION
The House’s 55th Anniversary Planning Committee is responsible for coordinating a schedule of events that resonates with our broader constituency across generations, disciplines, professions, and regions. They work together to ensure that the AFAM55 theme, related events, and promotional materials are aligned with the vision for The House’s anniversary celebrations and with The House’s spirit.
Dean Timeica E. Bethel- JE ‘11, Director of the Afro American Cultural Center at Yale, provides oversight, advising, planning and administrative support for all aspects of the year-round anniversary celebrations and conference weekend. The House’s student staff offer assistance with archival research, the production of promotional materials, planning and execution of buzz events, and logistical support.
The Planning Committee is comprised of student and alumni co-chairs.
THE LOGO
The Logo for the 55th anniversary of the Afro American Cultural Center at Yale was designed by David Jon Walker- MFA ‘23 with input from The House’s Director, Dean Timeica E. Bethel- YC ‘11. Watch the video below to hear more about the design from the artist himself.
Video coming soon.
#YaleAFAM55
#AHOUSEBUILTTOLAST
Afro-American Cultural Center at Yale
211 Park Street, New Haven CT 06511
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Questions? Contact yaleafam55@gmail.com or +1 (203) 432 4131