About BACC
The mission of the Black Arts & Cultural Center is to develop potential and creativity in Blacks in the Kalamazoo area, advance the awareness of Black artistic ability, preserve Black cultural heritage and enhance interactions among diverse groups in the community.
Our History
In August 1986, Kalamazoo’s first Black Arts Festival was held (Which was inspired by Bertha Barbee-McNeal). The three organizers of the Festival (Gail Sydnor, Lois Jackson and James C. Palmore) wanted to do something to maintain continuity for the next year’s Black Arts Festival and to keep African American art and culture in the forefront year round. They decided to create an organization to carry out those desires. They met regularly during the fall of 1986 and in December 1986, they founded the Black Arts & Cultural Committee. They obtained volunteers from the community for the Board and management of the organization. Also, in 1986, the organization secured a physical space for its activities. The location at 241 N. Kalamazoo Mall was an old boxing training space.
The organization flourished with art, art exhibits, cultural events, classes, theatrical plays, movies, dance, poetry, resource materials and meeting space. In April 1990, the organization replaced the word “Committee” in its name with “Center”. Hence, the organization became the Black Arts & Cultural Center (BACC). Since 2001, BACC has been located in the Epic Center.
BACC continues to carry out its mission by exhibiting the artistry of local, regional, national and international artists, providing a wide range of black arts experiences for youth and adults, producing plays through resident theater company, Face Off Theatre Company, providing arts resources to the community, producing the annual Black Arts Festival and interacting with diverse people in the community through partnership, collaboration and engagement. Recently, it has also placed greater emphasis on maintaining balance between the black arts and black culture services, activities, events and programming that it provides.
Founders
Bertha "Barbee" McNeal
Gail Sydnor
Lois Jackson
James Palmore
BACC Team
Daniel Hamilton
Janine Seals
Dani Lewis
Chianté Lymon
Rufus Ferguson
Jordan Duckens
Andrea Page
Shaina Wolfe
Jania Travis
Kim Guess
Become Involved
Stay In Touch
Get updates in your inbox on what’s going on with the Black Arts & Cultural Center and your community.
Call Us
(269) 349 – 1035
Address
Black Arts & Cultural Center
359 S Kalamazoo Mall Ste. 102
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Email Us
info@blackartskalamazoo.org
Office Hours
Monday – CLOSED
Tuesday – Friday 9am – 5pm
Gail Sydnor Gallery Hours
Tuesday-Friday 10am-4pm
Office hours are sometimes flexible. We encourage calling before visiting and emailing to schedule Gail Sydnor Gallery viewing and Executive Director appointments.