Organization - African American Cultural Center

The African American Cultural Center (AACC) is a 501 © (3) organization whose mission is to provide social and educational programs that foster academic achievement, economic development, and cultural diversity, that builds strong communities for the children and families living in Kent and South King County.

Description:
Since 1996 the AACC has facilitated and developed educational enrichment programs to increase academic success for low-income, high-risk, and disadvantaged children/youth in the Kent/South King County area with a targeted focus on African American youth and youth of color.

This work has been done in partnership with other community service providers to help facilitate a network of services and supports to disadvantaged individuals and families. AACC has a history of collaboration with area businesses and employers to increase access to employment opportunities for all people. Most recently AACC has taken on an advocacy role to initiate community forums to discuss police accountability, police roles, relationships and standards in communities of color.

History:
The African American Cultural Center (AACC) was founded in 1996 by Lawrence Lombard, a Kent resident, who sought to create the catalyst for South King County African Americans to come together to celebrate their cultural heritage, to organize events around common community interests, and inspire the community youth to excel for excellence in schools within the Kent District. In 1997 launching The African American Heritage Festival was the fulfillment of the first part of the dream. This event brought together approximately 300 people to the Kent Senior Center to enjoy performances, vendors and speakers. Each consecutive year there after, has created a venue of community awareness of culture and heritage.

In 2002 the organization began a strategic planning process to secure a more permanent location for the center to better facilitate the mission towards working collaboratively with Kent and South King County residents for promoting African American heritage and community involvement, creating minority employment opportunities for youth and adults with inadequate skills, and provide mentoring services to schools within the Kent District.

In February 2003, the AACC initiated conversations with the Kent School District Administrators to discuss potential partnerships with the District to help positively influence and heighten the support of academic, social and emotional stability with our Black minority youth. The District allowed the organization an opportunity to pilot our program into 8 elementary schools. Since then the AACC has built positive and effective relationships with each school by responding to the demands and concerns of low academics within the African American community.

Contact people:

Lawrence Lombard, Founder, (phone), (email) Annette Evans, Executive Director, (phone), (email)

Address:

14419 SE 256th Place Kent,, WA 98042 (See a map)

Directions:

Take Highway 167 South, turn right on 84th and Central to downtown Kent.

Miscellaneous Information

Liability
	No
Does your organization welcome court-ordered community service volunteers?
	Yes
Does your organization have volunteer positions for youth 12-18?
	Yes