 Founded in a period of black student activism in the late 1960s, the Black Cultural Center is the most senior of the campus' cultural centers. The first on campus to be designed by an African-American architectural firm, this 18,000 square foot facility built in 1999 emulates the layout of a traditional African village with a grand circle at the building center. The spirit and richness of the African-American culture can be seen in the artwork, artifacts and even the receptionist desk on the first floor. It's actually shaped in the design of a hall of a ship and the ship has significant historical context for African-Americans in that many enslaved Africans were transported from West Africa to the United States in the hall of a ship. One of our hallmark programs is what I call the heartbeat of the Black Cultural Center, which is our performing arts ensembles. The ensemble groups rehearse and perform in the Antonio and Betty Zamora Studio on the first floor. Also on the first floor are a former lounge and an exhibit hall, which often features student-created work. On the second floor, you'll find an expansive library with over 7,000 books, a large study space and a university-supported computer lab. For over 50 years, the Black Cultural Center has provided a sense of belonging. We promote academic excellence, cultural pride and a feeling of home for many students. The Center has strengthened the understanding of the African-American heritage for the entire campus. We invite all of the Purdue community to visit the BCC.