History

The LSU Clarence L. Barney Jr. African American Cultural Center, also known as the AACC, was dedicated and opened on January 17, 1993. A concept that was over 50 years in the making, the AACC has now been serving the students, faculty, and staff of LSU and the Baton Rouge community for over 20 years. Originally a space of 1,200 sq. ft., the AACC continues to serve as the cultural, social, and academic “hub” of black student life here at LSU. We currently boast six signature programs: Umoja, the Multicultural Student Leadership Conference (MSLC), the Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration, the Black History Month Celebration, Robing Ceremony, and the annual Juneteenth Celebration, all of which have continued to grow and expand over the years and have allowed students to have the opportunity to develop into some of the university’s strongest leaders by helping to plan and conceptualize these, and numerous other, events.

With the opening of the new Center in May of 2013, we have been able to provide more services for the campus and community. The more than 5,600 square foot space has six offices, which includes our new Multifaith/ Prayer meditation room, a courtyard, a large multipurpose rooms, break room, library, three gender neutral restrooms and a changing room. As the only free standing Clarence L. Barney Jr. African American Cultural Center in the state of Louisiana, we are proud to be a space that can now host classes, conferences and meetings. We continue to be able to rent out audio and visual equipment and provide the campus and community access to our library that houses books, videos and cultural artifacts. The LSU Clarence L. Barney Jr. African American Cultural Center remains one of the most precious jewels of the university, and the opening of this newly renovated facility almost 4 years ago ensures a prosperous future.