Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center

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Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center We provide programs and services promoting the individual, cultural, and academic growth of Illinois' Black students and the campus overall.

In 1969 the Afro-American Cultural Program was created with the two-fold purpose of assisting the university in providing a safe and welcoming environment for African American students and a resource to the campus at-large regarding African American contributions and issues. The focus of the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center (BNAACC) is to:

- Help the campus create a culturally respectful campus environment.
- Provide leadership and professional opportunities for students.
- Promote African American culture through the performing arts. Now a full-fledged cultural center, the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center remains a vital part of the institution and serves as a resource not only for students of African descent, but all Illinois students. Please stop in to see us often at BNAACC, and use this page and website as a resource.

09/30/2026

What no one tells you about graduate school ✨

This week at Food for the Soul, PhD student, Ms. Alexia Hammonds pulled back the curtain on the hidden curriculum: the unwritten rules, expectations, and know how that shape the grad school journey but rarely get said out loud.

Missed the session? We got you. In the video, Ms. Alexia shares a few tips to help you start navigating applying and journeying through grad school with more clarity and confidence. 🎥🎯💯

Thank you, Ms. Alexia, for pouring into our students, and thank you to everyone who pulled up, grabbed a plate, and joined the conversation. đź–¤

Food for the Soul is our weekly lunch series and the door is always open. See you next Wednesday!

đź“Ť Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center
1212 W. Nevada St., Urbana

09/30/2026

Don’t miss out on
Voter’s Registration Pt. 2
12pm - 1pm at BNAACC for
Food For the Soul Today!!

BNAACC invites you all to walk and cheer with us for the Homecoming Parade this Friday🧡💙! Join us by scanning our QR cod...
09/28/2026

BNAACC invites you all to walk and cheer with us for the Homecoming Parade this Friday🧡💙! Join us by scanning our QR code to register by Wednesday & wearing some BNAACC or I-L-L swag as we celebrate

🧡Join the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice at BNAACC to learn what you can...
09/26/2026

🧡Join the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice at BNAACC to learn what you can do with a degree in social work and how to get there.

💙They will cover the many career paths social work opens up, scholarship opportunities🤑 (95% of admitted students receive one!), and tips for submitting a strong application.
🤍Stop by, ask questions, and meet their team. Papa Del’s pizza 🍕 and light refreshments will be served!
đź”—Link in bio to register!

What no one tells you about graduate school…👀There’s more to graduate school than applications, GPAs, and resumes. Join ...
09/24/2026

What no one tells you about graduate school…👀

There’s more to graduate school than applications, GPAs, and resumes. Join us for Food For The Soul as Alexia P. Hammonds shares an honest conversation about The Hidden Curriculum of Academia, the unwritten rules, expectations, and experiences you may not learn in a classroom.

Date: đź“… Sept. 30
Time: ⏰ 12–1 PM
Location: 📍Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center

Come with questions. Leave with insight. 📚✨

Today at Food for the Soul, Sankofa, the Black student outreach team at the Illinois Counseling Center , led a real conv...
09/23/2026

Today at Food for the Soul, Sankofa, the Black student outreach team at the Illinois Counseling Center , led a real conversation on su***de awareness and supporting each other in community.

🖤 Asking “how are you, for real?” can open a door
đź–¤ Listening matters more than perfect words
đź–¤ Reaching out is strength, not weakness

đź’¬ Tag someone who checks in on you!

Struggling? You’re not alone. Connect with Sankofa and the Counseling Center!!

See you next week at Food for the Soul. 🍽️

Join us for Food for the Soul this Wednesday to learn how to recognize when you or a friend may be struggling, respond w...
09/22/2026

Join us for Food for the Soul this Wednesday to learn how to recognize when you or a friend may be struggling, respond with care, and have open conversations about mental health without the stigma.

Presented by: The Counseling Center

🗓️: Wednesday Sept. 23rd
⏰: 12pm - 1pm
đź“Ť: Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center

09/22/2026

📢 We heard it’s a BLOC Takeover Tomorrow!

📍 Voter’s Registration TAKEOVER
🗓️ Wednesday, September 23rd
⏰ 12–1PM
đź“Ś BNAACC

Come get registered, stay informed, and let your voice count. See you there! đź’«

GetOutTheVote UIUC RegisterToVote StudentAffairs

Join us for Food for the Soul this Wednesday to learn how to recognize when you or a friend may be struggling, respond w...
09/18/2026

Join us for Food for the Soul this Wednesday to learn how to recognize when you or a friend may be struggling, respond with care, and have open conversations about mental health without the stigma.

Presented by : The Counseling Center

🗓️ : Wednesday, Sept. 23
⏰ : 12pm - 1pm
đź“Ť : Bruce D. African American Cultural Center

09/17/2026

Food for the Soul: Champaign CountyAfrican American Heritage Trail of ✊🏾

What a powerful gathering! We were honored to host Robert White for this edition of Food for the Soul, where he took us on a journey through the Champaign County African American Heritage Trail, uncovering the stories, places, and people that have shaped Black history right here in our community.

From hidden histories to living legacies, this conversation reminded us that the ground we walk on every day carries the footprints of those who came before us. Thank you, Mr. White, for sharing your knowledge and passion for preserving our local Black history.

Address

1212 W. Nevada Street
Urbana, IL
61801

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 12pm

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