Howard County Center of African American Culture - Exterior View

Howard County Center of African American Culture

WHERE HISTORY COMES TO LIFE!

EXPLORE & SUPPORT

The Howard County Center of African American Culture was founded by the late Mrs. Wylene Burch.

OUR MISSION:

Engaging community, promoting progress, transforming lives through culture, history and awareness.

Dive Into Howard County's Rich History

Explore Artifacts and Memorabilia That Shaped Our Past

Understand The Contributions Made Over The Generations

Celebrate The Sacrifices and Struggles

Revel In The Achievements and Breakthroughs

Preserve The Legacy ... Expand The Vision

HELP US CONTINUE TO TELL "OUR" STORY

SUPPORT

THE MUSEUM

and

THE RESEARCH LIBRARY

Welcome To The Howard County Center of African American Culture

HCCAAC curates a rich treasure trove historical artifacts, memorabilia and other resources, that tell the incredible story of the African American experience and contributions in Howard County Maryland
(and beyond) … over the generations.

Your Support Can Help Send Our History Into The Future!

Your assistance, financial as well as time, will to help ensure that our stories will continue to be told.

Show Your Support Today. Help Us To Continue To Tell OUR STORY!

JOIN US FOR OUR BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROGRAM

LORREE KAY MONTGOMERY- SLYE: is one of the last breed’s of true singers this country and the world will hear and get to know. She has been compared to some of the greatest singers who have performed in this world. Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Holiday, Phyliss Hyman and Nancy Wilson. Her vocals are skillful with a flare of unmistakable class reminiscent of years gone by with a refreshing sound of today that can calm the savage. She sings it all and represents a higher life calling. She is the real “deal” who ministers music wrapped up in a captivating personage conveying song messages that penetrates the soul creating a personal and enjoyable experience for the listener reaching the true heart.

DENISE DIGGS: Actor, teacher – BSFA, Studio Acting Conservatory, Duke Ellington, RedBridge Studios. Acting has been the passion and devotion of my life for over 40 years. I have performed in leading and featured roles at Arena Stage (DC), Studio Theatre, Center Stage, Everyman Theatre, Olney Theatre, Round House Theatre, The Theatre of the First Amendment and the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, California. I am privileged to teach voice, speech and acting at the Baltimore School for the Arts, The Studio Acting Conservatory, Duke Ellington School of the Arts, and RedBridge Studios. My television credits include Emmy nominated series- Homicide Life on the Streets (recurring role), The Corner (recurring role) and The Wire.

DUANE MOODY: Tenor, Duane A. Moody, Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music (Voice) has expounded on a career of international proportions for almost four decades. From the international tours as Sportin’ Life in The Gershwins’ Porgy & Bess, the off-Broadway engagement with Three Mo’ Tenors, his sacred recording with the group INSPIRATA, to his self-produced recording project, ‘Sur Mon Voyage’, Mr. Moody has always maintained vocal beauty, through artistry, first. From his humble beginnings in SE, Wash, DC, it was always about music.

EVERETT P. WILLIAMS Jr.: Mr. Everett Williams is a freelance piano performer in the Washington area and across the nation as a pianist, organist, workshop clinician and choral conductor. He has composed an opera entitled MARTIN LUTHER KING,JR which he is in the process of having orchestrated and produced. For over 40 years, Everett has been a music educator around the nation and has taught in public school systems in South Carolina, California and retired from The Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland in 2013.

OAKLAND MILLS HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR: The choral program at Oakland Mills High School is well established and has been an active part of the school since it opened in 1973. The consistent mission of our choral community is to create and provide a safe space where all students are welcomed and excited to create a shared understanding of musical excellence. Our School philosophy is “We are OM … We are Strongest Together–Moving Forward Together”.

“We must ensure the riches of the past are paid forward to our children and their future”. ~ Wanda Garcia

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

Our Vision and Goals

Our long-term vision is to transition the center into a stable entity with the goal of continually expanding our collections and our research capabilities. Additionally, we need to aggressively expand the digital footprint and social media online presence of the center to help ensure its longevity.

PLEASE WATCH THIS IMPORTANT INTERVIEW

Dive Into Howard County’s Rich History

Highlights of Our Collections

FURNITURE – CLOTHING & MEMORABILIA

EARLY ADVANCEMENTS IN THE POLICE FORCE

ADVANCEMENTS IN THE MILITARY

EARLY ACHIEVEMENTS IN SPORTS (Jockeys)

EXCELLENT PROGRESS IN FARMING

Overview Our Collections

The Howard County Center of African American Culture curates over 150 years of Howard County and other relevant history in its permanent collection. Dive into Howard County rich history in the areas of farming, military, education, policing, politics, music, sports, media, the arts, industry, and much more.

VIEW OUR ONLINE GALLERY

Activities – Events – Tours – Exhibits – Fundraisers – Online Store

Join Us – Let’s Celebrate Our Rich History … Together!

Howard County Center of African American Culture

Seeking Freedom

A history of the underground railroad in howard county, maryland

Howard Country Center of African American Culture - Book - Seeking Freedom

A historic book chronicling the history of the Underground Railroad in Howard County Maryland.

This book includes chronologies, slave census, and 116 glossy pages of photographs and more.

Published By:
Howard County Center of African American Culture, 2002.
Re-published in 2020

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

Howard County Center of African American Culture

Recipes and Remembrances Keepsake Cookbook

Howard Country Center of African American Culture Recipies and Rememberance Cookbook

Get your copy of our Recipes and Remembrances Keepsake Cookbook.

This unique cookbook is filled to 50+ scrumptious family recipes from our diverse
“Men-In-The-Kitchen” Chefs, Friends and Families.

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

VISIT OUR ONLINE STORE

On Sale: Keepsake Cookbook – Historic Book … and more!

YOUR SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED

Testimonials

Here’s what our visitors and patrons are saying

We had an amazing time! My daughter said today it was the best day of her life! All I heard today from both parents and children was how wonderful it was to learn about all of the amazing contributions African Americans made in our county.! The docent’s message to the children about honoring the contributions that African Americans made in our county was especially poignant and I hope they remember it when they are older.

Debra Ortega

Thank you so much for helping ensure my newly turned 5-year old had a perfect and unforgettable visit both him and his entire class will remember forever. I have had so many compliments and can’t thank you and your personnel enough! I hope to visit you again next year or even sooner!

Philip Lawrence