This fall, the Sonja Haynes Stone Center will celebrate 30 years of service to the community. During this time, the Center has become an epicenter of arts and history at UNC and beyond. From exhibitions to lectures to fellowships, the Stone Center is a hub for intellectual activity and supports the creative energy of the campus as it explores African-American and African Diaspora lives, cultures, and histories.
The Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was established on July 1, 1988. Initially known as the Black Cultural Center, it was renamed for beloved faculty member Dr. Sonja Haynes Stone after her untimely passing in 1991. Upon its inception, the Stone Center focused its attention on raising awareness of and appreciation for African-American culture by the campus community. Today, the Center is an important site for the critical examination of African-American, diaspora and African cultures, providing intellectual and cultural programming that is both timely and informative.
The purpose of this 30th anniversary season is to reflect on the Stone Center’s trailblazing past and look forward to a bright future. Programming highlights include an art exhibition, the annual Diaspora Film Festival, and a fundraising campaign featuring an art auction and events hosted by alumni in cities throughout the east coast.
We will continue to raise awareness of African-American and Diaspora cultures through exhibitions, lectures, and other events. We thank the campus and community for their support, and we look forward to the next 30!