The Mary Lou Williams Center: A Place to Become Enriched in Culture

Erin Kelly

The Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture was built to raise awareness for “Black People, Black History, and Black Culture.” The center was established in 1983 as a “safe, welcoming, and supportive space that reflects the core values, culture, mission, and perspectives of Duke’s Black Community.” Mary Lou Williams taught at Duke University as an Artist-in-Residence from 1977 until her death. This center was built in honor of her and her achievements as a woman, and artist, a scholar, and a leader. At this center there are programs designed to portray the significance of Black experiences. These programs all correspond to a major theme- jazz.

There are four different types of programs offered: Signature, Jazz, Annual, and Thematic. Signature programs are “annual opportunities to showcase our commitment to scholarly, activist, and artistic presentations centered around Jazz and Social Justice.” One event is called Speaking of Hope. This is an inaugural dialogue where students can become open-minded and are able to share experiences of work of hope and philanthropy. Speaking of Hope was created on the 25th anniversary of the Mary Lou Williams Center. Another event, titled Measure of Grace, is an annual jazz concert where renowned musicians Gerri Allen and Patricia Barber perform their version of Williams’ Zodiac Suite. This concert remembers Williams, and celebrates her legacy as a jazz pioneer. The Jazz programs offered are enjoyable and great experiences. The agenda ranges from annual concerts, to information groups and discussions, to jam sessions every Wednesday evening. These jam sessions are not to be missed. Local performers, as well as Duke students play live performances of great jazz pieces.

The thematic section contains four events; two are called Brother to Brother and Sister to Sister. Brother to Brother is for Black males to talk about the future beyond Duke. Also, “The sessions offer various topics related to Black men's health, academics and relationships, creating an opportunity for the men to build greater connections and share notable commonalities.” Sister to Sister is very similar, but it is for Black women who are undergraduates. Women in this program first attend a retreat, and then it is a “space for the women to come together and support each other’s growth, challenges, and healing through these regularly scheduled opportunities.”

These are just a few of the many programs The Mary Lou Williams Center offers. All allow students and faculty alike to become enriched in the Black culture as well as gaining knowledge of the main theme- jazz. All of these in some way remember the legacy of Mary Lou Williams, who was such an important figure in history, as well as at Duke University. Her achievements and accomplishments will never be forgotten.

http://www.studentaffairs.duke.edu/mlw