UNC’s Marcus Garvey Cultural Center Advocates for Students

Autumn Houston and her roommate, whose name remains confidential, used to live in Wiebking Hall where they experienced racism.  

“People were taking down our door decks, people were banging on our doors and there were constant noise complaints,” Houston said.  

Houston remembers walking into her room and less than five minutes later, their RA would knock on their door to tell them they were being too loud. Houston and her roommate emailed the housing office to explain the situation. Eventually, they were moved to the third floor.  

“Being on the third floor as well, it was just not any better,” Houston said. “People were still doing the same things but differently.” 

Houston said there was a total of four Black people who lived on the third floor who were experiencing the same thing. 

“That’s when we came here to the Garvey and talked to janine about the situation. She just tried to advocate for us as much as she could,” Houston said.  

janine weaver-douglas* is the director of the Marcus Garvey Cultural Center.  

“She just helps with literally everything,” Houston said. “She’s very knowledgeable about all the resources on campus. And if she’s not knowledgeable about it, she’ll go out and do her research.” 

The Marcus Garvey Cultural Center was established in 1983 at the University of Northern Colorado. It was one of the first Black cultural centers established on a university campus in the state of Colorado.  The purpose of the center is to create a space where students feel supported and to serve the needs of students who identify as Black and/or African American.  

“The center means comfortability and safety as a Black student and home away from home,” said Tonjala Galery, a senior at UNC.  

The center offers emotional support to students, but it also provides various resources. Everything offered at the center is free. They have a pantry and a fully functional kitchen that students can use. They offer free showers, sanitary products and school supplies.  

“We try to make sure we are catering to as many students as we can, specifically Black students,” Houston said. “I feel like there isn’t another space in this campus that caters specifically to Black students.” 

The center also provides students free access to a book and hair library. Most students struggle to find products for their hair. Houston said she often goes to the Sally Beauty store, but most of the products she wants are hidden in a corner or out of stock.  

“There is not a hair store specifically catering to Black people in the town of Greeley… we have a library that caters to Black students, for kinky and coily hair,” Houston said. 

A truly inspiring event hosted by the center is called Black Admitted Student Experience (BASE). This event takes place towards the end of the academic year. The center sends out emails to students who have already committed to UNC and invites them to spend a weekend at the University. This past year about 12 students attended the event. At the event, students were given a tour of the entire university.  

Houston loved this event because students learned and had fun. She said students were able to have an experience with the Marcus Garvey Cultural Center and its staff. 

“It’s hard whenever you come to a campus that is not catered for you or to you…we want students to know they have a resource here,” Houston said. 

Some of the students who have attended BASE constantly visit the center. Houston said that she’s seen students attend the center’s events or express some sort of interest in becoming part of their affiliated organizations.  

“I feel like this is one of our most important events,” Houston said. 

Another event hosted by the center is Black Cultural Week. This extended event is in February which is Black History Month. Throughout the week, students learn about different aspects of Black culture and try to spread information about it.  

“I just love it because as a Black student, you don’t get to see your culture here on campus. It makes me feel appreciated as a person,” Galery said.  

The center is a safe place where students can be themselves and everyone is welcome to visit.  

“Students can be validated here. They can feel safe, they can have fun and they can be themselves. That’s what’s important because that’s what makes your experience here on this campus,” Houston said. 

*janine weaver-douglas has requested that her name be recognized through the use of lowercase letters, in the spirit of bell hooks, an American scholar and activist who assumed her pseudonym to honor the legacy of women. She chose to spell her name in lowercase letters to focus attention on her message rather than herself.