The African American Performing Arts Center
10 Year Anniversary
A Dream That Came True
Story by: Pamelya Herndon, Interim President,
AAPAC Foundation Board
Approximately 30 years ago, African Americans in
New Mexico began discussing the need for a building
that would house the history and culture of African
Americans in New Mexico; thus, the concept of an
African American Performing Arts Center derived where
African American culture would be showcased for the
state, nation and world to behold. But, establishment
of the Performing Arts Center and Exhibit Hall took
the hard work and countless hours of many state and
community individuals.
Construction of the Performing Arts Center was
made possible through legislative funding secured by
Representative Sheryl Williams Stapleton and then
Governor, Bill Richardson. Finally, June 8, 2007,
after many conversations, requests for funding, and
revised architectural renderings, the African American
Performing Arts Center and Exhibit Hall (AAPAC)
was unveiled. Busloads of people came from around
the state to celebrate the opening. Governor Bill
Richardson declared June 9 as African American
Performing Arts Center Day.
The next step was to appoint an Executive Director
and Board of Directors to oversee the programs, growth
and development of the Performing Arts Center. The
first Executive Director of AAPAC was Donald L.
Jordan, a veteran state employee who brought a wealth
of knowledge and skills to the position.
www.oaaa.state.nm.us
The first board was comprised of Pamelya Herndon,
Dr. Andrew Wall, Reverend Landjur Abukosumo, Dr.
Anthony Edwards, and Joby Wallace.
During its 10-year history, numerous artists, speakers
and performers have walked through the doors of AAPAC.
They include members of symphony orchestras, theatrical
performing groups, and extraordinary performers and
personalities such as Neena Freelon, Hazel Rosetta
Smith, and the late Gwen Ifill,.
As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the
Performing Arts Center, the people of New Mexico
have had but a taste of African American Culture. Future
programming promises to provide a full course of African
American culture that can be savored for many years.
AAPAC will host jazz vocalist Renae Marie in concert
Saturday, August 5, 2017. The next ten years promise
to bring more community plays by and about African
Americans, an African American speaker series, more
African American visual artists, plans to expand the
Performing Arts Center to be able to embrace a dinner
theater for community members to enjoy, and more
performing venue spaces.
The current Executive Director of AAPAC is
Annette Caine. The current board members are Pamelya
Herndon, Tracey Whitney, Charles Lowery, Anthony
Edwards, Ernest Jenkins, Tom Guralnik, and Jim Harvey.
AAPAC bears the name of Sherly M. Williams Stapleton,
the legislator who helped raise the initial funds for the
building. AAPAC sits as the only building in the state
of New Mexico named for a living African American.
The Board and staff of AAPAC continues to focus
on enhancing the mission and goals of AAPAC to
preserve, nurture and support the intellectual and cultural
history of African Americans in New Mexico and in the
Southwest. In addition, the Board of Directors is looking
to form a Community Advisory Board comprised of
members who will ensure that the programs at AAPAC
meet the expectations of communities around the state.
Those interested in joining the Community Advisory
Board should contact Annette Caine at (505) 222-0785
and provide a resume, contact information, and a short
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