African American Research Library & Cultural Center of Palm Beach County, Inc.
"Until the Lions have their Historian,
the Tale of the Hunt will continue to Glorify the Hunter." - an African Proverb
OUR HISTORY
AARLCC was organized as a response to several meetings held primarily by retired teachers of the Historic Roosevelt High School. The group came to the ultimate conclusion that an entity should be established in West Palm Beach to preserve the rich heritage of the African-American communities and to house and display valuable assets such as Mrs. Ineria Hudnell and other's collections while providing support and educational enhancement to future generations.
OUR FEATURES & GOALS
1. To function as an educational library/ museum designed to discover, collect, and preserve all materials, especially artifacts and source materials pertaining to the history of African Americans, as well as the rich and colorful African Diaspora communities in Palm Beach County, Florida.
2. To establish, maintain, and protect a facility that conducts programs and activities, sponsor research and promotions, conduct fundraising, receive contributions, dues, and grants, recruit and insure collections, and display historically relevant materials.
3. To ensure the realization of educational goals for area youth and adults by providing opportunities for students and residents to be exposed to research-based information and technology.
"ReClaiming the Past to ReBuild the Future"
The Challenge of Preserving Our Culture . . .
-
While the African American community is no longer visible, the African American Research Library and Cultural Center of Palm Beach County, Inc. is taking steps to ensure the preservation of Palm Beach County's African American Culture.
-
It is crucial that more of African American's past make it into a cultural repository.
-
As the African American community diversifies, it is crucial to find mechanisms and opportunities to maintain our sense of community.
-
Museums, archives, and libraries not only preserve culture, but they legitimize it. Therefore, it is important for African Americans to work with cultural institutions to preserve their families' photography, documents, and objects.
-
As some families lose the connection with their southern roots, it is important that we understand our common heritage and history.
-
The common nature of African American lives has provided substance, guidance, and comfort for generations.
-
Although our communities are now quite diverse, it is our common heritage that continues to hold us together.
African American Research Library & Cultural Center for Palm Beach County, Inc.
Annual Kwanzaa Celebration
“I am visiting out of town and extremely enjoyed the program ”
-Yolanda Bell
KWANZAA 2023
Donate today to support education training and programming.
“We need to know our history: So we know that we are great and our history important.
-Cassandra Carn
KWANZAA 2023
Mrs. Ineria E. Hudnell
Mrs. Ineria E. Hudnell
Mrs. Ineria E. Hudnell was born in Jacksonville, Florida. She graduated from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida in 1943 with a major in English, French, and Art Education. She moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 1944 and joined the faculty at Washington Elementary School. The following year, she joined the faculty at Industrial High School which in 1950 later became Roosevelt High School.
After decades of teaching, she retired in 1978 and began her work as the Keeper of "Palm Beach County's Black History."
Mrs. Hudnell compiled more than 400 items on poster boards of newspaper clippings, photographs, and memorabilia that documented more than 100 years of Black History.
In 1982, she began travelling with the exhibit devoting much of her time to enriching students and residents about Black History which had been invisible to many.
The exhibit has been displayed at various schools, businesses, and many functions and events throughout
Palm Beach County and within the State of Florida.
Preservation of Mrs. Hudnell's Collection
AARLCC of PBC member Earl Hudnell, Mrs. Hudnell's son, was interviewed by WPTV concerning preserving Mrs. Hudnell's Collection.
Preserving & Presenting the History and Culture of the African American Communities in Palm Beach County
Preserving & Presenting the History and Culture of the African American Communities in Palm Beach County
AARLCC of Palm Beach County, Inc. was established to provide a depository for educational, scientific, cultural and literary materials pertaining to African American Communities in Palm Beach County, Inc.
AARLCC OF PALM BEACH COUNTY, INC. is a non for profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt corporation, able to receive
tax deductible bequests, devises, transfer, or gifts under the Internal Revenue Service.