The Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center (originally Black House) was created in 1968. Black House focused on supporting the teaching, research, and service missions of the university, while also providing a positive and hospitable social environment for African American and African students, faculty, and staff. In 1972, Black House was relocated to a former fraternity house on campus and was renamed the Black Culture Center. Another name change came in 1997, when the center became known as the African American Cultural Center. Soon thereafter plans were made to construct a new facility for the center.
This dream became a reality in January 2002 when the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center was dedicated in honor of the first male and female African American graduates of IU. In addition to the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center,the building houses the African American Cultural Center Library, the African American Arts Institute and the Office of Diversity Education. The Grand Hall and Bridgwaters Lounge are available for meetings, banquets, and other programs. This facility provides new opportunities for increased programming and student involvement.
Marcellus Neal
In 1895, Marcellus Neal became the first African American to earn a degree from IU. Neal graduated with an A.B. in Math and went on to have a career as a school teacher and school administrator. He served as head of the Science Department at Washington High School in Dallas, Texas for twenty-five years. Tragically, Neal was killed in a hit and run automobile accident. He was buried in Mt. Greenwood Cemetery in Chicago.
Frances Marshall
In 1919, Frances Elizabeth Marshall earned an A.B. degree in English at Indiana University. Frances Marshall was an exceptional woman who went on to have a long and respected career as an educator and educational administrator (see: "A Phenomenal Woman," by Jennifer Bailey Woodard). Marshall married the son of Preston Eagleson, Wilson Vashon Eagleson who graduated from IU in 1920, and became a proud member of one of Bloomington's most prominent African American families. Throughout the 1920s, and the rest of the century, other African American women such as Daisy Arrimentia Payne (1923; history) and Arlee F. Brand (1945; law) would boldly follow in Frances Marshall Eagleson's footsteps and earn undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees from IU. The Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center is named in honor of Marcellus Neal and Frances Elizabeth Marshall.
back to the topThe Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center (NMBCC) is committed to academic excellence through quality educational, cultural, and social programs that promote public awareness about the Black experience while celebrating the academic and leadership achievements of our students.
We are a resource facility that offers educational, cultural and social programs for Black and all other Indiana University students. The Center is also committed to increasing public awareness about the Black experience in the United States at Indiana University and across the community through its outreach programs and activities. The Center also serves as a "comfort zone" for Indiana University students. Most of the programs are free to the public.
NMBCC collaborates with the HILLEL Center, the Asian Culture Center, the International Center, the Latino Cultural Center (La Casa), and the Office of Diversity Education to put on various events. The Bloomington campus is a diverse student forum which focuses on discussing issues facing diversity efforts at Indiana University and the surrounding community. It also explores collaboration efforts and strategies for building bridges between diverse groups on our campus and in our community.
For questions or more information, please contact the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center at (812) 855-9271, e-mail: nmbccatindiana.edu. Our address is 275 N. Jordan Avenue, Suite A226, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405-1363. Stop by and visit with the friendly staff and students at NMBCC.
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