African American Cultural Center 
Community Visioning Process

AACCLB Community Advisory Committee Mission Statement: “Our mission is to celebrate, cultivate, and advance the enrichment of the heritage and culture of the Black/African American community in Long Beach and beyond.” (Adopted June 25, 2019)

AACCLB Community Engagement Final Report
AACCLB Preliminary Institutional Business Plan
Memorandum to the Mayor and City Council

Background

On February 20, 2018, the City Council approved an item requesting the City Manager to work with community stakeholders to identify potential City-owned sites in Long Beach for an African American Cultural Center. After sites were identified, City staff recommended that further engagement of stakeholders and subject matter experts be conducted, contingent on the identification of a funding source. On September 4, 2018, while adopting the 2019 Budget, the City Council allocated funds to support planning and outreach efforts for the African American Cultural Center.

From January to November 2019, City staff worked with the AACCLB Community Advisory Committee, Lord Cultural Resources, Environ Architecture, Inc., Wiggins Hunter Consulting, and residents through monthly committee meetings, subcommittee meetings, key stakeholder interviews, surveys, community roundtables and events, informational workshops, and site tours, to complete the community visioning process.

Community Advisory Committee Meetings

Committee Members and Responsibilities
Committee Bylaws

Community Visioning Kickoff
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Expo Arts Center (4321 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807)

Meeting #1 
Tuesday, February 26, 2019 - 5:30pm 
Expo Arts Center (4321 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807)
Meeting Notes
Planning Overview and Case Studies / Community Outreach Strategy

Meeting #2
Tuesday, March 26, 2019 - 5:30pm 
Expo Arts Center (4321 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807)
Meeting Notes
Cultural Asset Inventory
Community Engagement Update

Meeting #3
Tuesday, April 30, 2019 - 5:30pm
Expo Arts Center (4321 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807)
Meeting Notes
Community Engagement Plan
Fund Development Subcommittee Update

Meeting #4 
Tuesday, May 28, 2019 - 5:30pm
Expo Arts Center (4321 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807)
Meeting Notes
Community Engagement Presentation
Community Engagement Report Executive Summary
Queens Historical Society Presentation
Fund Development Subcommittee Update

Meeting #5 (Vision Confirmation Workshop) 
Tuesday, June 25, 2019 - 4:00pm - 8:00pm
Expo Arts Center (4321 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807)
Meeting Notes
Vision Confirmation Workshop Presentation

Meeting #6 
Tuesday, July 30, 2019 - 5:30pm
Expo Arts Center (4321 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807)
Meeting Notes
Preliminary Business Plan
Asset Inventory Presentation
City Owned Properties Presentation

Meeting #7
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 - 4:00pm - 6:30pm
MOLAA (628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802)
Meeting Notes

Meeting #8
Tuesday, September 24, 2019 - 5:30pm
Long Beach Museum of Art (2300 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90803)
Meeting Notes

Meeting #9
Tuesday, October 29, 2019 - 5:30pm
Aquarium of the Pacific (100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802)
Meeting Notes

Meeting #10
Tuesday, November 26, 2019 - 6:00pm
Expo Arts Center (4321 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807)

Community Roundtable Meetings 

For more information or questions contact i-team@longbeach.gov or (562) 570-7915.