At the Doorstep of Culture: Black Spaces as Sanctuaries

The Black Student Union, in collaboration with the Eastern Star Gallery, is proud to present At the Doorstep of Culture: Black Spaces as Sanctuaries, an immersive installation honoring the lives and values of Black folks during the mid-20th century and beyond. This exhibit reimagines a Black mid-century family home, a space both ordinary and extraordinary, where resilience, creativity, and love flourished amidst a backdrop of societal challenges.

Running from February 6th to February 27th, this poignant exhibit explores the multiplicity and oneness of the Black experience, offering a deeply personal yet collective narrative of the African diaspora. While the experiences of Black Americans between the 1950s and 1970s were varied, they were united by a shared spirit of resistance, hope, and community, embodied in these intimate sanctuaries of culture. A standout feature of the exhibit is the personal touch brought by Archer’s Black Student Union. Students have contributed artifacts from their own families–objects rich with history and meaning. These items weave together individual stories that collectively speak to the strength and vibrancy of Black culture, showcasing the intergenerational bonds that continue to shape identity and heritage.

The exhibit has been guided by the vision of BSU advisors Dani LeNoir and Sala Bandele-Jackson alongside Eastern Star Gallery advisors Marya Alford and Hannah Kremin. Larry Earl, parent of Archer student Milan Earl ‘27 and the founding lead historian for Destination Crenshaw has lent his expertise in archiving and historical storytelling and has been instrumental in helping students focus their vision, ensuring the exhibit honors the complexities and richness of Black history.

Lauren Halsey (b. 1987, Los Angeles), cousin of Archer student Maya Bell ‘27, will be contributing an original work to the exhibit. Halsey reimagines art, architecture, and community through dynamic, site-specific projects, particularly in South Central Los Angeles, where her family has lived for generations. Her work, inspired by Afrofuturism and local aesthetics, addresses critical issues like gentrification and disenfranchisement while celebrating Black culture and community resilience. Additionally, Maurice Harris, artist best known ast the visionary behind Bloom & Plume, a bespoke floral design studio located in Echo Park, uncle of Archer student Elyse Harris ‘29, will be contributing a custom flower arrangement that further transforms the space into a home like many of our parents, grandparents and great grandparents grew up in.

We invite you to join us for the opening on Thursday, February 6th, at 12:05 pm and a closing event on Wednesday, February 26th from 6:30-7:30pm in the Eastern Star Gallery. Light refreshments and appetizers will be served as we celebrate this meaningful exploration of Black spaces and stories. Together, let us honor this unique era of Black history and reflect on the enduring legacy of these sanctuaries of culture.