Madison, Wis. – October 25, 2023 – After what started as an ambitious vision by a small group of Black Madisonians, The Center for Black Excellence and Culture (The Center) is now on the doorstep of history – and the future – with just $3 million left to raise to break ground debt-free in spring 2024.
This historic milestone comes after a burst of major gifts from across the region as momentum continues to build. In addition to sizeable donations from businesses and individuals, The Center is excited to announce a new $450,000 match campaign running through Dec. 31, jointly sponsored by $200,000 from Exact Sciences and Sheila and Kevin Conroy, and $250,000 from Mary Burke (half of her total gift of $500,000). Every dollar donated between now and the end of the year will be matched dollar for dollar up to $450,000.
As a Black inspired, designed, and led campaign, every aspect of this moment is unprecedented – in scale and breadth of financial support, in speed of reaching this milestone, and in magnitude of impacts and Black excellence that will soon be realized. These successes are a testament to the leadership of hundreds of Black community members, whose early donations inspired sizable gifts and sustained support from every sector, including public, private, and individual donors.
“We are on the cusp of achieving something without precedent in this country: a holistic, cultural home that will fundamentally redefine how Black community members are able to come together, celebrate, dream, and succeed,” said Dr. Alex Gee, CEO and founder of The Center. “The Center won’t just open doors to people, it will open doors to new opportunities to celebrate and amplify Black excellence. In the final fundraising stretch, we will rally the community and sprint through the finish to forever change the trajectory of the region.”
Even before groundbreaking, The Center’s transformative impacts are already taking effect with the launch of initial programming. In July, The Center partnered with the Children’s Theater of Madison to host The Wiz Experience, including three performing arts workshops for Black youth led by Dana Pellebon, who will serve as the director of theatrical programming at The Center. Additionally, The Center will host a Black Artists Expo on Dec. 2 to promote Black creative expression within visual arts. The Center’s director of visual arts, Annik Dupaty, is leading this event.
The three-level, dynamic facility will be a first-of-its-kind cultural and community landmark. Early programming focus areas include Black culture, history, innovation and leadership development, mental wellness, arts, and youth STEAM engagement. Following the groundbreaking, The Center will raise an additional $2-3 million for program development and operational reserves.
In reaching this milestone, The Center is proud to announce gifts from the following businesses and individuals, as well as other anonymous givers:
$500,000
Mary Burke
$100,000 – $249,000
Exact Sciences
Delta Dental of Wisconsin
Kevin & Sheila Conroy
Mary Ellyn and Joe Sensenbrenner
$25,000 – $99,000
U.S. Bank Foundation
Associated Bank Foundation
PRL Keystone Foundation
Chubb
About The Center for Black Excellence and Culture:
The Center for Black Excellence and Culture (The Center) will answer the decades-long absence of cultural space to celebrate and advance Dane County’s Black community. Located on six acres within the heart of a historically Black neighborhood, The Center will be a physical place where Dane County’s Black residents and others throughout the community can gather to plan for and celebrate current and future growth and advancement.
Specifically, The Center will: Celebrate and promote Black excellence; Pay tribute to Black history; Nurture and develop Black business and community leaders; Attract, connect and retain Black talent; and provide the space for conversation, connection and growth. For more information about The Center, visit https://www.theblackcenter.org/. Organizations and individuals can give to The Center at https://www.theblackcenter.org/donate.
