Honoring the Power of Our Stories
August Wilson African American Cultural Center champions artists and programs that reflect universal issues of identity illuminated in the works of the 20th century’s greatest American dramatist and which still resonate today.
Upcoming & Ongoing Events
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Current & Upcoming Exhibitions
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August Wilson: The Writer’s Landscape
The August Wilson African American Cultural Center, one of the largest cultural organizations in the country focused exclusively on the African American experience and the arts of the African diaspora, will create The Writer’s Landscape, the first-ever exhibition dedicated to the life and works of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson.
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Shaheed Rucker: (re)Covering the Iconic
Shaheed Rucker: (re)Covering the Iconic reimagines the visual language of Jet Magazine and Wheaties cereal boxes through bold, contemporary design that celebrate Black cultural icons from Pennsylvania and beyond. Drawing inspiration from Rucker’s experience working at Jet, the exhibition highlights figures such as August Wilson, Patti LaBelle, and D.J. Jazzy Jeff, while honoring the magazine’s legacy as a vital platform for Black storytelling and representation. Through striking reinterpretations of historic figures, Rucker connects past and present, underscoring the enduring impact of Black achievement in the arts, sports, media, and more.
HBCU Fields of Dreams to Pro Football Fame
Discover the stories behind the greatest HBCU football players, coaches, and contributors. The August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC) presents HBCU Fields of Dreams to Pro Football Fame, a special exhibition on view April 16–26, 2026, in conjunction with the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. This exhibition brings together historic artifacts and football memorabilia that highlight the enduring legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as foundational spaces for athletic excellence, cultural pride, and professional achievement.
I Will Belong To Only Me
Titled after a line from her own writing, I Will Belong to Only Me marks the first U.S. solo survey of Peju Alatise (b. 1975 in Lagos, Nigeria). A defining figure in contemporary African art, this exhibition brings together two decades of her work across sculpture, installation, text, and film. Anchored by her celebrated installation Flying Girls (2015–16), I Will Belong to Only Me embodies Alatise’s artistic prowess, conceptual depth, and multidisciplinary command across architecture, painting, sculpture, and storytelling.
Lavett Ballard: a Rose is a Rose is a Rose
Lavett Ballard: a Rose is a Rose is a Rose is a poetic play of mixed media assemblages—varying in shape, scale, and texture—grounded in Ballard’s richly layered narrative style. Through her signature use of reclaimed wooden fences, collage, and historical imagery, this exhibition explores the intersections of womanist theologies, materiality, and representations of Black femininity across time.
Discover AWAACC
Bridging Divides
Like our namesake, we believe in the beauty of connecting with all people. Wilson often said he didn’t write for Black or white audiences, but rather about the black experience in America.
Empowering Expression
We believe that creativity is boundless. From gypsy cab drivers to Blues divas, Wilson’s work tenders no apologies and evokes love sonnets of black struggle and triumph, offering clarion tributes to the ancestors gone before, living in eternal memory.
Envisioning the Future
For over a decade, the non-profit August Wilson African American Cultural Center has embraced Wilson’s magnificent legacy. We believe by celebrating black culture and fostering the exchange of ideas, we can transform how people think about the world.
