August Wilson Center for African American Culture, Pittsburgh

The August Wilson Center for African American Culture in Pittsburgh celebrates the African American journey and its influence on popular culture. This non-profit, multi-disciplinary arts center is among the country's largest cultural organizations dedicated exclusively to exploring the African American experience. It honors the legacy of its namesake, August Wilson, a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright native to Pittsburgh, by reflecting the prestige, authority, and vision evident in his works.

Dedicated to showcasing the African American contribution to the arts, the center serves as a vibrant venue for festivals, exhibitions, and programs designed to inspire a deep appreciation for Black creativity and innovation. Its mission extends to highlight the unique and extraordinary roles African Americans have played in shaping the cultural landscape, not just within the confines of Pittsburgh but on a global scale. By doing so, it fosters heartfelt human connections and encourages an inclusive understanding of the rich tapestry of American culture.

The center's inception over two decades ago was the result of a visionary group of community leaders in Pittsburgh. They sought to establish a singular facility in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District that would not only celebrate Black culture but also serve as a national showcase for the collective history, art, music, literature, and theater of the African American community. Their ambition was to create a space where people from all walks of life could gather to appreciate the profound contributions of African Americans to the arts, with a particular focus on celebrating the legacy of August Wilson.