The Association of African American Cultural Gardens provides
unique educational experiences in a beautiful, inclusive atmosphere where individuals of all ages and backgrounds can interact in a
space relevant to African American history.

 

 

 

 

We want to build on a legacy defined years ago by finishing the African American Cultural Garden...

 

Cleveland is very rich in African American history. But, because symbols of our past have
been destroyed, the telling of our story is incomplete. And this becomes evident as we look
at the current state of the African American Cultural Garden.

 

The African American Cultural Garden is located in the cultural center of Cleveland, Ohio. It is
one of the 36 cultural gardens within the Cleveland Federation of Cultural Gardens, representing
the diversity of the city and the brotherhood that prevails.

 

Over the past 100 years, the ethnic groups making up the city of Cleveland have built monuments showcasing their culture. Some are massive and picturesque yet we are still in the process of completing the African American Cultural Garden. Why?

To best answer that question, let’s consider our slogan, what the
African American Cultural Garden represents.

 

“We learn from our Past, as we live in the Present, to secure our Future.”

 

 

 

In 1969, Cuyahoga Community College Professor Booker Tall started on an eight-year journey to
claim a site for the African American Cultural Garden, within the Cleveland Cultural Garden
Federation grounds.

 

Mr. Tall enlisted the support of Clarence Fitch, Carol Bugg, Bob Render, Glen Brackens and
the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life & History. They waged a campaign in the
media, the community and throughout the city of Cleveland.

 

Their efforts resulted in the dedication, by then Mayor George Voinovich, of a four-acre site
on October 23, 1977. This prominent location sits on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive at the
St. Clair exit.

 

Shortly after, Mr. Tall passed away. The momentum died and the Association African American
Cultural Gardens (AAACG) remained dormant for many years, decades. It was not until 2002 that
Cordell Edge, a longtime Glenville resident, was appointed to engage a committee to cultivate
and renew interest in this endeavor. With research, commitment and education, Edge set the
path to celebrate the development and installation of the current AAACG site.

 

Under new leadership, this journey continues...

 

In 2012, Carl S. Ewing became the president of The Association of African American Cultural
Gardens and secured its current non-profit status. Mr. Ewing worked with Cleveland Mayor
Frank G. Jackson, who established a task force. The task force commissioned architect
W. Daniel Bickerstaff II, of Ubiquitous Design, LTD, to design a structure for “The Garden” and
raise the initial funds for the completion of Phase 1.

The African American Garden will
be developed as the Past,
Present and Future Pavilions.

 

The Association of American American Cultural Gardens is now working to secure

$2.6 million
for the completion of Phases 2 and 3.