University of Arizona Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Space celebrates African American Cultural Resource Center's 35 years of student advocacy and legacy

Nov. 4, 2025

University of Arizona Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Space Celebrates African American Cultural Resource Center's 35 Years of Student Advocacy and Legacy

What: A free, public event will celebrate the African American Cultural Resource Center's 35th anniversary during Homecoming.
When: Friday, Nov. 7, 5-7 p.m.
Where: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Space, 1322 E. First St.

TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Arizona Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Space will celebrate the African American Cultural Resource Center's 35th anniversary and homecoming celebration.

The MLK Dream Space provides academic resources, community support and a dedicated safe, cultural space for African American students. Its mission is rooted in the principles of student advocacy, leadership development, and fostering a supportive, inclusive environment.

This anniversary celebration, one of many events as part of University of Arizona Homecoming, will honor the enduring vision and student activism that led to the center's establishment and its continued vital role on campus.

The program will feature a distinguished group of guests who have shaped the center's history and impact. They will include:

Jesse J. Hargrove, founding director and former assistant dean for African American Student Affairs, who will deliver the keynote speech;
U of A Vice Provost Jenna Hatcher and original Program Coordinator Robin Lemon-Soape;
Past and current students and faculty, including student protest leaders from 1989, who were instrumental in the center's founding;
And the Rev. Elwood McDowell of Trinity Missionary Baptist Church will provide the opening and closing prayers.

The center's roots trace back to April 27, 1989, following several days of intense student protests. Student demands for improved conditions for African American students were met by President Henry Koffler and the administration, including provisions for:

A dedicated building as "a home away from home."
An assistant dean and program director for African American students.
Dedicated staff positions in admissions, financial aid, and public relations.

Six months after the protest, the personnel search committee recommended Jesse J. Hargrove as the new assistant dean. After a welcoming reception on Oct. 16, 1989, a dedicated three-month period saw the center furnished, partitioned, and prepared for its official opening.

The center officially opened its doors to the public with the symbolic "Sounding of the Drum" ceremony on Feb. 1, 1990, establishing a "home away from home" in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. building.

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Media Contact:
Adiba Nelson
MLK Dream Space Coordinator
520-621-1708
adibanelson@arizona.edu

Established in 1885, the University of Arizona is the state's flagship, land-grant institution. The U of A ranks among America's top institutions, focusing on student access and success while driving a $1 billion research enterprise and engaging communities throughout the state, nation and world. As a leading Research 1 institution and member of the Association of American Universities, the U of A advances the frontiers of interdisciplinary scholarship and entrepreneurial partnerships. With two accredited medical schools, designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education, recognition as a premier university for service members, distinguished programs in management information systems, planetary sciences, dance, photography, and public and applied humanities, the U of A offers the world to its students while uplifting Arizona.