MLD African Heritage Cultural Arts Center

A neighborhood hub of arts education and cultural programs, African Heritage Cultural Arts Center provides training in dance, drama, music, voice, media, film and visual arts. The Center develops youth performing arts companies; nurtures emerging artists; offers performances and exhibitions; and promotes and fosters the rich diverse cultural arts perspective of people of African heritage. An impressive faculty and staff have dedicated themselves to their students, producing celebrated alumni including MacArthur Fellows awardee Tarell Alvin McCraney, award-winning playwright and Oscar winner for Moonlight, Willerm Delisfort multi-dimensional pianist/composer, Shareef Clayton (international trumpeter, Duke Ellington Orchestra), and Robert Battle, Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. These are just a few of the high-profile artists who credit their success to the experiences and training they received at the Center.

Located in Liberty City, the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center opened in 1975 with support from the Model City Program initiated by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The Center has served South Florida as an epicenter of African American culture, attracting high profile artists, celebrities, dignitaries, including Sherman Hemsley, Eartha Kitt, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Robert Townsend, Sir Rex Nettleford, Maurice Hines, Mercedes Ellington, Take 6, The Delfonics, Billy Paul, Attalla Shabazz, Whitman Mayo, Allan Harris, Alice Day, Melton Mustafa, Bobby Stringer, Esther rolle, JoMarie Payton and Savion Glover.

Among the celebrated American cultural institutions to visit the Center are Dance Theater of Harlem, National Black Theater Company and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. The facility includes a black box theatre, concert hall, dance studio, art gallery and classrooms.