Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute

The Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI) is a nonprofit organization based in East Harlem in New York City that serves as an Afro-Caribbean center of culture and community for members of the African diaspora.^[1]

History

The Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI) was founded in 1976 by Dr. Marta Moreno Vega.^[2] She was the director of CCCADI from 1976 to 2018.

In January 2018, Vega became an advisor to the Board of Directors, with Margarita Rosa taking on the role of interim director of CCCADI while a search for a new executive director is taking place.^[3]

Facilities

OHNY Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute on 125th Street in New York City

CCCADI is currently located in a decommissioned historic landmark fire house on 125th Street near Park Avenue in East Harlem, New York City,^[4][5] after the City decided to decommission five firehouses and turn them into cultural centers.^[6] The building was sold to CCCADI for $1.^[7] The cost of the renovation was $9.3 million, and the project took six years to complete.^[1] The center opened its new premises in October 2016.^{[2][8][9][10]} The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Fire Hook and Ladder Company No. 14.

Previously, the Center was in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan on West 58th Street.^[11]

Exhibitions

In addition to art exhibitions, the center also schedules regular lectures and concerts related to the Caribbean and African cultures.

Exhibits include the following:

• 2013: Saving our Soul: From the Big Easy to the Big Apple^[12]
• 2016: Home, Memory, and Future^[10]
• 2018: Defend Puerto Rico^[13]

Publications

• Caribbean Cultural Center (New York, N.Y.). Under One Sun: News and Events of the Caribbean Cultural Center. New York, NY: The Center. OCLC 14369115.
• Beauchamp-Byrd, Mora J.; Sirmans, M. Franklin, eds. (1997). The Caribbean Cultural Centre Presents: Transforming the Crown : African, Asian and Caribbean Artists in Britain, 1966-1996. New York: Franklin H. Williams Caribbean Cultural Centre: African Diaspora Institute. ISBN 978-0-96-540820-2.