The Erie County Executive's decision to shut out dozens of cultural organizations from his budget has raised a host of concerns. Among them, some critics question why there weren't any African American groups chosen to receive funding. That's the focus In the second part of the WBFO series, Culture in the Balance. Thrusday and Friday WBFO takes a look at how these groups - and the African American neighborhoods they serve - are especially vulnerable. That includes two of the largest groups.
You can stand outside and hear the drum class echoing deep within the walls of the plain, white cinder-block building on Masten Avenue. It's almost like the heartbeat of an institution that's kept on pumping for 53 years in this ailing, East Side neighborhood.
The African American Cultural Center provides dance and drum classes for children, theatre, festivals and events for people of color, and a host of after school programs that keep kids off the streets.
"What is going to happen to our children...it's going to be a real sad situation if something isn't done," said Bain.
Agnes Bain has watched a couple generations of those children grow up at the Cultural Center. The Executive Director started here herself when she was just a teenager in 1976.
Bain leans forward with her body propped against her arms on a desk piled high with papers, grant proposals and a large calculator. She admits that years of roller coaster funding cuts have taken a toll on her. But she worries most about the Center. "If the current [public funding] trend continues, ther won't be an African American Cultural Center," said Bain.
When the county pulled out, the cultural center lost $132,000 for it and all of its umbrella programs - roughly a quarter of its budget. Bain said they especially count on that money to sustain the after school and cultural programs that teach kids to become good citizens.
Right now, these classes are free. Bain said parents in this neighborhood would have a tough time coming up with money for after school care. Bain says it is only fair that the county should assist them by helping to support an alternative.
"As we said to the county exec, there are African Americans who pay taxes," said Bain. The County Executive declined a request to comment on tape for this story. But his spokesman pointed out that the county did provide $300,000 of funding last year for an expansion project at the Colored Musicians Club. But some county lawmakers said that one-shot funding decision was politically motivated. Still others have stronger words for why African American cultural groups are getting no operational funding. "I would say it was racist, only because that's what he's showing me," said Ghirmatzion. I'm going to call it like I see it. I think it's just absolutely racist."
