Since the establishment of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Afro-American Cultural and Service Center in 1974, women have been at the core of its foundation. As the organization evolved to the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, the foundation of strength, vision and dedication — despite challenges and tribulations demonstrated by the Gantt’s founding mothers Drs. Bertha Maxwell-Roddey and Mary Harper — still stands decades later.

As we approach the milestone celebration of 45 years as an institution and 10 years in our award-winning facility this year, we take another look at the imprint of women on our society and pay homage to the women who helped make the Gantt Center a reality. Our two founding mothers envisioned and then established a place that would stem the erasure of Charlotte’s African-American heritage. The Gantt stands proudly today as a prominent public space that celebrates African-American art, history and culture, as well as the multi-dimensional role of African-American women in our country.