The headquarters for the Association for Black Culture Centers (ABCC) is transitioning from Knox College, where it has been housed for more than 20 years, to Northern Illinois University (NIU). The transition will officially begin on July 1, 2015. Dr. Fred L. Hord, professor and chair of Africana Studies and founder of the ABCC, has taken a leave of absence from Knox to accept a position at NIU in the Department of Counseling Adult and Higher Education and the university's provost office. This position will support the transition of the ABCC headquarters to its new home.

ABCC Executive Assistant Terry Duffy will also continue her role with the association at NIU, as will Donald Forti '06, ABCC webmaster, who will also join the university's marketing and communications division. All appointments will officially begin on July 1, 2015.

"Since Knox College President John McCall authorized the first national conference of the Association for Black Culture Centers here in 1989, I have always smiled inwardly when people around the country recognized this important organization that was started and headquartered here. Many have been astounded that a small, liberal arts college would make such a large commitment," said Professor Hord. "Given the close historical relationship ABCC had with the Center for Black Culture at Northern Illinois University, we recently consolidated an agreement to move the ABCC headquarters there, based on the idea that Knox College would retain a formal central role by focusing its work on all liberal arts colleges."

"We congratulate Professor Hord, Ms. Duffy, and Mr. Forti as they work with NIU on the ABCC's transition to the university level, aligning it with the university's distinct centers and graduate programs. Knox has enjoyed serving as the ABCC headquarters for the last 24 years, and we look forward to supporting and working with the association in its future endeavors," said Laura Behling, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College.

During his tenure at Knox College, Professor Hord has been integral to the growth of the Africana studies program. When he arrived at Knox College in 1988, there were only three courses related to Black Studies; now known as Africana Studies, the department features about 30 courses at least every other year. Over the last 25 years, he has led Africana Studies in its transformation into a thriving program with a wide range of courses. In 1988, Hord founded the Association for Black Culture Centers, which celebrates, promotes, and critically examines the culture of people of African descent. Knox has served as the national headquarters of the organization, which includes more than 700 African American, Latino, Native American, and Asian American centers as members or affiliates at colleges and universities in all 50 states and soon in the Caribbean and West Africa.

"Professor Hord and all associated with the ABCC will remain vital members of the Knox Community through their close connections to students, faculty, staff, and alumni and their contributions to the College's educational program and experience. We look forward to welcoming them back to campus in the future," said Dean Behling.