Black Academy of Arts and Letters (Dallas, Tex.)

The Black Academy of Arts and Letters was established to “define, preserve, promote, cultivate, foster and develop the arts and letters of black people,” as stated by Dr. C. Eric Lincoln in his founding address. Notable contributions by blacks to black America were to be recognized by the Academy members who, themselves, represented some of the finest achievements in arts and letters.

The Black Academy was founded March 29, 1969 in Boston, and was incorporated on June 12 in the state of New York as a non-profit, tax-exempt organization. The Twentieth Century Fund financed initial operating expenses, providing $50,000 in each of the first three years. With this money Academy officials hired a staff and in March 1970 opened a temporary headquarters at 475 Riverside Drive.

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