Ground was broken for the 14,700-square-foot Black Cultural Center Building on March 27, 2001, which was occupied in June 2002 and dedicated on September 5, 2002. The architectural firm for the building was Adams Herz Craft Walker of Oak Ridge. Distinctive features of the building include its shape, which echoes the shape of the continent of Africa; the 80-foot brick frieze, which depicts widely recognized historical figures and chronicles the journey of African Americans; and the inlaid tile floor in the foyer, which depicts the continent of Africa and includes symbols of its countries.
As built, the center housed a library-reading room, computer laboratory, student lounge, multipurpose rooms, student organization suite, conference room, tutorial suites, and administrative offices. The ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony began with a dance procession led by the African Culture University Drum and Dance Ensemble. Assistant Vice Provost for Minority Affairs Jane Redmond, Provost Loren Crabtree, and President of the Faculty Senate Michael Combs spoke. The Faculty Senate presented a plaque engraved with the resolution of commitment to the center.