BUFFALO, N.Y. — Starting a new job can have its challenges, but what about starting a new role during a pandemic? That's what happened to the executive director of the African American Cultural Center in Buffalo. 

What You Need To Know

  • African American Cultural Center's new executive director started in July 2020

  • The center has found ways to still offer programs and activities during the pandemic

  • Black History Month will be celebrated virtually this year

Despite the pandemic, the African American Cultural Center has as much energy as it's ever had before.

"It's been a challenge, but it's really been fun," said Tina Washington-Abubeker, the center's new executive director.

The center welcomed Washington-Abubeker last summer after longtime director Agnes Bain passed away in early 2020. Washington-Abubeker had to get adjusted quickly to make sure some of their major events like the Pine Grill Jazz Reunion went on despite COVID-19 restrictions.

"We had to do a virtual Pine Grill Jazz Reunion. There was no precedent for that. So we had no model, we had nothing to rely on, like as far as being able to look at how someone else did it," she said.

Like everything else in a COVID-19 world, the center had to get creative to offer activities such as teaching dance online and offering trips to the theatre virtually.

"It made it accessible, we had to think in terms of how they might be viewing it and make it so that it would be user-friendly whether they were using a tablet or desktop computer," Washington-Abubeker said.

Black History Month this year will also be a bit different. Kakilambe, the center's dance and drum company, will livestream performances across the area this month. Each week of February, the Paul Robeson Theatre will host various theatrical productions and performances for people of all ages to enjoy from the comfort of their homes.

"We also have a grand finale which is scheduled the last week of Black History Month and that will include all different kinds of dance and song and poetry, theater so it's going to be very enlightening," said Washington-Abubeker.

While many have felt detached from their family and friends in the past 12 months, Washington-Abubeker revels in the fact that the work they do at the center can connect people.

"The African American Cultural Center has been an anchor in our community, it's been a beacon and for some a beacon of light," she said. "This opportunity for this job has been really great in terms of being able to fulfill some of my dreams as far as being able to serve the community."