About Us

History. Culture. Creativity.

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Celebrate creativity and joy of the human spirit presented at the Carver.

The mission of the Carver Community Cultural Center is to celebrate the diverse cultures of our world, nation and community, with emphasis on its African and African-American heritage, by providing premier artistic presentations, community outreach activities and educational programs.

History & Mission

For over 75 years, The Carver Community Cultural Center (“The Carver”) has served as the San Antonio Eastside’s foremost gathering place of cultural exchange and performance arts. It was originally erected in 1918, as a community center for African-Americans. By the 1930s, the building was repurposed as the Colored Library and renamed the Carver Library and Auditorium, in honor of Dr. George Washington Carver. From the 1940s through the Civil Rights Era, prominent African-American entertainers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Louis Armstrong played at the Carver. However due to desegregation, the Carver fell into neglect by the early 1970s.

Carver Community Cultural Center has over 100 years of history of serving San Antonio.

In 1973, the City moved to have the Carver demolished, but community members galvanized in an act of civil disobedience, effectively using their bodies as human shields to protect the building from bulldozers. Under the ownership and management of the City of San Antonio (CoSA), the Carver was renovated and reopened in 1977, as the Carver Community Cultural Center. It now operates as a special project of the CoSA’s Conventions Sports and Entertainment Facilities Department.

Nationally-Acclaimed Performances

Esperanza Spalding

Robert Cray

Savion Glover

Sheila E.

Tango Buenos Aires
Photo by: Lucrecia Laurel

Gregory Porter

Black Violin

Jasmine Guy

Aaron Neville

Poncho Sanchez & His Latin Jazz Band

Charlie ‘Bird’ Parker

Billy Eckstine

Cab Calloway

Ella Fitzgerald

Duke Ellington

Lionel Hampton

Paul Robeson

Louis Armstrong

Dizzy Gillespie

Benny Carter

The Carver Community Cultural Center - About Us

Our Board

The mission of the Carver Community Cultural Center is to celebrate the diverse cultures of our world, nation, and community, with emphasis on its African and African-American heritage, by providing challenging artistic presentations, community outreach activities, and educational programs. The Carver Development Board is a 501©3 organization whose mission is to undertake fundraising activities and to provide financial, programming, and advisory support to the Carver Community Cultural Center.

Officers

George Williams, Jr., Ph.D., Chair

George A. Williams, Jr., Ph.D. serves as the Vice President for Student Affairs and Assistant Professor at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Williams earned his bachelor’s degree from Bethune-Cookman University, master’s degree from the University of South Florida, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree, with distinction, from the University of New Mexico (UNM). Dr. Williams has held positions as a special education teacher and Academic Student Success Manger by managing the academic accommodations of university students with disabilities.

Dr. Williams has presented and served as a guest lecture at the state, regional, national, and international levels addressing topics such as diversity, leadership, and cultural responsive teaching. Among many earned academic accomplishments, such as Teacher of the Year with the School District of Hillsborough County and recipient of the Presidential Luminaria award for diversity, Dr. Williams has also served as a community trailblazer. He fulfilled positions as an international board member of Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society, president of the New Mexico Association on Higher Education and Disability (NM-AHEAD), and a school board member for the Las Puntas Charter School. Currently, Dr. Williams is completing three successful terms as treasurer of the Texas Council for Exceptional Children, serves as chair of the Scholarship Committee with the San Antonio Dr. MLK, Jr., Commission, board member of the Carver Development Board, and board member of the Healy Murphy Center.

Dr. Williams vowed to make a difference in the lives of youngsters. From the start of his career in educating children with disabilities and children that demonstrate school dependence, his personal motto has been for them to Own the Knowledge.

Melvin Amerson, Vice Chair

Melvin Amerson is a native of the eastside of San Antonio, and grew up in the Denver Heights neighborhood. Attended schools in S.A.I.S.D. Also, a lifelong member of the Historic St. Paul United Methodist Church.

Amerson serves as a consultant with the Texas Methodist Foundation and has over 20 years of experience assisting clergy and congregations with developing cultures of generosity through coaching, workshops, and seminars. He advises and consults with campus ministry directors and other nonprofit leaders on fundraising and board development. Additionally, facilitates vision and discernment discussions with churches throughout the state.

Further, he is the author of “Stewardship in African American Churches: A New Paradigm”, and “Celebrating the Offering”, which focus on funding ministry, with emphasis on developing cultures of generosity in local churches. Moreover, his writings encourage people to seek a spirit of generosity and philanthropy.

Melvin earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi, an M.Div. degree from Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. Also, completed continuing education in Executive Leadership and Professional Fundraising from Cornell and Boston Universities.

In his spare time, he enjoys attending concerts and events at The Carver.

Dionne Roberts, Treasurer

Dionne Roberts is a nationally recognized housing and community development professional. With over 25 years of experience as synthesizer and catalyst for change, she has a history of developing and sustaining productive relationships and partnerships with communities, citizens, and stakeholders. As President and CEO of TDA Consulting since 2014, she leads the organization’s overall strategic development and works directly with their partners to advance service delivery opportunities. Prior to TDA, Dionne worked in the nonprofit, local government and national policy arenas developing and implementing integrated approaches to community and economic development needs that reflected the values, diversity, aspirations, and priorities of communities. She is adept at the development of policy approaches that enhance the provision of programs and the identification of resources to facilitate direct development. Dionne has a Bachelor’s degree in African American Studies from Syracuse University, a Master’s of Science in Organization Development from American University and is currently pursuing her Doctorate through the University of Southern California. She is a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and the San Antonio Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. She is a recent graduate of the Masters Leadership Program of San Antonio (Class XVIII) and a proud board member of the Carver Development Board.

Erika D. Robinson, Esq., Secretary

President Emeritus

Betty Green

Board Members

Tyshima Alexander

Rosa Gomez

Donald Mason

Dr. Caprica Wells, Ed.D

Dr. Aisha L. Woods, PsyD

Dr. Aisha Woods was born and raised on the eastside of San Antonio, Texas. She has an A.A.S. in Information Systems from the Community College of the Air Force, a B.S. in Social Psychology from Park University, a M.S. in Counseling Psychology and a PsyD in Counseling Psychology from Our Lady of the Lake University. Dr. Woods is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPS-S) and has over 12 years of experience in mental health. Dr. Woods’ research interests include clergy member mental health, racial, gender, and age-related microaggressions, culturally affirming mental health experiences and the experiences of people of color in higher education. She proudly served on active duty in the United States Air Force for 7 years and continues to support Veterans causes. As a new board member on the Carver Development Board, Dr. Woods is excited about helping to bridge the age and cultural gap in supporters of the Carver. Dr. Woods is an avid traveler and enjoys all things related to wine.

The Carver Development Board Presents

Cavalcade

of the Stars

2024 Sponsors

Bravo

Applause

Bryan & Sandra Pratt

Mark Wittig