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Mary Lou Williams Center For Black Culture

Promoting racial understanding and building community.

Belonging Identity, Culture and Religion Mary Lou Williams Center For Black Culture

Welcome to The Lou

Congratulations Class of 2023!

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The mission of the Mary Lou Williams Center at Duke University is to foster a safe and affirming community that supports the diverse needs of Black-identified people.

  • Community

  • Authenticity

  • Inclusion

  • Liberation

  • Respect

We Believe ......

  • Black is not a monolith.

  • That blackness is broad deep & diverse

  • That our blackness should be celebrated, honored and affirmed.

  • Blackness is beautiful

  • That the legacy of our ancestors should be exalted.

  • Black people deserve a space to be authentically and unapologetically liberated. 

The Modern Day Lou

Check in to see what we've been up to lately. Here is a sneak peek at some of our recent programs.
2023 Graduates at Final Honors
2023 Graduates at Final Honors
Students at our final Breaking Bread of the semester
MLW staff at Final Honors 2023
Abele Ambassadors at our 2023 Black History Month event.
MLW staff members snap a picture with 2023 Keynote Speaker, Kimberly Latrice Jones
First Year students attending Breaking Bread
Students attending our Black Community is Black Resistance Breaking Bread for Black History Month
Five black students wearing all black smiling in page auditorium
6 black females smiling

What Are We Up To: 2023 Mary Lou

Watch Final Honors

RSVP for Black Femme Staff Summer Book Club

Summer Hours at The Lou

Office Hours for May 22nd - July 28th Mon. - Thurs. : 9:00am-5:00pm. Fri. : Staff is available virtually and can be reached via email.

Contact Us

Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture (map)
Duke University
101 Flowers Building
Box 90880
Durham, NC 27708-0880

Phone: 919-684-3814
Fax: 919-681-7472
Email: marylou@duke.edu