The word black has been dropped from the center's name and the activities it provides have become more diversified. Yet, the center remains the oasis it was meant to be for African American students at our predominantly white university. Its activities are aimed at promoting an understanding of African American culture, heritage and issues.

"Keep in mind the name of the center," said Lillian Johnson, Bolinga's director. "This is primarily a resource center."

Students of all races use the center's variety of resource materials to broaden their perspective. "Students from the College of Nursing and Health studying diversity come with questions," said Johnson, "and education students look here for information on African history."

Acting as a conduit for the university's black community, the center collaborates with academic and support services to offer an ongoing schedule of programs reflecting African American culture and issues. "We can't do anything that costs money without their support," said Johnson.

"The College of Liberal Arts has always been supportive, and Dr. Kumar from the College of Business and Administration has always been the light in our bleakest hour."

The Bolinga Center was only in its planning stages when Lillian Johnson graduated from Central State University in 1970, with a bachelor of arts degree in art education. After teaching art in Virginia high schools for 10 years as she followed her husband's Air Force career, Johnson went on to complete a master's degree in business at Central Michigan University in 1985. She began her Wright State career 10 years ago as an academic advisor, an experience that translated well when she moved to the Bolinga Center seven years ago.

Through its minority speakers series and the community speakers series, Bolinga has co-sponsored lectures and presentations by notable African Americans such as Rae Lewis Thornton, Rita Dove, Gordon Parks, Maya Angelou and Clarence Pendleton. The center also makes videos, films, magazine and newspapers available.

Even as the center's director, a position she has held for almost four years, Johnson still sees herself as an advisor. She actively recruits tutors and mentors for students looking for help or direction and acts as advisor to the Black Student Union. The center provides a space for a variety of student groups and organizations to meet, and Johnson and her staff provide the assistance they need to attain their goals.

Bolinga Cultural Resources Center

"I see my job as helping African American students negotiate the maze of bureaucracy of the university," she said. "This is especially important for students who don't have a network of people to ask. All of the students in a peer group may be first-generation college students. They can't fall back on each other for help and information.

"I don't serve in the capacity of minority affairs or affirmative action. I have no power to take action on behalf of the student. However, I can tell them who to take their problems to for help, and I can listen and give advice. These kids need someone to validate their concerns. I don't want a student to think no one cares about what happens to them.

"Yesterday a student came to me and said 'I know this university is trying to defeat me.' She had faced setbacks and roadblocks which she felt were discriminatory. Very often, the thinking among students is that the university doesn't want black students. I explain to them that I can't part the waters. We don't do miracles here. But I can tell you who to call."