Spelman College celebrated its annual homecoming with a high-profile dedication, unveiling the newly renovated LaTanya Richardson Jackson and Samuel L. Jackson Performing Arts Center. The center, named in honor of the Hollywood power couple, reopened in style, honoring their dedication to Spelman and Morehouse Colleges and their remarkable contributions to the arts.
Alumni of Morehouse and Spelman, Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson Jackson are longstanding supporters of both institutions, whose paths first crossed at these Atlanta-based Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Richardson Jackson shared a reflection on how Spelman shaped her life and career, especially in the building now bearing her name.
“Samuel and I are continually invested in the success of Spelman College because Spelman first invested so much in us,” she said. “Everything I know, all of my beginnings were in this building. It is an honor for us to help support the school’s vital mission and to ensure that it continues to serve as a space of inspiration and training for the next generation of leaders.”
The couple’s commitment is apparent in the extensive renovation efforts they spearheaded. Together, the Jacksons donated $5 million to update the Rockefeller Fine Arts building, and with their influence and efforts, raised an additional $10 million for the project, bringing its total to $17.3 million. The renovation included significant upgrades to the theater, lobby, and additional spaces, turning the building into a modernized arts facility that not only commemorates the Jacksons’ legacy but also strengthens Spelman’s offerings for arts education and performance.
The celebration included the unveiling of a mural, crafted by Atlanta artist Quintin Jackson, who worked closely with archivists, playbills, and former professors to capture the Jacksons’ early days as members of the Morehouse Spelman Players theatrical group. The mural, featuring 135 images, illustrates the history of the Jacksons’ collegiate years and their journey in theater, memorializing their early accomplishments and contributions to the arts.
The dedication ceremony drew a crowd of attendees from Black Hollywood, including Morehouse alumnus Spike Lee and Spelman alumna Danielle Deadwyler. In her remarks, Spelman’s interim president, Rosalind “Roz” Brewer, acknowledged the significance of the occasion and praised the Jacksons’ enduring connection to their alma maters.
“Tonight’s celebration heralds a vibrant new era for the arts at Spelman, where performances and presentations will now flourish in a cutting-edge facility designed to inspire creativity and excellence,” Brewer said. She emphasized that the couple’s journey, which began on stage at Spelman, now serves as a “lasting tribute in the very place where it all began.”
Richardson Jackson’s connection to the performing arts center is deeply personal. In a statement, she called the updated facility a tribute not only to her and her husband’s legacy but also to the generations of Spelman artists to come. “May the unveiling of this glorious mural be an inspiration to the beautiful artists past, present and future who walk these halls,” she said.
The Jacksons’ investment reflects a broader effort among HBCU alumni to expand and modernize campus facilities, ensuring these institutions continue to meet the evolving needs of their students. For Spelman, the Jacksons’ contribution and influence have been instrumental, not just in the physical transformation of the center, but in setting an example of giving back to the communities that shaped them.
The newly renovated LaTanya Richardson Jackson and Samuel L. Jackson Performing Arts Center now stands as a beacon of creative excellence, providing Spelman students with the resources to learn, create, and perform. For attendees, it was a night that celebrated history and a shared commitment to future generations. As Brewer noted, this event marked the beginning of a “vibrant new era” for the arts at Spelman, honoring both the Jacksons’ contributions and the enduring role of HBCUs in empowering Black excellence.
