On Dec. 4, CSUDH officially broke ground on the site for the Mervyn M. Dymally African American Political and Economic Institute’s future home, marking a significant milestone for the Institute and its impact on the university and wider region.
Since its founding, the Dymally Institute has been a leading center for research, public discourse, and community engagement focused on African American history, politics, and culture. However, it never had a dedicated space on campus, instead operating in temporary locations over the years.
Dymally Executive Director Anthony Samad says establishing this permanent presence represents the state of California’s commitment to having an interdisciplinary research and public engagement institute built within a community that has “long had a vacuum of resources for higher learning.” He added that the new facility will strengthen CSUDH’s position as a “destination for the study of African Americans and the communities the university serves.”
The approximately 7,300 gross square foot building will feature dedicated space for expanded Institute programming, including signature events such as the Aging Symposium, Distinguished Speaker Series, and annual African American Leadership Summit. It will also house research space and a 2,000-volume library catalog, broadening access to materials for scholars statewide.
“I’m excited that, upon completion, it will be a showpiece and first-class think tank to attract students and professional staff, building on the transformation that the campus is presently experiencing,” Samad said.
Thanks to the support, partnership, and ongoing advocacy of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBS), the campus was able to receive a one-time appropriation to construct the facility. The future site is located near the CSUDH College of Continuing & Professional Education building, with an expected completion in 2027.
