XCEL ENERGY DONATION AIDS HISTORIC NORTH HEIGHTS VENUE

PHOTOS BY DOUGLAS CLARK

By Douglas Clark

Avenue described as a longtime North Heights neighborhood hub fostering community cohesiveness has received a $15,000 award from Xcel Energy to help bolster programming efforts.

Officials said the Black Historical Cultural Center, located at 901 N. Hayden St. and established in 1992 by the Amarillo United Citizens Forum, has played an essential role in Black history and culture preservation here.

“This facility and the nonprofit that operates it have done so much to enrich community life, not just in north Amarillo, but for the city at large,” Brad Baldridge, Xcel Energy director of Customer and Community Relations noted via a media release statement. “A younger generation of leaders is reinvigorating the center’s programs and building pride in a historic part of the city where citizens are organizing and working to improve the quality of life.”

“This facility and the nonprofit that operates it have done so much to enrich community life, not just in north Amarillo, but for the city at large.”

– Brad Baldridge, Xcel Energy director of Customer and Community Relations

Xcel officials indicated community support is important, prompting the company to award the funds to assist with programming and maintenance initiatives.

Officials noted the Black Historical Cultural Center is owned and operated by the nonprofit Amarillo United Citizens Forum and built on the site of the Wyatt Memorial Hospital and Clinic. The facility provided healthcare for Black residents barred from using the city’s hospitals and clinics.

Per recent social media posts, the Black Historical Cultural Center has partnered with the Hilltop Senior Citizens Center to initiate a winter coat drive, and the facility served as a vegetable box distribution site.

“There’s two examples of what the center means to North Heights and really Amarillo as a whole,” Amarillo resident Suzette Martin said. “It has so much value as a gathering spot and a point of contact for all of the different services that are offered. We’re blessed to have the Black Historical Cultural Center and look forward to it continuing to be a game changer. Gifts such as the one Xcel Energy presented will help the center do that.”

Amarillo resident Will Coleman said the Black Historical Cultural Center is a recognizable, valued centerpiece.

“Everybody knows about the center and what it offers, so it’s up to us to keep it at the forefront when we’re doing different things,” he said. “Every neighborhood needs a spot that is known as the source for information and education. And that’s what we have on Hayden Street. I believe I can speak for the community in thanking Xcel for the generous donation.”