The new 8,000 SF Mervyn M. Dymally African American Political & Economic Institute (MDAAPEI) building at California State University, Dominguez Hills, will embody progress, purpose, and vision, marking the start of a new era of growth and expanding the Institute’s significance.
Once confined to a 450 SF space in the campus library, where the Executive Director worked from a converted janitor’s closet, the Institute has consistently documented and celebrated African American leadership in politics, business, and public policy. Despite space constraints, MDAAPEI has empowered students and the community through training, leadership programs, and cultural events that highlight the African Diaspora. The 8,000 SF AC Martin-designed facility will be built on a vacant site near the College of Continuing & Professional Education. The building will include administrative offices, a reading center for rare works, and ample space for community engagement on critical issues. The Institute will house a digital archive, oral histories, a research space, and a 2,000-volume library open to scholars statewide. Signature events, including the Aging Symposium, the Distinguished Speaker Series, and the African American Leadership Summit, will now have a dedicated home, amplifying the Institute’s impact. AC Martin was also tasked with developing a conceptual furniture plan to guide future furnishings, ensuring every detail aligns with the Institute’s goals. Thoughtfully designed interiors will honor the Institute’s mission and inspire visitors, reaffirming MDAAPEI’s commitment to empowering future generations, preserving vital histories
