June 19th- October 26th

Celebrating SAACC’s 25th anniversary, the exhibition reflects on its role as New Hampshire’s first Black arts and culture center. Opening June 19, SAACC at 25 highlights the center’s impact through art, history, and public education.

As the season unfolds, Strawbery Banke will also prepare for a milestone—the first-ever public opening of Penhallow House, which will share the story of one of SAACC’s founding board members, Geraldine “Jeri” Cousins Palmer’s family.

August 3rd

The NAACP Community Picnic is a great time to get together and enjoy the seacoast with your friends and neighbors. Catch up with old friends and meet new ones! This is a family friendly event!

August 8th

Featuring the amazing vocals of Yamica Peterson. 6-8pm. More details to follow!

August 17th

SAACC is a core participant in the New England BIPOC Festival, an annual celebration since 2021 of food, music, and community in the greater Seacoast area. Our members share stories, insights and their multiple talents in festival performance and provide information about the Center and possibilities to contribute.

“As long as black and brown people are marginalized, ignored, regarded as second class citizens, or blocked from the same rights and privileges enjoyed by white folks, our democracy cannot succeed.” - From the festival organizers

September 3rd

Book of the month: Paradise by Toni Morrison. This month’s book club will be held at the Black Heritage Trail of NH, 222 Court Street, Portsmouth, NH starting at 5:30pm.

September 20th

Wine and cheese event for our donors and board members. Held at SAACC. More details coming soon!

September 28th

Live runway showcase honoring artistry and the cultural legacy of Black hair, beauty, identity, and community. Held at 3S Artspace, Portsmouth, NH. More details to follow.

October 1st

More details coming soon!

October 9th

5:30 pm.

“Behind every great woman is another great woman.” -Kate Hodges

Please join us for an evening of Her❤️Stories: three tales of inspiration, motivation, and remembrance, shared by women whose lives were deeply affected by another. We hope you will be inspired to carry them forward!

“Her❤️Story: from Her❤️Heart to Yours” was co-created by Valerie Fagin and Susan Hess to help honor Women’s History Month in our community. We look forward to an engaging and thought-provoking evening with individual stories of inspiration presented by Sandi Clark Kaddy, Priscilla Stevens French, and Susan Hess, and moderated by Valerie Fagin.

Valerie - An original member of Ballet Hispanico of NY, Valerie believes everyone has creativity and a story to share.

Sandi- SAACC’s President.  She will be discussing American activist, Fanny Lou Hamer.

Priscilla- She will be presenting on her 2nd great aunt Blanche Ames Ames—suffragist, political activist, inventor, artist, and writer. A true Renaissance woman.

Susan- She will tell the story of the fiercely courageous artist, Charlotte Salomon