The Legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois Lives On
Discover how the vision of W.E.B. Du Bois, one of the most influential Black intellectuals of the 20th century, continues to inspire across generations. Houston resident Jeffrey Alan Peck, his great-grandson, is leading a monumental project to ensure that legacy lives on globally.
The W.E.B. Du Bois Center, scheduled to be built in Ghana by 2028, will be a world-class museum and educational center dedicated to promoting Du Bois’s life, work, and ideals. This center will also facilitate cultural exchanges, especially for members of the African diaspora.
Peck, a Colorado native who moved to Houston in 1969, has been a passionate advocate for his great-grandfather’s legacy. He has embraced his family’s rich history, becoming a spokesperson for the Du Bois family and actively participating in the Black community in Houston. As a member of the Community of Faith Church, Peck is involved in various racial justice initiatives.
The W.E.B. Du Bois Center in Ghana will embody Du Bois’s dedication to racial equality and social justice, with a focus on education, research, and a profound connection with Africa.
Peck envisions the center not just as a museum, but as an educational hub where Du Bois’s writings, philosophies, and ideas can be thoroughly studied. He describes the upcoming center as “holy ground” since his great-grandfather passed away in Ghana in 1963 and is buried at the exact location where the center will be constructed.
Du Bois’s move to Ghana in 1961, at the invitation of Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president, to work on the Encyclopedia Africana, was a pivotal moment in his life. His final years were dedicated to bridging the gap between the diaspora and the African continent. Now, through Peck and others, Du Bois’s vision is being revived.
The Du Bois Center in Ghana is a testament to the family’s commitment to continuing Du Bois’s mission of connecting African Americans and people of African descent to their roots. It is about helping individuals understand their history and culture, embracing their heritage.
This project aligns with the broader movement among African countries, especially Ghana, to reconnect with the African diaspora. Initiatives like Ghana’s Year of Return campaign have sparked renewed interest in Africa’s role in Black history.
The W.E.B. Du Bois Center will play a crucial role in this narrative, providing a space for Black Americans and others in the diaspora to discover their lineage while exploring Du Bois’s contributions. It will house Du Bois’s writings and artifacts, facilitating academic research, cultural exchanges, and community-building endeavors.
“Du Bois’s work transcends the boundaries of Black America; it is about advocating for human rights for all, particularly those who have been marginalized,” Peck states. “The center will reflect his global vision and demonstrate his profound commitment to the African continent and its people.”
Peck also emphasizes the connection between this project and the Houston community. As a longtime resident invested in uplifting Black communities in the city, he believes that preserving history and culture is a collective responsibility.
Fundraising for the center will officially begin in early 2024, but donations are already being accepted. The project aims to establish an academic space where scholars worldwide can delve into Du Bois’s work and its contemporary relevance.
“This initiative is global in scope, but it has a profound connection to Houston and its Black residents. We have an opportunity to contribute to a legacy that will shape future generations,” Peck affirms. “The center will be a beacon of education, inspiration, and empowerment, echoing the vision of my great-grandfather.”