The vision of W.E.B. Du Bois, one of the most influential Black intellectuals of the 20th century, continues to inspire across generations. Now, his great-grandson, Houston resident Jeffrey Alan Peck, is working on a monumental project to ensure his legacy lives globally.
The W.E.B. Du Bois Center, set to be built in Ghana by 2028, will serve as a world-class museum and educational center to promote Du Bois’s life, work, and ideals. The center will also foster cultural exchanges, particularly for members of the African diaspora.
Peck, who has spent years advocating for his great-grandfather’s legacy, was born in Colorado and moved to Houston in 1969. Over the years, he has embraced his family’s rich history, becoming a spokesperson for the Du Bois family while remaining deeply involved in the Black community in Houston. He is an active Community of Faith Church member and works with various racial justice initiatives.
Peck explains that the new W.E.B. Du Bois Center in Ghana will embody his great-grandfather’s lifelong commitment to racial equality and social justice, focusing on education, research, and a deep connection with Africa.
“The center will be a place where people can come from all over the world to learn about Du Bois’ contributions,” he said. “It’s more than just a museum; it will be an educational hub where his writings, philosophies, and ideas can be studied in depth.”
He went on to describe the center as “holy ground” because his great-grandfather passed away in Ghana in 1963 and is buried at the very site where the center will be located.
Du Bois moved to Ghana in 1961 at the invitation of Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president, to work on the Encyclopedia Africana, a major project he had dreamed of creating for much of his life. His final years were spent in Ghana, working to build bridges between the diaspora and the African continent, and now, through Peck and others, his vision is being resurrected.
“Building this center in Ghana is deeply meaningful for the family,” Peck said. “It’s a continuation of my great-grandfather’s work. His mission was always about connecting African Americans and people of African descent with their roots, helping them understand their history and culture.”
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This project also aligns with the growing movement among African countries, particularly Ghana, to reconnect with the African diaspora. In 2019, Ghana’s Year of Return campaign invited people of African descent from around the world to visit the country, leading to a significant increase in tourism and renewed interest in Africa’s role in Black history.
The W.E.B. Du Bois Center will further these efforts, offering a place for Black Americans and others in the diaspora to learn about their heritage while exploring Du Bois’s contributions. The center will serve as a repository for DuBois’ writings and artifacts and as a space for academic research, cultural exchanges, and community-building initiatives.
“My great-grandfather’s work wasn’t just about Black people in America. It was about human rights for everyone, but especially for those who had been marginalized and oppressed,” he explained. “I want people to understand that he cared deeply about the future of the African continent and its people. The center will reflect that global vision.”
Peck also spoke about how the project connects to the Houston community. Having lived in the city since childhood, he is passionate about uplifting Black communities in the area.
“Houston has a large Black diaspora, and I want to make sure that this city is part of the conversation when it comes to preserving our history and culture,” he said. “We can all contribute to this legacy, and I’m encouraging Houstonians to get involved.”
Fundraising for the center will begin officially in early 2024, but donations are already being accepted. The project has ambitious goals, including creating a space for academic study where scholars from around the world can come to learn about Du Bois’ work and its relevance today.
“This is a global effort, but it deeply connects to Houston and its Black residents. We have an opportunity to contribute to something that will impact generations to come,” he said. “This center will be where we can educate, inspire, and empower people for years to come, just as my great-grandfather envisioned.”
