The Gwendolyn Brooks Center for Black Literature and Creative Writing, founded in 1990, is a literary and cultural center invested in researching, teaching, and disseminating information about acclaimed Black writers, especially the life and works of Gwendolyn Brooks (1917-2000), former poet laureate of Illinois and distinguished professor of English at Chicago State University. The Brooks Center’s mission is to promote the study of Black writers and strengthen the humanities, especially literature, history, art, music, culture and health awareness by engaging in collaborative and interactive programming for students, faculty, and the general public.