Who We Are:

We are the InterCultural House, a non-profit organization that consists of up to 13 undergraduate and graduate student and 2 staff members, who throughout the academic year learn to: live together, respect and learn from one another’s uniqueness, develop a sense of genuine care for one another, develop deep concerns for social issues, and aim to become agents for social change.  The ICH provides academic and service-learning programs during the academic year for our ICH fellows that consist of dialogue nights with a focus on black / white racism, a mentoring program with the local public school, and special events.

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Intercultural House of Pittsburgh (ICH) is to identify, understand, and eliminate the root causes of racism in the United States -- focusing on Black / White racism -- primarily through a living-learning experience among college students. The ICH takes an active approach by facilitating and supporting programming that promotes community engagement and civic leadership dedicated to counteracting the effects of racism in the Pittsburgh community and beyond.

History of ICH

In 1968 with help from the University of Pittsburgh, the Gertrude Stein Foundation began a controversial project with a focus on black / white racism.  In the wake of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and local riots within the city, Professor of Political Science John Tyler directed the Gertrude Stein Foundation to purchase the properties at 272 and 274 North Dithridge Street and combined the houses built there, creating the InterCultural House, in an effort to mend the rift between Black and White Americans.  His implementation of programs to create interaction among the students helped many to understand and respect their differences while also discovering similarities.  20 male students, half Black and half White shared the 10 rooms.

Over 40 years later, the InterCultural House project is still alive, adapting to meet the challenging concerns and needs of the students. It is now Co-Ed and open to any full-time student interested in supporting and furthering the ICH mission. It is now a fully independent Non-profit Organization. Currently donations from the public and residents, in the form of rent, account for the House’s primary budget. The funding covers the monthly bills, sustains the physical house when repairs and renovations are needed, and sponsors the projects and programs of the students.