The Italian Cultural Center of San Diego—Then and Now
In 1971, Graziella Spinelli Kehrenberg, who had moved to San Diego from Asmara, Eritrea, wanted to share her native language, Italian, with residents of her new home. The advice she received was that there was little to no interest, “but give it a shot, and if students enroll, you’ll have a class.” Not one to be deterred, Graziella began teaching Italian through an adult education program. Shortly thereafter, she became the first Italian language professor at San Diego State University and at the University of San Diego (USD)
Together with Dolores Torik, who taught at San Diego Community College and USD, and Father Grancini, then-pastor at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Little Italy, Graziella founded the Italian Community Center (ICC), a nonprofit organization whose aim was to share Italian language and culture with the public. The ICC, today known as the Italian Cultural Center, was born in 1981. Italian lessons began in classroom space provided by Our Lady of the Rosary in a building located behind the church.
In the beginning, the lessons were offered free of charge, and the ICC grew rapidly, with future students lining up around the block to register for classes. Within a few years, the ICC had to begin charging for the courses to pay for a secretary and classroom supplies. As the classes attracted more students, the ICC decided to compensate its teachers, who had dedicated their time and talents without remuneration.
One early teacher, Silvia Metzger, also a longtime board member, recounts stories of Graziella’s mother playing the piano for the many parties organized by the ICC over the years. The parties were filled with Italian music and songs. As the ICC became more organized, free events were added to its offerings. Every month the teachers gave lectures on Italian history, culture, food, art, and music. The meetings were packed. Barbara Carra, still a board member today, offered cooking classes to ICC members.
The Italian Cultural Center has grown and prospered because of the contributions and insights of its long term board members and teachers. New board members, staff, and teachers fuel the ICC’s great pride in and passion for sharing our Italian ancestry, language, and culture. The ICC continues to expand and deepen its class and event offerings, honoring the ever-evolving facets of Italian culture(s) and life.
