An Official Website of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
The Kentucky African American Heritage Commission (KAAHC) was established by Governor Paul Patton in 1995 for the purpose of preserving and interpreting important Kentucky African American heritage sites. At the time of its origination, the KAAHC was only the second state supported African American Heritage Commission in the nation. Since its inception and establishment of a brick-and-mortar preservation grant fund, the Commission has funded over 100 African American heritage sites throughout Kentucky. In keeping with our mission to preserve important elements of Kentucky African American history and heritage, all those who apply must agree to meet the following funding criteria:
The Kentucky African-American Heritage Commission is pleased to issue our project application for 2025. We have this opportunity due to the foresight of our state legislature to see the value and significance of Black history in our state. Our projects provide factual information for education and enhance the opportunity for tourism across the state. We encourage you to review our website under the Kentucky Heritage Council to see how we help make Kentucky a destination site and an enjoyable place to live and travel. We have had the pleasure of supporting projects across the state ranging from $1000.00 to $10,000.00. The purpose of our funding is to supplement your project budget. We encourage the applicants to seek additional funds to complete their financial needs.
Questions or concerns regarding your grant application should be addressed to Tressa Brown before the application deadline.
The mission of the Kentucky African American Heritage Commission (KAAHC) is to identify and promote awareness of significant African American influences on the history and culture of Kentucky and to support and encourage the preservation of Kentucky African American heritage and historic sites. The commission has 19 members appointed by the Governor and includes representatives from the state’s major universities, state agencies, community preservation organizations and interested citizens. The commission is administratively attached to the Kentucky Heritage Council, with the council providing staff assistance and program oversight.
Some of the commission’s ongoing programs include educational forums and a Rosenwald School survey and inventory project.
KAAHC was formally established February 10, 1994 by Executive Order 94-145a to “promote awareness of significant African-American influences within the historical and cultural experiences of Kentucky” (enabling legislation KRS. 171.800).
African American history in Kentucky has roots in the Commonwealth’s earliest history, as African Americans accompanied and assisted Daniel Boone on his arrival to the new frontier in 1769. Later, as a border state during the Civil War, Kentucky’s unique condition did not lessen the cruelty and pain of slavery. However through hard work, strength and perseverance, African Americans prevailed, and today these experiences have left a lasting legacy of places that Kentuckians take pride in preserving.
The Kentucky Heritage Council and Kentucky African American Heritage Commission are dedicated to preserving buildings and places important to the history of African Americans. Kentucky has an array of sites that tell the story of slavery, the Underground Railroad, Civil War, education and civil rights, and a historically Black college is leading research efforts. Many architecturally significant buildings and museums preserve and promote local African American heritage. KHC has also worked in partnership with organizations across the state to identify remaining Rosenwald Schools in an effort to preserve and rehabilitate them.
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