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Kentucky Heritage Council

Kentucky African American Heritage Commission

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KAAHC | 2025 America250KY Grant Program

The Kentucky African American Heritage Commission is offering grants to eligible 501(c)3 agencies and programs as part of the America 250-KY Kentucky Heritage Council Preservation program. 

  • Application Deadline: May 15, 2025 | Applicants will submit the attached application no later than May 15, 2025, receiving a maximum of $5,000.00 against their budget. 
  • We are providing (8) grants for this round. 
  • Projects must be completed by December 31, 2025 and a final report submitted by April 1, 2026. 
Download the Application:
​​​Eligible program examples are as follows: 
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  • Research 
  • Publications 
  • Exhibition planning or implementation 
  • Interpretive signs 
  • Events and public programs 

  • ​Educational programs 
  • Production and implementation of tours 
  • Purchasing collections (artifact or archival) 
  • Historic preservation 

Questions or concerns regarding your grant application should be addressed to Tressa Brown​ before the application deadline.​

​How does your project support one of the themes indicated below from the Kentucky Historical Society? ​
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Revolutionary Experiment

Our founding mothers and fathers did not have all the answers. They knew America was a revolutionary experiment and they expected future generations to improve upon their work. The four editions of the Kentucky constitution serve as a prime example of this experiment as people advocated for their inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This history is not always uphill, but full of both advancements and setbacks. This theme allows us to reflect on Kentucky’s and the nation’s founding ideals and encourages discussions about our democracy and civic institutions.  

We The People

Since the settlement of Kentucky lands by Native groups, what it means to be a Kentuckian has changed. The definition and process of citizenship has altered drastically over the past 250 years in both Kentucky and the United States. Today, there are many different people that call Kentucky home.
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Power of Place

Our natural and built environments shape our identities. Over the past 250 years, our environment and those that reside in it, have changed. Across the regions of Kentucky today, how people identify with the Commonwealth varies. Although our experiences and perspectives differ from region to region, we all share history. This history allows us to draw similarities between different places to help us better understand the past and present.
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Crossroads in History

Since 1776, Kentucky has stood at the crossroads of multiple historic movements, from westward expansion, the Civil War, the Trail of Tears, the Underground Railroad, the Great Migration, and more. Moreover, Kentucky’s political and cultural output has expanded far beyond the state, influencing our nation’s history and broader social trends.

Doing History 

By exploring state and local history during the 250th, Kentuckians can use the past to better understand our roles and responsibilities within our communities today. To accomplish this, Kentuckians can visit museums and historic sites and discuss why history is important today. By engaging with history, we become better informed citizens who understand where America has been and where it’s going.

Notification: The grantee agrees to invite the Kentucky Historical Society to any public programs or events that are planned/implemented using these funds. A brief email invitation should be sent to Stuart Sanders​ and Ashley Spenneberg​.

Final Report: The grantee must complete a final report that outlines how the funds were spent. The final report form is attached. This report must be returned to Stuart Sanders at the Kentucky Historical Society by April 1, 2026. If applicable, with the final report the grantee shall include one copy of any tangible item (report, book, brochure, etc.) that was produced using grant funds. 

Recognition of the Kentucky Historical Society and KAAHC: 
  • Grantees will include this language in all general information communications about the projects (i.e., press releases, social media, websites): This project is supported with funding from the Kentucky Historical Society and KAAHC. For more information, see history.ky.gov. 
  • The grantee will include this language in all products related to the project: This project is supported with funding from the Kentucky Historical Society and KAAHC​
This project is supported with funding from the Kentucky Historical Society and KAAHC. 
  • Non-compliance: Failure of the grantee to comply with any part of the project responsibilities, as determined by the Kentucky Historical Society, may result in the termination of this agreement and the grantee’s subsequent return of grant funds to the Kentucky Historical Society. Any unused funds must be returned to the Kentucky Historical Society. 
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Mission of the Commission

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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Upcoming Meetings

TBA

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Commission Members

Preservation Community

Betty Dobson, Chair, Paducah

​Arts Community

Willard Lamont Collins, Louisville

Institute of Higher Education

Tyler D. Fleming, Louisville
Samuel R. Coleman, Jr., Middlesboro​

Public-at-Large

Betty Baker-Clayton, Cadiz​
Richard Fowler, Wilder  
​Natalie Gibson, Lexington  
​Charisse Gillett, Versailles
​Karen E. Morehead, Smithfield
​Lacy L. Rice, Jr., Radcliff
Diana W. Woods, Lexington
Mary C. Woolridge, Louisville
Tia Edwards, Lexington
David Greer, Oakland
Wendell Lynch, Hopkinsville
Ashley Smith, Lexington

Ex Officio by Position

Lindy Casebier, Secretary
Tourism Arts and Heritage Cabinet
Koffi C. Akakpo, President
Kentucky State University

​Craig Potts, Executive Director & State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO)
Kentucky Heritage Council​

KHC Staff

Tressa T. Brown, Commission Coordinator
Nicole Roth, Site Identification Program Manager