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Kentucky African American Heritage Commission

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2025 KAAHC Grant Program

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:           

  • Be an established 501c3 or non-profit organization;
  • Submit, with the application, a copy of your 501c3 Award Letter;
  • Submit, with the application, a completed W-9;
  • Acknowledge and agree to submit timely project progress reports; 
  • Complete funded projects within the grant time frame;
  • Approved and completed projects must acknowledge the financial support of the
    Kentucky African American Heritage Commission and the Kentucky Heritage Council; and 
  • Download and submit a completed application.


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.

  • ​All required supporting information must be attached to the application when submitted. An incomplete application will not be accepted. 
  • When your project is completed, you are to acknowledge financial support was provided by the Kentucky African American Heritage Commission and the Kentucky State Historic Preservation Office. 
  • Applications can be downloaded, completed and submitted online as PDF files, forwarded to the attention of the Kentucky African American Heritage Commission Grants Committee, Kentucky Heritage Council, 410 High Street, Frankfort, KY 40601 or emailed to the attention of Tressa.Brown@ky.gov. 
  • Questions or concerns regarding your grant application should be addressed to Tressa Brown at 502-892-3607 before the application deadline.
Your signature is permission for the Commission to take pictures of your project and use them for publicity on our website and printed materials.
Application Deadline: September 26, 2025 
Target fund distribution is October 31, 2025
Download the application:


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

As the United States prepares to celebrate the 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, the KHS, KHC and partners across the commonwealth are exploring the history of the state from the nation’s founding to today.

This commemoration will recognize the people, places, and events over the past 250 years that created our shared history. It will also allow us to examine Kentucky’s role in the development of the United States and how our country’s ideals of freedom, liberty, and justice have evolved since 1776.
Through educational programs, preservation projects and statewide events and activities, we will celebrate our history while considering what it means to be a Kentuckian.

The Kentucky African American Heritage Commission is offering grants to eligible agencies and programs as part of the America 250-KY Kentucky Heritage Council Preservation program. Applicants will submit this application no later than October 15, 2025. The purpose of these grants is to supplement your project budget above $5000.00. We are providing grants at $5000.00, maximum against your budget. Awards will be disbursed by November 15, 2025. Projects must be completed by December 31, 2026, and a final report is to be submitted by that time. Commission members will follow up with grantees during the life of their project.​


  • Application Deadline: October 15, 2025 | Applicants will submit the attached application no later than Oct. 15, 2025, receiving a maximum of $5,000.00 against their budget. 
  • Projects must be completed by December 31, 2026 and a final report submitted at that time. 
Download the Application:
​​​Eligible program examples are as follows: 

  • 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.


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.

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 must be returned to Stuart Sanders at the Kentucky Historical Society by December 31, 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. 



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​​


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