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Kentucky Heritage Council

Kentucky African American Heritage Commission

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Mission

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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2024 Grant Program Recipients

National Underground Railroad Museum, Maysville, Ky – $12,780 - Roof Repair
The mission of the National Underground Railroad Museum is to study, chronicle, and celebrate the Underground Railroad and the abolitionist movement through preservation, education, and research while presenting truths about slavery and the pathways, policies, and actions that led to liberty, freedom, and personhood for the enslaved. The KAAHC grant will be used to complete roof repairs on the museum’s Bierbower House to preserve the integrity of this important Safe House and its place in Underground Railroad history.

Save the Grand, Frankfort, Ky - $12,000 – Black Experience Documentary
The Grand Theatre is part of the history of segregation throughout the South. The Grand is partnering with Joanna Hay, who in collaboration with members of Frankfort’s Black community, will create a film exploring the Black experience using archived interviews, images, newspaper clippings, new interviews, and narration to explore the history of the Grand Theatre. The film will be screened publicly at the Grand Theatre, online, at film festivals, museums, and on public television. Lesson plans will be developed for the PBS Learning Media Platform. The Grand is raising money for film production (approximately $50K) and is still seeking partners who will donate, and make challenge grants in exchange for gifts from others to fund the completion of the film. KAAHC grant proceeds will be used to fund a portion of the film’s production costs. 

New Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Shelbyville, Ky - $7,000 – Building Repair
The New Mt. Zion Baptist Church holds profound historical and cultural significance within the African American community. Established in the aftermath of the Civil War, this church has served as a cornerstone of faith, social justice, and community empowerment for generations of African Americans in Kentucky. Preserving this site is not only an act of historic preservation, it’s an affirmation of the legacy of African American resilience, leadership, and spirituality. The KAAHC grant will fund a rehabilitation project to pressure wash, scrape, caulk, prime, and paint the exterior of the New Mt. Zion Baptist Church building. By restoring the church’s exterior, this project ensures that this significant cultural and historic landmark remains intact for future generations. 
 
Paducah Historical Preservation Group - $8,500 – Helen LaFrance Art Exhibit
The Paducah Historical Preservation Group (PHPG) has curated a collection of 14 “Memory Painting” pieces by renowned Kentucky folk artist Helen LaFrance. PHPG will provide free exhibit tours to school groups and the general public. Exhibit viewers will learn about Helen LaFrance the artist, her artwork that reflects life in the south, and better understand the experience of living in western Kentucky in the early 20th Century. KAAHC grant funds will support this new program beginning during the 2024-25 school year and extending through the first half of the 2025-26 school year. 

2nd Christian Church, Lexington, Ky - $5,500 – Preservation Efforts
The East Second Street Christian Church, founded in 1874, is one of the oldest African American congregations in Kentucky. The church played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement, offering sanctuary for leaders and activists and serving as a gathering place for discussions and actions that advanced racial equality. Its historical and cultural significance extends to its architecture, which reflects the African American experience and adaptation over nearly two centuries. The grant funds will fund the Historic Preservation Plan and Feasibility Study, a critical step in preserving an essential chapter of Kentucky’s African American History.

Kentucky Educational Television (KET) – $1,500 - Be My Neighbor Day, Louisville, Ky
​In partnership with the Fred Rogers Foundation, KET presented its 8th annual Be My Neighbor Day on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park. The event focused on introducing Louisville’s underserved families to organizations and resources that support their children's educational, emotional, and cultural understanding. Building on the values and themes of the hit PBS KIDS show, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Be My Neighbor Day is an opportunity for KET to collaborate with new and existing community partners to educate children of all ages about local volunteerism, family engagement, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

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2025 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 (September 1 – June 1);
  • 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 2025 submission period has not opened yet, please check back in 2025.


In the News

The Kentucky Museum, in association with America 250 and the Kentucky African American Heritage Commission, hosted a public forum on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024 addressing the reality of issues with critical race theory.​ Read more about it: 
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The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce (NKY Chamber) presented the Rev. Richard B.L. Fowler with the NKY Community Award, given to individuals, businesses, or organizations throughout the Northern Kentucky Metro region in recognition of their positive impact on the community.


2024 KAAHC Grant Recipient Articles​

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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