African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund's $3 Million Grant Aims to Safeguard Historic Black Sites
On July 21, 2026, the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, which is part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, declared a pivotal initiative to distribute $3 million in preservation grants to 27 historic sites across the United States. This landmark decision is made through two of its flagship programs: the National Grant Program and the Conserving Black Modernism Initiative. Since its inception in 2017, this Fund has garnered over $200 million, funding more than 430 projects dedicated to preserving the rich heritage of Black Americans.
Brent Leggs, the President and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the founding force behind the Action Fund, stated, "Historic places are essential for grasping our nation's identity and collective memory." He emphasized that these grants serve as critical investments in communities that are striving to tell the complete American narrative — one that encompasses the trials for freedom and civil rights, as well as the monumental accomplishments of Black individuals in various fields such as education, architecture, entrepreneurship, and cultural leadership.
In acknowledging how history is approached and presented in modern society, the 2026 grants focus on areas that narrate the diverse experiences and contributions of African Americans. This year's funding highlights the significance of local initiatives that foster ownership and stewardship of these historic locations. Tiffany Tolbert, Co-Director of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, remarked on the national implications of these grants. "The diversity present in this year's grantee list indicates that the work of preserving Black history necessitates ongoing investment, robust local leadership, and strategic partnerships. We are proud to align ourselves with organizations dedicated to safeguarding sites that shape our greater cultural landscape."
Among the noteworthy recipients of this year's National Grant Program funding, totaling $2.26 million, are 22 organizations representing distinct regions across America. These grants support sites that safeguard cultural heritage, memorialize civil rights histories, educate the public, and celebrate women's leadership. For example, the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor spans multiple states and aims to preserve one of the most unique Black cultural landscapes in the U.S. The Eliza Freeman House in Connecticut, notable as the residence of a self-made Black businesswoman from the 1840s, and the home of Dr. Jane Ellen McAllister in Mississippi, the first Black woman to achieve a Ph.D. in Education from Columbia University, stand out among the grant projects. These sites, alongside Thelma's Cafe in West Virginia — a recognized stop in the Green Book famous for hosting icons like Etta James and Tina Turner — highlight the rich narratives that these grants strive to uphold.
Additionally, the Conserving Black Modernism Initiative, funded through a partnership with the J. Paul Getty Foundation, awarded $750,000 to five projects aimed at preserving and promoting work by Black Modernist architects. This year’s portfolio showcases projects such as Fisk University’s Park Johnson Hall and the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanities Center at Texas Southern University. These selections illustrate how preservation can broaden the understanding of modernist architecture to include contributions from Black professionals and community-focused designs.
Joan Weinstein, Director of the Getty Foundation, shared her sentiments on the initiative's impact: "This cooperation over the last five years has facilitated tangible steps toward preserving sites of significance that embody Black excellence in design and resilience." The Action Fund recognizes the essential role of philanthropic partners who believe in the transformative power of preservation and education. This year's process has greatly benefited from the commitment of various supporters, including the Freedom Together Foundation, the Robert D.L. Gardiner Foundation, and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
The announcement of these grants comes at a significant moment as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the United States. This milestone accentuates the necessity to uphold places that narrate a comprehensive and inclusive story of America. As discussions around historical remembrance intensify, the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund firmly endorses the collective protection of the people, places, and movements that have undeniably shaped the country's narrative.
For a complete list of the 2026 National Grant Program and Conserving Black Modernism Initiative grantees, comprehensive resources are available through the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s website.
Brent Leggs, the President and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the founding force behind the Action Fund, stated, "Historic places are essential for grasping our nation's identity and collective memory." He emphasized that these grants serve as critical investments in communities that are striving to tell the complete American narrative — one that encompasses the trials for freedom and civil rights, as well as the monumental accomplishments of Black individuals in various fields such as education, architecture, entrepreneurship, and cultural leadership.
In acknowledging how history is approached and presented in modern society, the 2026 grants focus on areas that narrate the diverse experiences and contributions of African Americans. This year's funding highlights the significance of local initiatives that foster ownership and stewardship of these historic locations. Tiffany Tolbert, Co-Director of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, remarked on the national implications of these grants. "The diversity present in this year's grantee list indicates that the work of preserving Black history necessitates ongoing investment, robust local leadership, and strategic partnerships. We are proud to align ourselves with organizations dedicated to safeguarding sites that shape our greater cultural landscape."
Among the noteworthy recipients of this year's National Grant Program funding, totaling $2.26 million, are 22 organizations representing distinct regions across America. These grants support sites that safeguard cultural heritage, memorialize civil rights histories, educate the public, and celebrate women's leadership. For example, the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor spans multiple states and aims to preserve one of the most unique Black cultural landscapes in the U.S. The Eliza Freeman House in Connecticut, notable as the residence of a self-made Black businesswoman from the 1840s, and the home of Dr. Jane Ellen McAllister in Mississippi, the first Black woman to achieve a Ph.D. in Education from Columbia University, stand out among the grant projects. These sites, alongside Thelma's Cafe in West Virginia — a recognized stop in the Green Book famous for hosting icons like Etta James and Tina Turner — highlight the rich narratives that these grants strive to uphold.
Additionally, the Conserving Black Modernism Initiative, funded through a partnership with the J. Paul Getty Foundation, awarded $750,000 to five projects aimed at preserving and promoting work by Black Modernist architects. This year’s portfolio showcases projects such as Fisk University’s Park Johnson Hall and the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanities Center at Texas Southern University. These selections illustrate how preservation can broaden the understanding of modernist architecture to include contributions from Black professionals and community-focused designs.
Joan Weinstein, Director of the Getty Foundation, shared her sentiments on the initiative's impact: "This cooperation over the last five years has facilitated tangible steps toward preserving sites of significance that embody Black excellence in design and resilience." The Action Fund recognizes the essential role of philanthropic partners who believe in the transformative power of preservation and education. This year's process has greatly benefited from the commitment of various supporters, including the Freedom Together Foundation, the Robert D.L. Gardiner Foundation, and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
The announcement of these grants comes at a significant moment as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the United States. This milestone accentuates the necessity to uphold places that narrate a comprehensive and inclusive story of America. As discussions around historical remembrance intensify, the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund firmly endorses the collective protection of the people, places, and movements that have undeniably shaped the country's narrative.
For a complete list of the 2026 National Grant Program and Conserving Black Modernism Initiative grantees, comprehensive resources are available through the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s website.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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