FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 18, 2024) – The Kentucky African American Heritage Commission (KAAHC) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2024 grant program, which aims to support projects that promote and preserve the rich cultural heritage of African Americans in Kentucky. This year, the commission awarded a total of $47,280 to six diverse projects across the state.
“This grant program helps us highlight the African American culture and history that is such an important part of our great commonwealth,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “Congratulations to this year's recipients, and thank you for your work to lift up Kentucky’s African American voices.”
“Significant funding of projects that support the heritage of African Americans in our state is critical to highlight the contributions made by our ancestors. Whether enslaved or free, our people played a major role in making Kentucky a destination for living, raising families, educating, farming, inventing and building industry,” said Richard Fowler, KAAHC grants committee chair.
The grant recipients represent a wide array of initiatives, from educational programs and community events to preservation efforts and cultural exhibits. Each project reflects the commission's commitment to fostering a deeper understanding of African American history, heritage and culture in Kentucky.
2024 Grant 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 using archived interviews, images, newspaper clippings, new interviews and narration to explore the Black experience and 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 $50,000) and is 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 a better understanding of 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.
The East Second Christian Church, Lexington, Ky. – $5,500 – Preservation Efforts
The East Second Street Christian Church, founded in 1874, is one of Kentucky’s oldest African American congregations. 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, Sept. 29, 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.
About the Kentucky African American Heritage Commission
The mission of the 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’s 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. Funding for the Kentucky African American Heritage Commission’s grant program is provided by the General Assembly. The commission is administratively attached to the Kentucky Heritage Council, with the council providing staff assistance and program oversight.
Commission Members:
Betty Dobson (chair), Willard Lamont Collins, Tyler D. Fleming, Samuel R. Coleman Jr., Betty Baker-Clayton, Richard Fowler, Natalie Gibson, Charisse Gillett, Karen E. Morehead, Lacy L. Rice Jr., Diana W. Woods, Mary C. Woolridge, Tia Edwards, David Greer, Wendell Lynch and Ashley Smith.
Ex Officio by Position: Lindy Casebier, secretary, Tourism Arts and Heritage Cabinet; Koffi C. Akakpo, president, Kentucky State University; Craig Potts, Kentucky Heritage Council executive director and State Historic Preservation officer.
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An agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, the Kentucky Heritage Council / State Historic Preservation Office is responsible for the identification, protection and preservation of prehistoric resources and historic buildings, sites and cultural resources throughout the Commonwealth, in partnership with other state and federal agencies, local communities and interested citizens.
http://www.heritage.ky.gov