In November 2017, the National Trust for Historic Preservation launched its African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, a $25 million campaign to support 150 historic places that have been overlooked in American history and represent centuries of African American activism, achievement, and resilience.

Through this preservation effort—the largest ever undertaken in support of African American historic sites—we partner with and empower Black and diverse communities to expand the American story.

Why the Action Fund, and Why Now

Black history is American history, and it is our responsibility to cultivate spaces to engage with it. We must ensure that everyone has the opportunity to draw inspiration and wisdom from African American historic places.

We must tell stories that reflect our complex and difficult past—and help us shape a better collective future. Though America may be rich in diverse history, our society has often been poor in representing that history and in funding its protection, conservation, and recognition. That’s why we actively invest in and restore cultural assets that hold exceptional cultural value.

The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund is about making room—within our understanding of history, preservation, and social justice—for a movement that uses preservation as a force for enacting positive social change. In modeling this approach and in partnering with other organizations around the country, we challenge ourselves to realize equity-driven outcomes that benefit all Americans.

We Believe Black Lives Matter

Through our work, we hope to inspire a new generation of social justice leaders and preservation practitioners who can advocate for the preservation of African American historic sites and communities. Together, we will create a national identity that reflects the nation’s true diversity.

Action Fund in the News

Learn more about the work and history behind the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund.

• The Fight to Preserve African-American History, The New Yorker
• When Architecture and Racial Justice Intersect, Architectural Digest