Stories of African American Cultural Heritage

The National Trust is committed to telling the full American story, because we believe that every American should be able to see themselves, their history, and their potential in both our collective story and our national landscape.

What’s more, when all Americans have the opportunity to learn from African American historic places—from the people who lived and died there, and from the stories these places still embody—they encounter a more diverse and inclusive narrative that advances our understanding of ourselves as a nation.

We invite you to explore the wide array of stories connected to Action Fund work and deepen your own connection to the fullness of Black experiences.

A Conversation Between Phylicia Rashad and Brent Leggs

Join Phylicia Rashad, co-chair and brand ambassador for the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, and Brent Leggs, the program’s executive director, for a conversation about the power of preservation and the Action Fund’s critical work. From personal stories about their connection to places, to the important role that all Americans can play in telling a more inclusive American story, the discussion will amplify the critical importance of preserving African American historic places.

Memorialization: Confederate Statues, African American Heritage, and Public Spaces

Hear a special conversation between Mayor Levar Stoney of Richmond, Virginia, and Action Fund Executive Director Brent Leggs. Recorded at PastForward Online 2020, their conversation will deepen your understanding of how public officials are thinking about historic preservation as a strategy for commemoration and reconciliation, and hear how lessons learned from the Confederate monument controversies that may be applied to the handling of other divisive memorials in public spaces.

African American Cultural Heritage Stories