Black history is American history.
We protect and restore the places where Black Americans lived, worshipped, organized and created, so the full American story stays standing.
The largest preservation effort ever undertaken in support of African American historic sites.
Four ways in.
Fund a place, learn its history, add your voice, or stand with us.
01↗
Grants
Five programs funding capital work, planning, capacity and interpretation at Black historic places.
02↗
Projects
From Rosenwald Schools to Brown v. Board, the initiatives we lead.
03↗
Stories
Films, features and travel guides.
04↗
Ways to help
Pledge, share a story, nominate a place, volunteer your expertise or give.
Every grant,
every place.
Each point of light is a historic site the Action Fund has funded. Watch the map fill in year by year, or filter by the story each place tells.
The places we save shape the story we tell.Rosenwald School · built for Black children across the South in the early 20th century
Too often, the places where significant African American history happened have gone unrecognized for the role they play in the fabric of American society.
America's diverse history has been poorly represented and underfunded for generations. The Action Fund is about making room within our understanding of history, preservation and social justice, a movement that uses preservation as a force for positive social change.
By investing in and restoring cultural assets, and by partnering with organizations across the country, we work toward equity-driven outcomes that benefit all Americans.
We believe Black lives matter →Walk the full story.
Tryon, North CarolinaNina Simone's Childhood Home
Fully rehabilitated by the Action Fund.
Birmingham, AlabamaA.G. Gaston Motel
Headquarters of the 1963 Birmingham Campaign.
Houston, TexasEldorado Ballroom
A Third Ward landmark, glowing again.
Harlem, New YorkLangston Hughes House
A tour with Brent Leggs and Dr. Beverly Prince.
Detroit, MichiganDetroit Association of Women's Clubs
A conversation with Candace Calloway.
Atlanta, GeorgiaHerndon Home
Where HOPE Crew corpsmembers trained.
Farmville, VirginiaRobert Russa Moton High School
One of five communities behind Brown v. Board.
Chicago, IllinoisRoberts Temple
Its historic neon sign returned in September 2026.
$3 million.
27 places.
This year's grantees range from Bricklayers Hall in Montgomery, headquarters of the Montgomery Improvement Association during the Bus Boycott, to Camp Naco in Arizona, home to the Buffalo Soldiers. Together they represent Black American joy, resilience, innovation and activism.
Led by preservationists, guided by a national council.
Leaders in academia, the arts, business, government and preservation serve on the Action Fund's National Advisory Council.
Meet the council →
Tiffany Tolbert & Erica Smith-Goetz
Co-Directors, African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund
Brent Leggs
Founder of the Action Fund; President, National Trust for Historic Preservation
Made possible by
our funders.
Together we hope to inspire a new generation of social justice leaders and preservation practitioners, and a national identity that reflects the nation's true diversity.
Latest from the field
Tell the
full story.
Join the movement to protect and restore places where significant African American history happened.