BLACK HERITAGE COUNCIL

In 1984, the Alabama Historical Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, created the Black Heritage Council (BHC) to advocate for and advise the Commission on the preservation of African-American historic places in Alabama. At the time of its founding, the BHC was the first African-American advisory council of a state historic preservation office created in the country. In fact, the first members of the Black Heritage Council, including the Chair Emeritus and Founding Member Louretta Wimberly, assisted other states with setting up similar advisory councils.

The primary mission of the Black Heritage Council is to advocate for the preservation of African-American historic places in Alabama. It is the only statewide organization whose sole mission is the preservation of African-American Historic Places. The BHC includes a 21 all-volunteer board which consists of members throughout the state and representing public and educational institutions. The Council has played a key role in assisting communities throughout the state to document, interpret, preserve and promote African-American historic places like the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, the Town of Hobson City, First Baptist Church in Selma and many others.



PRESERVATION PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES

The Black Heritage Council hosts quarterly meetings that are open to the public; partners with communities to sponsor preservation forums; co-sponsors Alabama's historic preservation conference; assists groups and individuals with the documentation and preservation of individual historic African American properties or historic districts.

If you have questions about upcoming preservation programs and activities sponsored by the Black Heritage Council, please contact Theo Moore at 334-230-2691 or blackheritagecouncil@ahc.alabama.gov.

 

Black Heritage Council Chair and Member At-Large Lateefah Muhammad, Esq. is with former Macon County Revenue Commissioner Ed Corbitt (l) and Alabama Senator Billy Beasley, D-District 28. They were attending the Tuskegee Polio Statue Unveiling Ceremony held on the campus of Tuskegee University on Thursday, August 4, 2022.

Photo credit: Lateefah Muhammad, Esq. All Rights Reserved.

BHC Chair and Member At-Large Lateefah Muhammad, Esq. stands next to the Tuskegee Polio Statue on the campus of Tuskegee University on Thursday, August 4, 2022.

Photo credit: Lateefah Muhammad, Esq. All Rights Reserved.

Tuskegee Institute Infantile Paralysis Center Statue at Tuskegee University in front of the former Infantile Paralysis Center on the historic campus in Alabama.

Photo credit: Lateefah Muhammad, Esq. All Rights Reserved.

This smaller monument sits in front of the Tuskegee Polio Statue, recognizing entities and persons involved in making the statue a reality. It was also unveiled during the ceremony held on the campus of Tuskegee University on Thursday, August 4, 2022.

Photo credit: Lateefah Muhammad, Esq. All Rights Reserved.


HISTORICAL MARKER PROGRAM

The Black Heritage Council sponsors historical markers and plaques commemorating Alabama's African American historical sites at least 40 years old. If an applicant has a place of interest with African American historical significance and would like the Black Heritage Councils' seal on the marker, please review and complete the fact sheet and the application below.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

If you did not find your questions addressed here, please contact us.

HOW TO CONTACT THE BLACK HERITAGE COUNCIL

All citizens are encouraged to join the Black Heritage Council network which is free and open to everyone. Please email your name, mailing address, and phone number.

Council board membership is by appointment only. If you would like to complete a membership form to be considered by the nominating committee, please email your contact information and resume to blackheritagecouncil@ahc.alabama.gov.

AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE SITES

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