Maryland’s African American Heritage Preservation Program gets New Name and New Funding

$250,000 available for funding non-capital projects through the newly named Speaker Adrienne A. Jones African American Heritage Preservation Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026

Contact

Kristin Fleckenstein

CROWNSVILLE, MD – The Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture (MCAAHC) and the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) are pleased to announce that as of October 1, the African American Heritage Preservation Program will officially become the Speaker Adrienne A. Jones African American Heritage Preservation Program, in honor of the groundbreaking delegate from Baltimore County.

In her last year as speaker, Adrienne A. Jones introduced House Bill 1010, which created a non-capital grant under the African American Heritage Preservation Program. This legislation, which was signed into law by Governor Moore in May of 2025, responds to overwhelming constituent feedback for additional funding to support organizational capacity, education, and interpretation of African American history and culture in Maryland. Administered jointly by MCAAHC and MHT, the goal of this non-capital grant program is to invest in the staffing, planning, and programming of Maryland’s African American heritage sites.

With $250,000 allocated for its first round in fiscal year 2027, applications will open on October 1st and close on November 20, 2026. Grantees will be notified in March 2027. MHT and MCAAHC encourage interested organizations to visit the program webpage and watch the upcoming webinar to learn more about the grant program.

Full details can be found on the new program webpage at bit.ly/AAHPP-MHT or contact MCAAHC Research Specialist Alexandria Anderson at alexandria.anderson@maryland.gov or MHT Capital Programs Administrator Stacy Montgomery at [email protected].

The Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture is committed to discovering, documenting, preserving, collecting, and promoting Maryland’s African American heritage. The Commission also provides technical assistance to institutions and groups with similar objectives. Through the accomplishment of this mission, the MCAAHC seeks to educate Maryland citizens and visitors about the significance and impact of the African American experience in Maryland.

The Maryland Historical Trust is a state agency dedicated to preserving and interpreting the legacy of Maryland’s past. Through research, conservation and education, MHT assists the people of Maryland in understanding their historical and cultural heritage. Part of the Maryland Department of Planning, MHT serves as Maryland’s State Historic Preservation Office pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.

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