From Historic Sites that preserve the legacies of the Tuskegee Airmen and Frontiersmen at Nicodemus, to ones that tell the stories of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mary McLeod Bethune and George Washington Carver, our National Parks are rich with African American history and more!

Our mission at The African American Experience Fund is to connect all Americans to the considerable contributions of African Americans throughout our country's history that are commemorated and brought to life in our National Parks.  Since 2001, we have raised private funds to support educational, volunteer and community engagement programs in the National Parks and Historic Sites that honor and tell the story of the African American Experience. 

Building Common Ground Grant Program

Congratulations to AAEF “Building Common Ground” Grant Recipients - Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, Little Rock Central High School, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, Nicodemus National Historic Site and Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site. Click here for more information.

By visiting these sites and supporting The African American Experience Fund, you ensure future generations will be able to experience some of America’s most magnificent cultural treasures and learn about our diverse American history. 
 

What's New at AAEF

AAEF 2012 Symposium & Awards Gala:

Save the Date! Join AAEF Trustees and restaurateur and lifestyle icon B. Smith (AAEF national spokesperson) on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 for a Women's History Month Symposium and AAEF's Annual Awards Gala, in Washington, DC.

The Symposium: “Women of Excellence: The Power of the Past and the Power of their Paths,” a powerful forum to help connect history with our contemporary experiences and to help inspire, educate and empower women and youth particularly, and all attendees, to pursue their paths to excellence; 8am - 12:30 pm; Cannon Caucus Room, Cannon House Office Building (Capitol Hill). View fact sheet here.

Annual Awards Gala:

“Celebrating Legacies: African American Women from Civil War to Civil Rights to Today; the power of the past and the power of their paths,” with a live performance by jazz legends, “Pieces of a Dream;” 6:00 pm reception; 7:00 pm dinner & program; the Willard Hotel, Washington, DC. Visit here for details, tickets or sponsors info or contact Lydia Sermons at 202-354-6489 or LSermons@nationalparks.org

Support a Student through AAEF’s New Student Internship Scholarship Grants Program. View details




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Help The African American Experience Fund

 
 
See video to experience the history, impact and importance of these national treasures.
 
 

America's Best Idea: 
The history of the people and passions behind our national parks premiered Sept. 27, 2009 on PBS. Click here to learn more about the Ken Burns Documentary.

   

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