Queen Anne’s County Commissioners have pledged $50,000 in funding for each of the next three years to Kennard African American Cultural Heritage Center (KAACHC), while building upon the $140,000 they received from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, to support the hiring of an Executive Director to manage their programs and operations. The first installment of the county’s pledge, a $50,000 check, was presented to Clay Washington, President of the Kennard Alumni Association Board of Directors, on Saturday, November 9, at the Kennard Gala Luncheon and Raffle event. The check was presented by County Commissioners Jim Moran and Chris Corchiarino.
“We are incredibly proud of the work the Kennard Alumni Association has done to preserve and celebrate African American heritage in Queen Anne’s County,” said Commissioner Jim Moran. “The Kennard Center has grown into a vital resource for our community, providing educational and cultural opportunities that truly make a difference. We are excited to continue supporting their mission and to see how this new funding will help expand their programs even further. The County Commissioners are committed to ensuring the success of the Kennard Center and look forward to partnering with them for many years to come.”
The county assisted the Kennard Alumni Association in applying for and securing a $140,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund.
The KAACHC is one of only 30 sites nationwide to receive funding from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, which awarded a total of $3 million to historic sites representing Black cultural heritage. KAACHC has become a hub for African American history programs, exhibits, and community events in Queen Anne’s County. With more than $140 million raised to date, the Action Fund is the largest U.S. resource dedicated to preserving African American historic places.
Since its establishment, KAACHC has played a vital role in providing educational and cultural learning opportunities, in Queen Anne’s County. The center offers a variety of programs, including after-school mentoring, exercise classes, and summer camps for youth with special needs. With the hiring of a dedicated Executive Director, the center plans to expand its offerings to include adult literacy, STEM education, cultural arts, and more.
The Kennard Center is poised to become an even greater asset to Queen Anne’s County, fostering connections within the community and preserving African American heritage for future generations. Queen Anne’s County Commissioners look forward to continuing their partnership with The Kennard Alumni Association and other stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of its mission.
For more information about the Kennard African American Cultural Heritage Center and how you can get involved, visit https://kennardheritage.com/