About Us
Preserving the Legacy. Telling Our Story.
The African American Heritage Foundation of Southeastern North Carolina (AAHFSNC) is dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and sharing the rich and multi-faceted history of African Americans in our region and across the African Diaspora.
Through education, cultural engagement, and the development of the African American Heritage Museum of Southeastern North Carolina, we are building a lasting legacy—one that honors the past, informs the present, and inspires the future.
Our Vision
The African American Heritage Foundation of Southeastern North Carolina and its principal component, the African American Heritage Museum of Southeastern North Carolina, strive to serve as a premier cultural and educational organization.
Our vision is to preserve and tell the multi-faceted story of the African American experience in Southeastern North Carolina as a vital and unique part of North Carolina history and the broader African Diasporic heritage.
Through this work, we seek to instill a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the role of African Americans in shaping our region and our nation.
Our Mission
The African American Heritage Foundation of Southeastern North Carolina is committed to telling the African American story within North Carolina and throughout the African Diaspora.
As part of this mission, we are developing a museum that will serve as a repository for artifacts, documents, and memorabilia—creating a space where history is preserved, explored, and experienced.
The museum will host traveling exhibitions and provide a center for education, cultural enrichment, and community engagement for people of all ages. Through this work, we are dedicated to retelling the stories that have shaped our community’s rich heritage.
Our Values
Our work is guided by principles that reflect our commitment to people, truth, and community:
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We believe in the dignity and worth of all people
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We believe honesty and respect must guide everything we do
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We believe education is the foundation of freedom and democracy
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We believe that understanding African American heritage strengthens relationships across diverse communities
Our Goals
The African American Heritage Foundation of Southeastern North Carolina is committed to:
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Honoring the centuries of experiences of people of African origin in the Americas
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Preserving and presenting the life, culture, and defining moments of the African American experience
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Highlighting significant events and individuals who shaped regional and American history
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Promoting collaboration with organizations and institutions locally and globally
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Interpreting and sharing African American history through education, storytelling, and cultural programming
Our Story
The African American Heritage Foundation of Southeastern North Carolina was incorporated on February 25, 2004.
During its early development, the Southeastern Alliance for Community Change served as a fiscal sponsor as the organization worked to obtain its 501(c)(3) charitable status. An interim Board of Directors was established, laying the foundation for the organization’s leadership and future growth.
Since its founding, AAHFSNC has remained committed to engaging the community through meaningful programs and events. Early initiatives included community gatherings, educational programs, and cultural celebrations that introduced the Foundation’s vision and mission to the region.
Over the years, the Foundation has continued to grow its impact—hosting events such as Voices of Change in African American Life, the Historic African American Church Tour, and commemorative programs honoring the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Today, AAHFSNC continues to move forward with purpose—working to preserve history, uplift community, and build a permanent space where these stories can be shared for generations to come.
Our Guiding Pillars
Our work is grounded in four core pillars that shape how we preserve history, serve our community, and inspire the future:
Preserve
Safeguarding artifacts, stories, and cultural heritage
Preservation is at the heart of our work. We are committed to protecting the physical and living history of African Americans in Southeastern North Carolina—ensuring that the stories, artifacts, and cultural traditions that shaped our communities are not lost to time.
From historical documents and photographs to sacred spaces and family legacies, we serve as stewards of a rich and powerful heritage. Through careful collection, conservation, and storytelling, we honor those who came before us and ensure their contributions remain visible, valued, and remembered for generations to come.
Educate
Providing learning experiences for all generations
Education is how history lives on. We create meaningful opportunities for people of all ages to learn, explore, and engage with African American history and culture in ways that are both informative and inspiring.
Through exhibitions, programs, workshops, and community partnerships, we bring history to life—connecting the past to the present. Our goal is to empower individuals with knowledge, deepen understanding, and spark conversations that build awareness, pride, and cultural appreciation across generations.
Engage
Connecting communities through shared history
Engagement is about bringing people together. We believe that shared history has the power to unite, heal, and strengthen communities. Through cultural events, public programs, and collaborative initiatives, we create spaces where people can gather, reflect, and celebrate.
Whether through Juneteenth celebrations, heritage tours, or community storytelling, we foster connections that honor our collective journey and encourage meaningful dialogue. Our work invites everyone to take part in the story and become active participants in preserving and sharing it.
Engagement is about bringing people together. We believe that shared history has the power to unite, heal, and strengthen communities. Through cultural events, public programs, and collaborative initiatives, we create spaces where people can gather, reflect, and celebrate.
Whether through Juneteenth celebrations, heritage tours, or community storytelling, we foster connections that honor our collective journey and encourage meaningful dialogue. Our work invites everyone to take part in the story and become active participants in preserving and sharing it.
Inspire
Empowering future leaders through legacy
Inspiration is what carries our legacy forward. By sharing the stories of resilience, achievement, and cultural strength, we aim to ignite purpose and possibility in future generations.
We believe that when people understand where they come from, they are better equipped to shape where they are going. Through mentorship, storytelling, and representation, we uplift voices and experiences that encourage leadership, creativity, and pride. Our mission is not only to remember history—but to inspire those who will continue to make it.
First Board of Directors Meeting, June 2, 2004. An interim Board of Directors was established, laying the foundation for the organization’s leadership and future growth.
On June 24, 2005, the Board accepted a grant from the N. C. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission. From left to right: Glancy Thomas, Elsie Ozaka, Sandra Hughes, Dr. G.I. Allison, Hollis Briggs, and John Battle.
Judge Faison addresses attendees to the African American Heritage Foundation fundraiser breakfast, held at City Club on August 26, 2004. The breakfast introduced the Foundation to the community.