About us.
About the American Negro Heritage Foundation
The American Negro Heritage Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, documenting, and strengthening the historical identity, cultural legacy, and community continuity of American Negro descendants in the United States.
Our work is rooted in education, historical accuracy, and community stewardship. We believe that preserving history and strengthening identity contributes to stronger families, healthier communities, and a more complete understanding of American history.
Our Purpose
For generations, the American Negro experience has often been fragmented, misunderstood, or excluded from formal historical records. Families have lost access to stories, land history, and cultural continuity due to displacement, systemic barriers, and lack of documentation.
The Foundation exists to help restore what was interrupted by:
Encouraging responsible stewardship of community resources
Preserving historical memory
Supporting family and community documentation
Creating spaces for education and cultural reflection
Our Approach
We work through:
- Education, not ideology
- Collaboration, not confrontation
- Preservation, not division
Our programs are designed to be lawful, ethical, and inclusive, and we work in partnership with churches, community organizations, educators, elders, and local leaders.
Our Commitment
We are committed to:
Long-term stewardship over short-term gain
Historical integrity and accuracy
Respect for elders, families, and community voices
Transparency and accountability
OUR PROGRAMS
Our Programs
The American Negro Heritage Foundation operates community-focused programs designed to preserve history, support education, and strengthen cultural continuity.
01
Heritage Preservation & Education
This program focuses on preserving and sharing the historical experiences and contributions of American Negro communities.
Activities include:
- Educational materials and workshops
- Community presentations
- Historical research support
- Public awareness initiatives
Our goal is to ensure that history is documented accurately and shared responsibly.
02
Oral History & Memory Documentation
We work with individuals, families, and elders to preserve lived experiences and personal histories that may not exist in written records.
This includes:
- Family history interviews
- Elder testimony preservation
- Community storytelling projects
- Cultural memory archiving
These stories help future generations understand identity, resilience, and legacy.
03
Community Land & Space Stewardship
The Foundation supports responsible, short-term use of land and community spaces for educational and cultural purposes.
This program may support:
- Community gatherings
- Educational events
- Cultural observances
- Small, community-centered entrepreneurship
Land is treated as a shared community resource and stewarded responsibly.
04
Community Partnerships & Outreach
We partner with:
- Churches and faith-based organizations
- Local nonprofits
- Educators and cultural leaders
- Community groups
Together, we develop programs that support youth education, elder engagement, cultural pride, and community capacity.
05
Program Participation
Participation in programs is based on mission alignment, community benefit, and availability. Not all programs operate year-round.
06
Financial Planning
We will work with you to create a personalised plan to help you achieve your financial goals.
Donations & Support
If you would like to support our mission, please contact us for information about donations, volunteering, or community support opportunities
Melanie Moore
Founder & CEO
Pastor R. Shelton
Faith Program Coordinator
Leila Mendoza
Strategy Planning
Austin Walker
Programs Director