The north carolina african american heritage commission will expand and strengthen interpretation and public engagement with african american music trails in north carolina

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources $222,429 on September 1, 2026, under the Museum Grants for African American History and Culture program (CFDA 45.309) to expand and strengthen interpretation and public engagement with African American music trails in North Carolina.

The recipient will support two interns, conduct community planning sessions to identify and add points of interest such as museums, historic sites, and parks to revitalize the existing trail, create digital content on the website, and develop family-oriented programming and K-12 curriculum content. Project outcomes include a redesigned traveling exhibition, expanded interpretive website content, new educational and family programming resources, new curriculum resources for schools, and a cultural heritage trail model that can be expanded statewide.

Performance is based in Raleigh, North Carolina, with a period of performance from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2028.

Project activities include supporting two interns, conducting community planning sessions, creating digital content on the website, developing family-oriented programming, and developing curriculum content for k-12 students. The project involves facilitator-led community engagement sessions to identify and add potential points of interest such as museums, historic sites, parks, and other venues to revitalize the existing trail. Project outcomes include a redesigned traveling exhibition, expanded interpretive website content, new educational and family programming resources, new curriculum resources for schools, and a cultural heritage trail model that can be expanded statewide.