400 Years of African American History Commission

The 400 Years of African-American History Commission develops and facilitates activities throughout the United States, commemorating the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Africans in the English colonies at Point Comfort, Virginia in 1619. We recognize and highlight the resilience and contributions of African Americans from that seminal moment forward, while simultaneously acknowledging the painful impact of slavery, racial discrimination, and racism on our Nation.

Join the 400 Years of African American History Commission, The Faith and Justice Advisory Committee on April 28^th at the Potter’s House of Fort Worth for the third annual National Returning Citizens Conference. A day of engaging discussions, a powerful keynote address, and plenary sessions addressing life after incarceration, this year’s conference is hosted by the Texas Offenders Reentry Initiative (TORI).

To register, click here!

Revitalizing America's Historic All Black Towns Episode 4: Monday, April 10, 2023

African Americans created dozens of all-Black towns after the Civil War as oases of opportunity and lands of liberty that offered a perceived escape from entrenched southern racism, available land for economic exploitation, and an opportunity to demonstrate Black excellence. This four-part series looks at their rich history and explores ways to protect, preserve, and promote what remains. This episode pivots to reparations – how to repair damage down to the Black towns and Black people generally from the historical racial trauma that is our legacy, despite moments of pride, passion, and productivity. Guest participants include Oklahoma State Senator Kevin Matthews, N.Y. Nathiri from The Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community in Florida, and Ahmad Ward from the Mitchelville Preservation Project in South Carolina. Series creator and 400 Commission member Hannibal B. Johnson will moderate the discussion.

From Non-violence to No Violence

This short documentary film is about the Pen or Pencil program in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, which is a mentoring program that teaches young people about their history, which in turn empowers them to realize their worth and ultimately reduces violence amongst each other and emphasizes the importance of their education.

Justice Sunday 2023

The theme of 2023’s Justice Sunday: Service Around the Clock is “A Charge to Keep – We Have to Serve This Present Age.” Following the general themes History, Faith, Music, Inspiration, and Call to Action, each hour will feature a diverse and distinguished lineup of Congressional, national, local, faith, service organizations and performing adult and youth leaders versed in public service to continue the tradition of the commemorative MLK weekend. The program streamed here on January 15, 2023. Click the image to see the entire program on demand!

Aberdeen Gardens 158: Built By Us For Us

Aberdeen Gardens 158: Built By Us For Us is a film produced by the Aberdeen Garden Foundation with support of a grant from the 400 Years of African American History Commission. The community was designed and built in 1935 by African Americans as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal Settlement. The neighborhood was established to provide African American shipping workers with modern homes in which to live and garden for sustenance. Many felt it would not succeed; however, it still stands today as a monument to resilience.

New Episode of The 400 Hour

This episode previews Justice Sunday: Service Around the Clock, hosted by acclaimed actor/producer Ernie Hudson and featuring award-winning African American icons from music, advocacy, and politics. We also introduce the film “Aberdeen Gardens 158: Built By Us For Us,” funded by a 400 grant, and give you a taste of Atlanta’s incredible Apex Museum. Finally, we celebrate the 400’s award from the National Black Caucus of State Legislators as a 2022 National Nation Builder, along with Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Melanie Cambell (President and CEO of the National Black Coalition of Black Civic Participation), and Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness.

Films from the 400

Taped on location at the Frederick Douglass National Historic site in Washington DC, “History Matters, Episode 3: STEMulating History and the Future” connects the journey of Freedom seekers who escaped enslavement and used the stars to navigate their path to freedom with the journey of those whose pursuits led them to careers that undoubtedly surpassed the dreams of those early freedom seekers.

Writing a New History Grants

Grant funding reports due 9/15/2022 for the Writing a New History project! These grants encouraged activities to expand understanding and appreciation of the recognition of African American history. The image shown here, a marker discussing the origins of Freedman’s Town in Texas, is of one of the many topics engaged by these projects funded by the 400 Commission.

The 400 is committed to highlighting the contributions made by African Americans throughout history and today in medicine, the arts, politics, sports, science, and business. Our films and social media bring out stories you might not know, even about names you might recognize. Follow us @400YAAHC!

Our programs range from virtual celebrations, to conferences, to focus groups and discussions about issues facing the African American community. From Juneteenth to Justice Sunday, we’ve got you covered with fascinating programs that’ll keep you coming back.

A major contribution from the 400 is the ability to recognize leaders in the community, and we do that both through our 400 Distinguished awards and our grant programs with partners like the National Alliance of Faith and Justice and the National Park Service.

Watch the documentary film about I Fear 4 My Life, a campaign from the 400 Commission that looks at what can be done to remove fear from both community and law enforcement.

Check out “Stories to Tell,” a new project supported by the 400 through the Writing a New History grants!

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