The Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center (former site of Lakeview School) is proud to announce that it has been selected as a recipient of a grant award from the Association of African American Museums (AAAM) through the AAAM x AACRN Grant Program.

The $25,000 grant, made possible through a cooperative agreement between the Association of African American Museums and the National Park Service’s African American Civil Rights Network (AACRN), will support professional historian research services to document oral testimonies related to Lakeview School. The project will also include historical research and the installation of pedestal display cases to present documents, artifacts, and materials highlighting civil rights history, particularly related to state equalization schools.

“We are honored to receive this grant from the Association of African American Museums in partnership with the National Park Service’s African American Civil Rights Network,” said Dr. Cindye Richburg Cotton, Executive Director and Principal Investigator for the grant. “This funding will allow us to document, research, and preserve significant African American cultural history and educate the public about the contributions of African Americans to the Civil Rights Movement.”

The AAAM x AACRN Grant Program awarded a total of $461,368 to 19 projects nationwide, each contributing to the preservation and celebration of African American history and culture.
These projects exemplify a strong commitment to advancing the narrative of African American contributions to civil rights and social justice movements.

“We are proud to support initiatives that elevate the voices and experiences of African Americans in the ongoing pursuit of equality,” said Dr. Vedet Coleman-Robinson, President and CEO of the Association of African American Museums. “Through this partnership with the National Park Service, we are ensuring that resources reach organizations equipped to preserve and interpret African American cultural heritage, particularly Civil Rights history. Together, we are investing in the stewardship of this history for future generations.”

The Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center is excited to contribute to this national effort and looks forward to making a meaningful impact through this grant.

For more information about this project, please contact Dr. Cindye Richburg Cotton at 803-747- 3519 or via email at [email protected].

About the Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center (BLEC)
The mission of the Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center is to engage and serve people of all ages and backgrounds while promoting advancements in health, education, and economic empowerment, and improving the lives of residents in Lexington and Richland Counties, as well as neighboring communities throughout the Midlands of South Carolina.
BLEC is located at the site of the former Lakeview School, a historic state equalization school recognized by a state historical marker, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and designated as a member of the African American Civil Rights Network (AACRN).