Restoring Black Spaces. Honoring Black Stories.
We preserve, document, and advocate for the cultural legacy of Black communities in Northwest Arkansas—past, present, and future.
There’s work to do, but first, come hear the stories.
Every street, school, and sacred space holds pieces of Black legacy in Northwest Arkansas.
We’re here to preserve them, elevate them, and keep the movement going.
This isn’t a museum. It’s a living history.
Welcome to NWA Black Heritage, where we are dedicated to preserving, documenting, and promoting the rich heritage and culture of Black communities in Northwest Arkansas.
Our mission is rooted in community-led storytelling, site recovery, advocacy, and education. We work to restore erased histories and reclaim historic Black spaces while honoring the people who built them and ensuring their stories help shape the region’s future.
Change doesn’t happen overnight. It takes dedication, hard work, and collaboration. At NWA Black Heritage, we focus on the often overlooked and intentionally suppressed contributions and experiences of Black individuals in Northwest Arkansas.
Black Presence. Welcomed. Celebrated.
In Northwest Arkansas, Black life has always been present. But much of that presence was left off the map. Schools were shuttered. Homes were marked as blight. Entire neighborhoods disappeared without record or recognition.
Across the country, communities are beginning to reckon with this loss. But memory alone won’t protect what remains.
Now is the time to reclaim Black spaces, preserve untold stories, and build a future that honors the people who made this region home. Not with monuments, but with movement.
Why This Work Can’t Wait
We’re moving forward with purpose, rooted in equity. From local policy shifts to cultural pride, our work centers on healing, education, and Black-led progress. We’re creating justice one step at a time.
Building for Tomorrow
Creating a Roadmap to Pride for the NWA Black Community
We’re uncovering stories, protecting sacred ground, and celebrating the people who shaped Northwest Arkansas. Through oral histories, school records, cemeteries, and community archives, we’re keeping memory alive.
Honoring Our Past
Regional Collection of Historical Artifacts, Projects & RESOURCES
Current Initiatives Shaping Our Future
Our goal is to recover and restore the last remaining historic Black community in Fayetteville and all of Northwest Arkansas.
Preservation and Restoration
We engage youth and adults, and collaborate with various organizations to preserve and promote Black heritage and culture in NWA.
Community Engagement and Education
We partner with organizations to research and document Black heritage, including oral histories, from pre-and post-Civil War NWA.
Research and Documentation
Our Core Values
Join us in the fight against systemic racism and inequality in Northwest Arkansas. Together, we can make a difference. If you're interested in becoming a volunteer, sign up below.
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