Grants TO DESCENDANTS
The projects supported by the OPI explore how communities remember, sustain, and reimagine Black places across generations.
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The Out(sider) Preservation Initiative (OPI) supports descendant-led efforts to commemorate, preserve, and activate Black places through research, grantmaking, education, and digital storytelling.
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OPI advances preservation through a community-centered model that places descendants and local stakeholders at the forefront of decision-making.
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Since its launch, OPI has awarded grants to 21 descendant-led projects representing diverse approaches to Black place preservation, memory, and migration. Grantees host commemorative events, create site-specific artworks, engage local communities, and steward culturally significant and sacred places. Together, these projects demonstrate how Black places are remembered, sustained, and reimagined across generations.
AT a GLANCE
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Descendent-Led Projects Funded
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Invested in Grantee Projects
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California • Texas • Louisiana • Tennessee • South Carolina • North Carolina • Virginia • Maryland • Nova Scotia (Canada)
Rooted in Place
Film By: Jona Alexander
2026 Grantees
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Almagro Rescource Center
DANVILLE, VA
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![The Country House Project]()
The Country House Project
ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VA
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Garcitas Community Preservation Project
GULF COAST, TX
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Jonesville Community Connect
WAKE COUNTY, NC
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Juke Joint at The Crossroads
SAN MARCOS, TX
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Popsie & Vivian's Lowlands
Description goes here -
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Virtual Family & Friends Genealogy Group
TEXAS, LOUISIANA, CALIFORNIA
ALUMNI
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a.l.t ^home (California)
LOS ANGELES, CA
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Bastrop County African American Cultural Center and Freedom Colonies Museum
BASTROP, TX
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Barrett Peake Heritage Foundation
HAMPTON, VA
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Barrett Peake Heritage Foundation
Description goes here -
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Change Makers
EL CENTRO, CA
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Friends of Dunbar Schoolhouse
Description goes here -
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Kreating Opportunities for Inclusive Living and Supplication, Inc.
ZACHARY, LA
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Leon County Historical Society
PLEASANT SPRINGS, TX
RICHMOND, CA -
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Outreach Productions
AUSTIN, TX
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PECAN PROJECT
EAST TEXAS
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PECAN PROJECT
EAST TEXAS
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New List Item
Description goes here -
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Vision Collective
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
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Weymouth Falls Community Land Trust
NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA
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Southern Android
HOUSTON, TX
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![From Web !!]()
SOUTHERN ANDROID
Description goes here
Alumni
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Bastrop County African American Cultural Center and Freedom Colonies Museum
BASTROP, TX
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Bastrop County African American Cultural Center and Freedom Colonies Museum
BASTROP, CA
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Dunbar Schoolhouse
EAST TEXAS
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Șawari Tours
HOUSTON, TX
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Southern Android
HOUSTON, TX
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Vision Collective
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
OPI GRANT PROGRAM
Collectively, the projects explore how communities remember, sustain, and reimagine Black places across generations. Through place-based projects and community engagement, grantees are strengthening relationships between people, place, and history while contributing to a growing network of community-centered preservation efforts.