
The National Park Service can help bring attention to and broaden the understanding of African American history in the United States/NPS file
America’s history is as complex as it is beautiful—a kaleidoscope of triumphs, trials, terrors and truths. Yet, for far too long, our national storytelling has left out critical threads, particularly those woven by Black Americans, whose stories of resilience, ingenuity, and struggle are integral to the fabric of this nation.
The National Park Service (NPS) has made strides in broadening the lens of African American history, but many Black narratives still linger in the shadows—half-told or sanitized to avoid discomfort. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States and honor Black History Month, we must ask: how can the NPS ensure these vital stories are not just told, but celebrated?
With a federal shift toward more homogenous thinking, there’s an underlying current to disempower and discourage the NPS to embrace the full spectrum of America’s past—including its painful truths. To stave off the harmful effects of this new paradigm, NPS needs bold partnerships, creative approaches, and unwavering support in elevating narratives that have long been suppressed.
To truly preserve Black culture in America’s parks and historical sites, the NPS must work in tandem with Friends Groups and community organizations. Here are six ways we can foster these critical collaborations to ensure the stories of Black Americans are not only preserved but brought to life for future generations.
1. Unlocking Resources for Restoration and Awareness
- Collaborations with philanthropic organizations, local and state agencies, and historical societies can provide the funding, expertise, and visibility necessary to restore and maintain Black historical national park sites.
- Thought partners, such as universities or research institutions, can contribute rigorous scholarship to uncover untold stories, develop interpretive materials, and authenticate historical details.
2. Elevating Marginalized Stories
- Working with African American community leaders, cultural institutions, and descendants of impacted individuals ensures that revitalization efforts reflect authentic narratives rather than tokenized or oversimplified histories.
- Partnerships with Black-led organizations ensure that the cultural context and lived experiences of African Americans remain at the forefront of the revitalization process.
3. Increasing Public Engagement
- Collaborating with media outlets, tourism boards, and educational platforms helps amplify awareness and engagement with African American historical sites, encouraging visitors to learn about this group’s history in a meaningful way.
- Thought leaders in the fields of public history and environmental justice can design programs that link the preservation of Black historical narratives with broader themes like sustainability and cultural integration.
4. Building Economic and Community Benefits
- Partnerships with local governments, businesses, and Black entrepreneurs can create sustainable economic opportunities tied to revitalized parks, including tourism, education, and community-based initiatives.
- Revitalized sites can serve as economic anchors for surrounding areas, helping to rebuild generational wealth for Black communities.
5. Securing Policy and Legislative Support
- Partnering with policy advocacy organizations and elected officials ensures that the revitalization of Black historical sites is backed by funding, legal protections, and long-term commitments.
- Engaging diverse stakeholders in public-private partnerships can foster bipartisan support for investment in Black historical preservation.
6. Creating a Legacy of Equity and Inclusion
- Collaborations with artists, educators, and cultural ambassadors can infuse revitalized sites with programming that inspires future generations to connect with and continue the legacy of African American history.
Where are Robust Collaborations Happening with the National Park Service?
A great example of partner collaboration and the historic preservation of African American history is the story of Blacks in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. This project is currently mapping African American cultural sites along the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The work is being spearheaded by NPS’ Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network in partnership with the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Community Conservation Partnerships Program, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund.
This strategic alliance identifies sites and landscapes that are relevant to African American history and culture as the Bay is a substantial, cultural site to African American people. According to National Parks Traveler, “Many major tobacco plantations were located there [Chesapeake Bay], as were many stops on the Underground Railroad. It was the place where Harriet Tubman and both Frederick Douglass and his first wife were enslaved.”
Another noteworthy example of collaborating to preserve critical African American history is the designated multi-state, national monument dedicated to Emmett Till and Mamie Till Mobley. In 2023, the Biden Administration designated Graball Landing, the Tallahatchie County Courthouse, and Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ, as national historic sites regarding the story of the untimely death of Emmett Till.
The work is being led by the Emmett Till Interpretive Center in partnership with the National Trust’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, Emmett Till and Mamie Till Mobley Institute, Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ, the National Parks Conservation Association and the Mellon Foundation.
Since the inception of the partnership, nearly $750,000 was raised to stabilize the church building and conduct real estate due diligence for the national monument designation, expand programming and paid staff at the Interpretive Center in Sumner, Mississippi as well as the Till Mobley House in Chicago.
The collaboration will also seek to confirm other additions to this public/private partnership regarding the management and interpretation of the sites that highlight the story of Emmett Tills.
A Call to Action
We are on the heels of a big, national anniversary and it will be essential that citizens with a disenfranchised history feel connected to the complete story of America. Therefore, revitalizing Black historical narratives in national parks requires more than just funding—it demands a coalition of advocates dedicated to repairing historical injustices. Strategic collaborations and thought partners can transform these spaces into living monuments that honor the resilience, creativity, and contributions of African Americans. By working together, we can ensure that these sites become places of learning, reflection, and empowerment for generations to come. Wouldn’t that make for a better celebration for America? I think so.
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Chrystal Morris Murphy has over 20 years of experience creating strategic collaborations, alliances and coalitions for social sector nonprofits – especially those representing the outdoors and national park sites. She is the Founder and Principal of Onyx Strategies Group, a nonprofit consulting firm providing strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and nonprofit board development. Prior to Onyx, she served as SVP of Community Partnerships of the National Park Foundation and VP of Engagement at America’s Promise Alliance, a nonprofit founded by General Colin Powell to help improve the lives of American children.