Project 365 intends to record the history of six African American communities in Arkansas

Little Rock, Arkansas – This past weekend, the general public gained a better understanding of the history of African American communities in south central Arkansas.

Six African American communities in Pulaski County have been the subject of a year-long investigation called Project 365.

They are College Station, Hensley, Woodson, Wrightsville, Higgins, and Sweet Home.

The graves and face-to-face interactions with individuals, according to the organizers, are where you can find the stories of the family that established such locations.

“We’d just like the community and people in the community to be aware that we want to be able to write our history and share it with people for generations to come,” Tamela Tenpenny-Lewis from the group Preservation for African American Cemeteries said. “So please be open-minded about sharing it with us.”

With the aid of a grant from the Arkansas Humanities Council, Project 365 was developed.

Via their Black Heritage and Culture Fund, the Arkansas Humanities Council funded Project 365 for the Preservation of African American Cemetery. In order to advance knowledge of and enthusiasm for the humanities in Arkansas, which also includes the celebration of many histories and cultures, the Arkansas Humanities Council has as one of its goals.

Nonprofit organizations who seek to investigate, record, preserve and explain Arkansas’ African American history and culture can apply for Black History and Culture Grants at any time of the year. Visit the Arkansas Humanities Council at www.arkansashumanitiescouncil.org to find out more about the grants.