ABOUT AAHA! VIRGINIA
The African American Heritage Association of Virginia (AAHA! Virginia) was founded in 2018 with a clear mission: to preserve and elevate African American heritage across the Commonwealth while empowering the communities where these stories live. We work at the intersection of heritage preservation, community equity, and sustainable development, creating meaningful impact through collaborative action.
Our approach is simple yet profound: we connect people to places, stories to communities, and past to present. Through our heritage trail network, we’ve documented and connected over 300+ African American heritage sites across Virginia, transforming how residents and visitors experience and understand our shared history. From Richmond’s Jackson Ward to Hampton Roads’ Freedom Fortress, from historic HBCUs to lesser-known community landmarks, we’re ensuring these stories are preserved, celebrated, and accessible to all.
We believe heritage preservation isn’t just about looking backward—it’s about building forward. Through our Culture, Health, Education, and Wealth Equity (CHEW) framework, we work with communities, tourism partners, educational institutions, businesses, and cultural organizations to create sustainable futures rooted in heritage. Every trail we create, every story we document, every partnership we build contributes to our vision: Remembering the Past, Drive Community Equity, and Build Generational Wealth to Sustain Cultural Stewards.
Whether you’re a community member exploring your family’s heritage, an educator seeking authentic learning experiences, a tourism professional interested in collaboration, or an organization committed to meaningful community impact, AAHA! Virginia welcomes you to walk in their footsteps with us.
Heritage Sites Connected
Stories Documented
Year Founded
Community Members Engaged
Creating Meaningful Impact
Since 2018, AAHA! Virginia has grown from a grassroots documentation project into a comprehensive heritage preservation network that spans the Commonwealth. Our impact extends beyond site preservation—we’re creating economic opportunities in heritage communities, providing educational resources for students and educators, supporting Black-owned businesses through heritage tourism, and building partnerships that amplify our collective capacity.
We’ve connected 218 African American heritage sites, documented over 200 community stories, hosted signature events that bring thousands together in celebration and remembrance, and created educational programs that serve students from elementary through university levels. Our monthly community forums bring together diverse stakeholders—community members, tourism professionals, educators, business owners, and cultural organizations—all working toward shared goals of preservation and community empowerment.
But perhaps our most important impact is intangible: we’re changing how Virginians and visitors understand and experience African American heritage. We’re making history accessible, relevant, and actionable. We’re ensuring that the next generation inherits not just preserved sites, but sustained communities and empowered cultural stewards.
Remembering the Past, Drive Community Equity, and Building Generational Wealth to Sustain Cultural Stewards
Main: (255) 352-6258
Email: info@aahava.org
Richmond Office
1706 Floyd Avenue, Suite C Richmond, Virginia 23220