Grants Further Exploration of Race and Culture

Prince George’s County Culture and Community Garners $16,000 in Award Funding

Two county organizations are a step closer toward the fulfilling their mission toward community.

Maryland Humanities utilizes funds received from the National Endowment for the Humanities to provide grants to nonprofit organizations that use the humanities (literature, philosophy, history, etc.) to inspire Marylanders to embrace lifelong learning, and enrich their communities. This year, Prince George’s County received $16,000 in grant funding to further explore race and cultural relations. The monies were allocated to the Accokeek Foundation and the Hyattsville Community Development Corporation.

Accokeek Foundation: Land and River Conversations: Exploring Race and Culture through Stories from the Earth (award amount: $6,000)

The Accokeek Foundation cultivates passion for the natural and cultural heritage of Piscataway Park and commitment to stewardship and sustainability.

The pier and dock at Piscataway Park.

Between October 2018 and January 2019, the foundation will host “Land and River Conversations: Exploring Race and Culture through Stories from the Earth,” programming that will consist of a three-part series of presentations by scholars and experts, each of which will be followed by Q&A and group discussions. The conversations will serve as public scoping workshops to engage interdisciplinary experts and advisers in dialogue with the public. They will cover complex topics such as: the interconnectedness of African American and Native American cultures; the ways that various groups have interacted with the land and river over time; and the history of landscape conservation in Piscataway Park and throughout the United States.

Hyattsville Community Development Corporation: Mapping Racism (award amount: $10,000)

In the 1920s and 1930s, land and property use restrictions that were known as restrictive deed covenants became commonplace in the sale of real estate as a means to further reinforce racial segregation. “Mapping Racism” will provide comprehensive identification, mapping, and archiving of race-based restrictive covenants in the Hyattsville community. Data gathered will be shared publicly through an online searchable property database, interactive mapping, and community presentations. Workshops will discuss the history of racially restrictive covenants in Hyattsville and their impact on the growth and development of Hyattsville and neighboring communities in Prince George’s County.

Hyattsville Community Development Corporation is dedicated to the revitalization and sustainable development of the Hyattsville community. Founded in the fall of 2000 by community activists, the mission is to develop arts, entertainment, and public spaces; spur economic development and the quality of community life; encourage widespread leadership for community revitalization; and to rebuild the City's commercial corridors.

 To learn more about our Grants Program, eligibility and upcoming deadlines, visit http://www.mdhumanities.org/grants.
 

The Hyattsville Community Development Corporation at work.