Formed in 1984 by the Alabama Historical Commission, the Black Heritage Council (BHC) is the only statewide organization that promotes the preservation and awareness of African American historic places, associated artifacts and culture.  

 

The Council:

• quarterly meetings are open to the public

• sponsors an annual preservation forum

• co-sponsors Alabama's annual historic preservation conference

• publishes the Preservation Advocate newsletter

• assists groups and individuals with preservation of African American historic resources

The Preservation Advocate newsletter is available online: Spring 2007, Fall 2006

If you would like to sign up to receive the Preservation Advocate by email, please send your email address to dorothy.walker@preserveala.org.

You will need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the newsletter at no cost to you.  

                                                   

Frequently Asked Questions
      
What can the Black Heritage Council do to help protect and preserve sites?
         
The BHC works to inform citizens of the need to preserve historic landmarks, history, and culture. This is achieved primarily through a series of educational workshops and an annual preservation forum. Three times a year the council publishes the Preservation Advocate, an informational newsletter. The council works closely with the Alabama Historical Commission to raise citizen awareness of available resources and grant opportunities.  

How can I contact the Black Heritage Council member in my area?

Composed of 19 members, the council consists of a representative from each of the state's seven congressional districts, two from Alabama's historically black colleges, three from state public institutions, six at-large members, and one ex-officio AHC member.  

Chair

Ms. Frazine Taylor

P.O. Box 300100

Montgomery, AL 36130-0100

334/353-4673 

fax: 334/240-3433 

frazine.taylor@archives.alabama.gov

Vice-Chair

Mrs. Ruthie Pitts

1972 St. Johns Court

Auburn, AL 36830-6969

205/246-6775

ruthiepitts@gmail.com

Congressional District 1 Representative

Rep. Joseph Mitchell

465 Dexter Avenue

Mobile, AL 36604

251/473-5020

repjcm103@yahoo.com

Congressional District 2 Representative

Mrs. Sangernetta Gilbert Bush

2018 Cahaba Drive

Montgomery, AL 36108

334/269-9142

fax: 334/834-3364

cell: 334/221-1973

smdg1@aol.com

Congressional District 3 Representative

Mr. David Tuck

P.O. Box 293

Rockford, AL 35136

334/567-1504

tuckrockford@aol.com

Congressional District 4 Representative

Vacant

Congressional District 5 Representative

Ms. Sharon Gilbreath

P. O. Box 445

Madison, AL 35758

256/430-5790

cell: 256/337-1426

stewssw@bellsouth.net

Congressional District 6 Representative

Ms. Carol Poe

1620 44th Street West

Birmingham, AL 35208

205/788-9306  

poec@bellsouth.net

Congressional District 7 Representative

Mrs. Emma Jean Melton

5003 Fourth Avenue

Tuscaloosa, AL 35405

205/758-6800

fax: 205/391-2658

Tuscjean@aol.com

COLLEGIATE COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE

Dr. Paul B. Mohr, Sr.

P.O. Box 302000

Montgomery, AL 36130-2000

334/242-2209 

fax: 334/242-0268

Paul.Mohr@ache.alabama.gov

Vacancy

PUBLIC INSTITUTION REPRESENTATIVE

Ms. Cynthia Flowers

AL Bureau of Tourism and Travel

401 Adams Avenue, Suite 126

Montgomery, Al 36103-4927

334/242-4413

fax: 334/242-1478

cynthia.flowers@tourism.alabama.gov

Ms. Sanquenetta Thompson

Station 35

Livingston, AL 35470

205/652-3408

sthompson@uwa.edu

STATE MEMBERS-AT-LARGE

Mrs. Louretta Wimberly 

3007 North Broad Street

Selma, AL 36701

334/875-5894

fax: 334/875-9375

lourettawimberly@aol.com 

Dr. Richard Bailey

P. O. Box 1264

Montgomery, AL 36102-1264

334/953-7123

fax: 334/272-7248

scholarship111@bellsouth.net

Mrs. Roamelia Blackburn

3423 Tall Pines Circle

Tuscaloosa, Al 35405

205/553-3146

Mrs. Ruthie Pitts

1972 St. Johns Court

Auburn, AL 36830-6969

205/246-6775

ruthiepitts@gmail.com

Mrs. Georgia Calhoun

2150 Old Choccolocco Road

Anniston, AL 36207

256/ 236-2497

grcalhoun9@aol.com

HONORARY MEMBER-AT-LARGE

Vacancy

ALABAMA HISTORICAL COMMISSION MEMBER REPRESENTATIVE

Mr. Robert J. (Jeff) Jakeman

310 Thach Hall

Auburn, AL 36849-5207

334/844-6634

fax: 334/844-6673

jakemrj@auburn.edu

How can I join the Black Heritage Council?

Council membership is by appointment. If you would like to fill out a membership form to be considered by the nominating committee, please contact dorothy.walker@preserveala.org. All citizens are encouraged to join the Black Heritage Council network.  

How do I join the Black Heritage Council network?

Send your name, mailing address, phone number and email address to

By postal mail:

Black Heritage Council of the Alabama Historical Commission

P. O. Box 300900

Montgomery, AL 36130-0900

By email:

dorothy.walker@preserveala.org.   

There is no membership fee. Membership comes with a subscription to the Preservation Advocate, the AHC's newsletter Preservation Report, and notice of special workshops and conferences.