Programs

In-Residence Partners (Pilot Program) 
Entrepreneurship • Creation • Engage 

The African American Cultural & Heritage Facility’s In-Residence Program is a direct response to three of six areas of need identified in the African American Quality of Life Initiative Final Report – Art, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economic Development, and Employment and Education. The In-Residence Program is open to artists, organizations, and entrepreneurs.  

Partners in this program are offered co-working office space, conference room space, and programming space (up to 10 hours a week). Partners are encouraged to charge fees for these specialized classes.  

The In-Residence partners must participate in our business development workshops at the facility. These workshops will use facilitators who teach in a modality designed to support individuals with different learning styles while reflecting the diversity of the program participants. The “Level Up” financial workshops are a part of the African American Cultural and Heritage Facility's Community Learning Series, officially launching in Fall 2023. 

Community Partners 
Community • Entrepreneurship • Culture 

The African American Cultural & Heritage Facility fosters partnerships with stakeholders, local organizations, businesses, and creative individuals. These creative collaborations align with our commitment to supporting and promoting the culture, businesses, and heritage of the African American Cultural Heritage District.  

This year's partners include Black Makers Market, Jump On It, Franklin’s BBQ, Austin Urban Cultural Fest, Chak Therapy, Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce, and Six Square. 

The Pivot
Community • Culture • Conversation 

Catch episodes (1-24) of “The PIVOT” streaming on KAZI FM Community Radio, and on YouTube featuring topics and discussions about the East Austin community. Learn about vibrant businesses, our creative community, and East Austin residents who feed and sustain a heritage of our collective ecosystem. Look for musical performances featuring local artists like Bomani Ray Barton & Friends, Pam Hart, DJ Hella Yella and many more. @AACHFAustin Facebook page, KAZI FM 88.7 | Austin Community Radio, Inc.

Pivot Episodes

• This first episode of The Pivot features a conversation with Sharon Mays, Owner, and CEO of Baby Greens and performance from local musicians, Bomani Ray Barton and Friends.
• Episode 2, “The Art of Storytelling” with @blackaustintours founder, Javier Wallace, and Manager of Visitor Services of the Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau, Harrison Eppright.
• Episode 3, ”Mind, Body & Soul” Pt. 1 with focus on the importance of “Mental Health” for both youth and adults and guests Austin Child Guidance Center, Executive Director, Kristen Pierce-Vreeke, and Asha Creary, founder and CEO of Crave Counseling.
• Episode 4, “Mind, Body & Soul” Pt.2  with guests David Braswell of Outright Fitness & Performance and Chiropractor, DrMarshall Freeman of Keen Family Chiropractic-MaxLiving Health Center.
• Episode 5, “Higher Learning" with guests Michael Perkins, Chief Schools Officer at Manor ISD, Jon Bailey, Principal at Lyndon Baines Johnson Early College High School Austin ISD and Jason Brown, Manager of Austin Community College District BRASS Program (Black Representation of Achievement through Student Support).
• Episode 6, “Economic Development Spotlight” with special guest Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Acting Director for the City of Austin Economic Development Department.
• Episode 7, “Food For Thought” with guests Chef Martin Eason from Desired Eats and Kira Carrens, owner of You + Brie, LLC.
• Episode 8, “Let’s Talk About It”, with guest Farah Muscadin, Director ATX Police Oversight.
• Episode 9, “Freedom Day”, with Roland Hayes, Professor of U.S. History and Director of the African American Cultural Center at Austin Community College District (ACC) Eastview campus.
• Episode 10, “All That Jazz” with  local Jazz musician Pamela Hart.
• Episode 11, “The Great Outdoors” with Tanya Walker, creator and owner of Austin’s Black Women Who Kayak.
• Episode 12, “Back to School: Learning in the New Normal” with Adrienne Williams, Principal of Barbara Jordan Elementary School, and Brandi Powell, Principal of Manor High School.
• Episode 13, “Employers 411: Employers Need Help Too!" with Aaron Demerson, Commissioner of the Texas Workforce Commission.
• Episode 14, “The Black Church & its Community Impact” with Rev. Daryl Horton, Chair of the African American Resource Advisory Commission, and Trinity University Professor, Dr. Brandon Crooms.
• Episode 15, “The Black Church: An Inclusive Experience” with Dr. Virginia Stewart-Miller, a bi-vocational lay minister and member of the Corinth Missionary Baptist Church, and Sis. Kimberly Walker, founding President and CEO of LTLA Management/Consulting and member of St. James Missionary Baptist Church.
• Episode 16, “Black Women in Art”.  With Sade Lawson, Samara Barks, and Dawn Okoro.
• Episode 17, “A Local Look at ACL.” With music artists: The Teeta, Mike Melinoe, and CP Loony as they discuss their recent Austin City Limits performances.
• Episode 18, “Holiday Special: Food for Soul” with surprise special chefs for holiday conversation about feeding family, friends, and community souls.
• Episode 19, “MLK Special” with a special presentation of the "I Have a Dream" speech featuring Debra Burgess, Rodney Jeter, Paulette Tyson, Sabrina Simpson, and Emanuel Limuel Jr.
• Episode 20,“Art: The Force That Drives Movements” with Jeanette Hill, Founder and Director of JWHill Productions LLC, and Damon Moseley Founder of MPRINT Studio and the Afroamericana. Collection for an insightful conversation about the role of the arts in equity-driven social movements.
• Episode 21 of AACHF’s The Pivot. The episode titled, “Black History: This Is My Story!” with Dr. Javier Wallace, Race and Sport Postdoctoral Associate in the African and African American Studies Department at Duke University, for an insightful conversation about Austin's Black History
• Episode 22, with special guests Funmi Ogunro,  for Amazon Prime's "Phat Tuesdays" and ABC's "The Wonder Years" actor, Timeca M. Seretti. This episode will have AACHF's intern, Amaya Savoy-Easton as the host for women's history month.
• Episode 23, with Antonette Masando, a Zimbabwean-American filmmaker best known for She’s the Boss podcast (2017) and award-winning music news show “Austin Underground”, along with Laura Odegaard, the Cultural Investment Program Manager for the City of Austin's Economic Development Department, to talk about the Faces of Austin program.
• Episode 24, “Care For Our Youth” with Kedrick Jeffries, Director of Club Operations for Boys and Girls Clubs of The Austin Area, and DeVon Odems, Youth Program Designer & Strategist at Turner Roberts Recreation Center, for an insightful, equity-driven conversation about out of school care for youth.

The African American Portraits Project

The African American Portraits Project features African American leaders who have made lasting contributions to the African American community and the greater Austin community. Every year an honoree is selected by the City of Austin’s African American Resource Advisory Commission and added to the artwork. Austin residents and visitors can read honoree biographies by using our interactive kiosk. 

The African American Portraits Project borders the mosaic artwork, Reflections. Reflections, by Reginald C. Adams, captures important people, places, and events in Austin’s African American community. Reflections was commissioned by the City of Austin Economic Development Department. Read the Reflections portrait guide for more information about the individuals and elements featured in the mural.