The American Historical Association is a nonprofit membership organization founded in 1884 and incorporated by Congress in 1889 for the promotion of historical studies. The AHA provides leadership for the discipline, protects academic freedom, develops professional standards, aids in the pursuit and publication of scholarship, and supplies various services to sustain and enhance the work of its members. As the largest organization of historians in the United States, the AHA is comprised of more than 13,000 members and serves historians representing every historical period and geographical area. 

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture—past, present, and future. It was established by Act of Congress in 2003, following decades of efforts to promote and highlight the contributions of African Americans. When the NMAAHC opens in fall 2016, it will be the 19th and newest museum of the Smithsonian Institution, which was established as a public trust in 1846 “to promote the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” The NMAAHC showcases the voices, objects, and memories of those people who have both made and experienced the richness of African American history and culture. One-of-a-kind artifacts, as well as interactive displays utilizing state-of-the-art technologies, make these materials accessible and tangible for visitors. As a 21st-century institution, the NMAAHC must reach beyond its location at the center of the National Mall of the United States to engage new audiences, both nationally and internationally. The NMAAHC encourages visitors to go beyond its four walls to collaborate and interact with other museums and educational institutions that are also exploring African American history and culture.

HISTORY®, now reaching more than 96 million homes, is the leading destination for award-winning series and specials that connect viewers with history in an informative, immersive and entertaining manner across all platforms. The network’s all-original programming slate features a roster of signature series including “Pawn Stars,” “American Pickers,” “The Curse of Oak Island,” “Alone” as well as the hit drama series “Vikings.” The HISTORY website is located at history.com. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/history and Facebook at facebook.com/history.

​Celebrating its 50th anniversary as an independent federal agency in 2015-16, National Endowment for the Humanities brings the best in humanities research, public programs, education, and preservation projects to the American people. To date, NEH has awarded $5 billion in grants to build the nation’s cultural capital — at museums, libraries, colleges and universities, archives, and historical societies—and advance our understanding and appreciation of history, literature, philosophy, and language. 

Since the NEH was founded, the agency has awarded more than $171 million to nearly three thousand projects on African American history and culture. Many of the participants at the Future of the African American Past conference have been recipients of these grants over the years.  Participants who have received funding from NEH are noted in the participant bios.