The Black History Commission of Arkansas was originally named the Arkansas Black History Committee when it was created in 1991, with the name change in 1995 through Act 980.

It was created through Act 1233 establishing the seven-member, governor-appointed committee charged with promoting and preserving black history in Arkansas.

The BHCA continues to collect materials on Arkansas's black history and history-makers for the Arkansas State Archives. The commission works to raise awareness of the contributions and impact black Arkansans have had on the state's history. The BHCA sponsors two annual symposiums devoted to black history in February and June and administers a grant program that provides support for preservation and public programming projects related to Arkansas's black history.

Curtis H. Sykes Memorial Grant Program

The Curtis H. Sykes Memorial grant program is offered by The Black History Commission of Arkansas and the Arkansas State Archives. This program provides support for African American historic and historical preservation and public programming projects in Arkansas.

Click here to learn more. 

To register for June 2023 symposium, click here.