African American Fellowship Program

It’s year four of the African American Fellowship at Preservation Virginia (PV)! Since 2023, PV has hosted cohorts of fellowship participants focused on researching and preserving African American history in Virginia. Past programming support was generously received from the Mellon Foundation’s Humanities in Place and the Jessie Ball duPont Fund. Eleven Fellows have worked on projects from across Virginia: Charlottesville, Gloucester, Richmond, Alexandria, Fluvanna, Petersburg, Cumberland, and Danville.

Our program is two-tiered. We seek to document African American history and historic sites while growing the number of African American researchers and preservationists. Fellowships are available to students and nontraditional preservationists— community members undertaking preservation efforts without formal training. Nontraditional preservationists often address local issues and need support and education to preserve African American history and historic sites.

The summer curriculum includes key interdisciplinary principles related to historic preservation—anthropology, architecture, sociology, urban and regional planning, and finance—and applies them to independent study projects. The program combines coursework, in-person residency, field trips and conference attendance. A designated PV staff, board member, or community practitioner mentor supports each participant.

Dr. Lisa Winn Bryan, Community Outreach Manager, has led this initiative at Preservation Virginia since its beginning. “Our organizational goal is to continue to offer this fellowship for years to come,” said Dr. Winn Bryan. “The 2025 program was another phenomenal success; each cohort is growing better, and we’re excited to continue the vital work of documenting African American history and connecting with descendant communities in 2026.”

“It’s a priority at Preservation Virginia to cultivate and support the next generation of historic preservationists,” said PV CEO Will Glasco. “The Fellowship program is a tangible way to connect research and community preservationists to the resources and mentors needed to further their research, careers or, in some cases, personal projects.”

APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2026 COHORT ARE NOW CLOSED

Meet The 2025 Cohort

Dr. Shelia K. Wilson Elliott

Tribal Historian, Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia (Capron, VA)

Dr. Elliott’s research project traces the lineage of Nottoway Native American descendants within an American historical context. It examines the historical significance of familial relationships between the Nottoway Indians, Africans, and African Americans.

Karice Luck-Brimmer

Historical and Genealogist in Pittsylvania County (Danville, VA)

Karice’s research highlights the critical need to conserve sacred burial grounds, historic sites, and the oral traditions and contributions of our shared heritage among Black churches in Pittsylvania County.

Marlo Green

Activist, Jarratt House on Pocahontas Island (Petersburg, VA)

Marlo’s research focuses on one of the oldest free Black communities in the United States, located on Pocahontas Island. The Jarratt House is a brick Federal and antebellum building situated on the island. Her research will further the revitalization of her community, reconnecting the neighborhood to the City of Petersburg.

For more information or questions contact Dr. Lisa Winn Bryan | lwinnbryan@preservationvirginia.org