named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
African American Veterans Monument
Physical monument at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park designed as a timeline and map of the 12 U.S. military conflicts, honoring African American service members' contributions, sacrifices, and valor
Commemorative Brick Program
Fundraising and engagement initiative allowing supporters to purchase concrete bricks inscribed with veterans' names, branch, rank, or service years, to be installed at the monument site
Stories of War
Online exhibition showcasing the history and experiences of African American military service across all U.S. conflicts, featuring historical figures and units from the Revolutionary War to modern times
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Commemorative Brick and Memorial Installations 1 activity
- Administers a commemorative brick program at the monument siteOffers a program allowing supporters to inscribe bricks with names, branch of service, rank, or years of service of African American veterans for permanent placement at the African American Veterans Monument site.
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Memorial and Veteran Honor Services 1 activity
- Constructs and maintains a national monument honoring African American veteransOperates and stewards the African American Veterans Monument at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, the first monument dedicated to recognizing the military service, contributions, and sacrifices of African American veterans across all U.S. military conflicts since the Revolutionary War. The organization is responsible for the monument's design, construction, and ongoing preservation.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Documents and advocates for recognition of African American veterans' serviceConducts historical research and public advocacy to document and secure formal recognition of African American soldiers’ participation in major U.S. conflicts, including the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican War, Spanish American War, World Wars I and II, and the Korean War. This includes efforts to highlight Medal of Honor recipients, segregated units like the Buffalo Soldiers and the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, and policy changes such as Rhode Island’s emancipation-enlistment program.
- Produces digital exhibitions on African American military historyHosts an online exhibition featuring stories, videos, and historical documentation of African American military service across U.S. history, including over 30 minutes of video content and narratives highlighting valor and sacrifice amid discrimination. The exhibition covers individuals such as Harriet Tubman, Henry Johnson, Cathay Williams, and James Armistead Lafayette, and spans conflicts from the Revolutionary War to the Korean War.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$131K
Contributions & grants$118K90%
Program service revenue$13K10%
Investment income$2740%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$146K
Program expenses95%
Admin / overhead5%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$2.18M
Cash$26K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$2.18M
Liquid reserves2.1 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +37.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 16
- ANDREA MAYS — BOARD MEMBER
- CHARLES EVERHART — BOARD MEMBER (TO 9/12/24)
- CHRISTIAN JOHNSON — BOARD MEMBER
- DONNA DECAROLIS — BOARD MEMBER
- HENRY W CURTIS — BOARD MEMBER (TO 10/6/24)
- LAURA MONTANTE-ZAEPFEL — BOARD MEMBER
- MADELINE O SCOTT — BOARD MEMBER
- PENNY SEMAIA — BOARD MEMBER
- REV EUGENE PIERCE — BOARD MEMBER
- RICHARD A CUMMINGS — BOARD MEMBER/VICE PRESIDENT
- ROGER MOSS — BOARD MEMBER
- RONAL R BASSHAM — BOARD MEMBER
- SCHUYLER BANKS — BOARD MEMBER/PRESIDENT
- SOLOMON TITUS TAYLOR — BOARD MEMBER
- VAN TAYLOR — BOARD MEMBER
- WARREN K GALLOWAY — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 27
Who they work with
- 24th Infantry Regiment Partner — Recognized the regiment's role in early Korean War victories and as an all-Black unit during the transition to full military integration.
- American Veterans Center Partner — Features an oral history library from the American Veterans Center dedicated to African American war heroes.
- Buffalo Soldier Educational and Historical Committee Partner — Partners to highlight the legacy of an exclusively Black female unit during WWII.
- Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park Partner — Hosts the African American Veterans Monument on its grounds.
- David R. Wagner Partner — Credited author providing historical account of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment.
- Lawrence E. Walker Foundation Partner — Provider of historical materials and collection resources related to African American veterans.
- Library of Congress Government — Source cited for historical information about Crispus Attucks.
- Library of Congress Government — Source of archival image of a military stockade near Beaver River and Wolf Creek, Utah.
- Library of Congress Partner — Provider of archival lithograph depicting the Battle of San Juan Hill
- Library of Congress Partner — Provides historical images used by the organization, such as African American soldiers guarding prisoners in 1916.
- Library of Virginia Government — Source cited for historical information about James Armistead Lafayette.
- National Archives Government — Source of archival images and historical records used to document African American veterans' service in World War II.
- National Park Service Partner — Collaborates by featuring a National Park Service online exhibition honoring the Tuskegee Airmen.
- National Veterans Memorial and Museum Partner — Features video histories from the National Veterans Memorial and Museum on Black American veterans.
- New York Public Library Digital Collections Partner — Provider of archival sketch of the 10th Cavalry charge at San Juan
- Night Kitchen Interactive Partner — Collaborated on the digital or interactive components of the African American Veterans Monument project.
- Solid 716 Partner — Collaborated on the development of the African American Veterans Monument project.
- Studio Tectonic Partner — Partnered in the design and development of the African American Veterans Monument.
- The Erie County Chapter of the Links, Inc. Partner — Commissioned a project to record the names of deceased Western New York African American veterans, contributing to the foundation of the monument initiative.
- U.S. Air Force Government — Provider of historical photographs documenting African American airmen during World War II.
- U.S. Army Government — Source of historical imagery and military unit documentation related to African American soldiers in World War II.
- U.S. Army Partner — Features an interactive exhibition by the U.S. Army honoring African American soldiers throughout history.
- U.S. Army Military History Institute Partner — Provider of photograph of Troop E, 9th Cavalry at the Presidio
- U.S. Marines Government — Source of contemporary and historical imagery related to African American Marine Corps service.
- U.S. National Park Service Partner — Source of historical documentation and images related to Frederick Hall’s service at Fort McHenry.
- U.S. Navy Government — Provider of official historical photographs depicting African American personnel during World War II.
- YMCA Partner — Collaborated with YMCA to operate canteens and leave stations for African American troops in France.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Cultural Commemoration Through Public Monumentationmethodology: cultural_commemoration_through_public_monumentationBy creating a national monument with symbolic design elements, the organization produces cultural remembrance and historical visibility of African American veterans' service, because public monuments serve as enduring sites of collective memory and recognition that affirm marginalized contributions.
- Digital Storytelling for Historical Awareness and Educationmethodology: digital_storytellingBy using digital storytelling and short video narratives, the organization increases public understanding of African American veterans’ contributions and struggles, because accessible media formats enhance engagement and empathy, particularly around histories obscured by systemic discrimination.
- Military Service as a Catalyst for Racial Equity and Civil Rightsmethodology: military_integration_civil_rights_catalystBy highlighting integrated military service and the pursuit of freedom through service, the organization advances racial equity, because veterans’ experiences with desegregation and citizenship during wartime have historically fueled post-war civil rights activism and societal change.