The Heritage Salon Legacy Giving Circle is dedicated to supporting the preservation, sustainability, and vitality of Black museums, historic homes, and historic sites—especially small to mid sized institutions that often operate with limited resources. Guided by the values of preservation, integrity, excellence, relational connection, and responsibility, we pool our collective resources to protect Black history, strengthen these organizations, and ensure their stories and spaces remain vibrant for generations to come. Our work is rooted in a trust based philanthropic approach that honors the expertise of the organizations we support and reimagines how grantmaking can be done with care, respect, and partnership.
Inspiration Behind the Heritage Salon Legacy Giving Circle
Bethune Circle #1
The Heritage Salon Legacy Giving Circle (HSLGC) was created to carry forward the mission of Heritage Salon by moving from advocacy to intentional, collective action. Rooted in the powerful tradition of Black club women—whose leadership strengthened communities, expanded opportunity, and fueled philanthropy—this giving circle honors a lineage of women who gave boldly and organized strategically. Jada Wright Greene draws deeply from this history, particularly the legacy of Madam C. J. Walker, Maggie L. Walker, Ada M. Lee, Founder of Bethune Circle #1.
Her own experience with Bethune Circle #1 in Jacksonville, Florida, where dedicated men and women pooled their resources to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Bethune Cookman University students. The Giving Circle continues that tradition of women led generosity, mobilizing shared purpose and shared power to preserve and uplift Black museums, historic homes, and historic sites.
It is a modern expression of a timeless truth: when we come together, communities are transformed and history is protected for generations to come.
Madam C. J. Walker
The Heritage Salon Legacy Giving Circle focuses on supporting short‑term, high‑impact needs that help small to mid‑sized Black museums, historic homes, and cultural organizations strengthen their capacity and sustainability. Our goal is to provide flexible, meaningful support that enables institutions to preserve, interpret, and uplift Black history and culture in ways that matter to their communities.
We prioritize funding for:
Organizations may apply for funding by invitation only, allowing us to be intentional in our outreach—building relationships, learning deeply about an organization’s work, and prioritizing those already demonstrating meaningful impact.
This approach also helps us manage capacity so each invited application receives thoughtful review and support.
Eligible applicants:
Invitations will be distributed in late Fall, and awards will be announced each February.
Questions about eligibility may be directed to info@heritagesalon.org
Jada Wright-Greene, Founder
Jada Wright-Greene earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Bethune-Cookman University, a Masters degree in Urban & Regional Planning and a Certificate in Museum Studies making her the 1st African-American to complete the Museum Studies program at Michigan State University. She went on to earn dual Masters degrees in Museum Studies and Nonprofit Management from Johns Hopkins University.
“A new day has arrived at Heritage Salon—one rooted in the same legacy, passion, and determination that has guided our work in the museum and historic site industry from the very beginning. I am thrilled to introduce the Heritage Salon Legacy Giving Circle, an extension of our mission and a bold step from advocacy into intentional, trust based action. I invite you to stand with us by joining the Heritage Salon Legacy Giving Circle or making a donation to support our institutions that need us most. Together, we can honor the women who came before us and ensure their spirit of generosity continues for generations to come.” — Jada
Dr. Ashley Preston, Founding Member
Dr. Ashley Preston is a prominent historian, author, and tenured Associate Professor of History at Howard University, specializing in African Diaspora history and public history. She is best known for her expertise on the activism of Black women and Pan-Africanism.
Dr. Preston holds a Ph.D. in African Diaspora/Public History from Howard University, an M.A. from Temple University, and a B.S. from Bowie State University.
Dr. Tara White, Founding Member
Dr. Tara White is an esteemed alumna of the Cooperstown Graduate Program, as well as a prominent historian in the fields of women’s history and Black history. She was born in Montgomery, Alabama, and is currently a professor of history at Wallace Community College in Selma, Alabama.
Dr. White graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with her bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry prior to her time at the Cooperstown Graduate Program. She earned her master’s degree before pursuing a PhD at Middle Tennessee State University.
If you’re ready to join this powerful community committed to sustaining our institutions across the nation, reach out to Founder Jada Wright Greene at jada@heritagesalon.org.