Preservation of African American Cemeteries, Incorporated - PAAC

11/06/2025

🗞️✨ The AAHGS and PAAC November 2025 Newsletter is here!

This issue is packed with updates, events, and resources for our genealogy community. Don’t miss what’s inside:

📅 Upcoming Events:
• AAHGS & PAAC 4th Quarter Meetings – Saturday, Nov 15 (Zoom)

• CALS 2025 Genealogy Workshop - Nov 8 at 3pm
• Veterans Day Webinar: Haiti and the Civil War – Tuesday, Nov 11 at 7pm
• Sunday Afternoon with AAHGS featuring David Anthony Taylor – Nov 16 at 6pm
• Finding Family Facts Virtual Series – Dec 20 at 10:30am

• AAHGS Christmas Brunch - December 11 at 11:30 am

💡 Inside this issue:
• Tribute to Mr. Curtis H. Sykes & the Odd Fellows Cemetery Project
• Membership renewal reminders for 2026
• Research resources and chapter updates

• PAAC Mourns the loss of Former Quapaw National Chairman John Lane Berry

Read the full newsletter below...Join us in preserving and sharing our stories - one family at a time.

10/07/2025

October is Family History Month!!!

Celebrate with us at the William F. Laman Public Library for From the Cradle to the Grave: A Genealogy Workshop on Friday, October 17 and Saturday, October 18, from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM in the Lecture Hall.

Join us for a weekend filled with stories, history, and practical tips for researching your family tree and preserving cemeteries.

Friday features guest speakers Patrick M. Oliver and Michael D. Mason sharing their expertise on family history and cemetery research.

Saturday includes presentations from Tamela Tenpenny-Lewis, PAAC Junior, and a special author talk and signing with Kyzyl Tenpenny.

No registration is required. Come ready to be inspired and connect with your roots during this Family History Month celebration.

09/25/2025

AAGHS Arkansas and PAAC proudly presented an unforgettable adventure to Mount Rushmore, the Badlands & the Black Hills of South Dakota! This incredible journey was filled with history, breathtaking scenery, and lasting memories. Thanks to AAHGS Member Serita Clark for a recap of this adventure.

09/10/2025

Our genealogical journey continues with a host of engaging activities this season! Here’s a recap of past and future events in our AAHGS and PAAC Quarterly newsletter.

06/25/2025

06/03/2025

Thank You for Attending the PAAC Memorial in May Conference 2025! 🌿

On behalf of PAAC, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us on May 23–24, 2025, for a powerful and inspiring weekend of learning, sharing, and preserving history.

We are especially grateful to our presenters, panelists, moderators, and attendees for their dedication to honoring and preserving the legacy of African American cemeteries. Your participation and insights made this conference a memorable and meaningful event.

Special thanks to the Dumas Community Center, the Syrene Missionary Baptist Church and our incredible volunteers for their hospitality and support throughout the weekend.

Together, we’re making a difference—protecting sacred spaces, telling untold stories, and building stronger communities.

Let’s continue the work. We’ll see you next year!

The Memorial in May / PAAC Leadership Team

04/28/2025

PAAC Presents Its 2025 “Memorial In May” Cemetery Preservation Conference - Cemeteries of Southeast Arkansas “Revealing the History of Early Black Communities”

May 23-24, 2025
Dumas Community Center
18 Belmont Street, Dumas, Arkansas

Sponsored in part by:
The Select Committee for the Preservation of
Syrene Missionary Baptist Church, Pickins, AR &
The Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society
Arkansas Chapter

Register by accessing this link https://form.jotform.com/241109124678153

04/06/2025

In Memory of Elsie Robinson Dodson, a member of AAHGS and PAAC. Elsie's family has established a Memorial Scholarship to honor her legacy in Civil Rights. Please pass this flyer on to those that will meet the criteria for this scholarship. Deadline is April 15th. The winner will receive their scholarship during the PAAC Cemetery Conference in May. (More details about the conference coming soon).

Thank You,
Margaret Moss, AAHGS President
Tamela Tenpenny-Lewis, PAAC President
Bryan Robinson, Chair ERD Scholarship Committee

03/28/2025

Save the Date: Memorial in May Cemetery Preservation Conference - May 23 - 24, Dumas, Arkansas

02/09/2025

Please join us for these Black History Month events and activities.

02/03/2025

The City of Wrightsville Legacy Summit was a great success encouraging everyone to reclaim their heritage, embrace opportunities and prepare for the future. Thanks to our volunteers for representing our organization as a vendor and also discussing our current Project 365.

02/03/2025

The Central Arkansas Library Expo was a great success. We enjoyed introducing our organization to all of the attendees and also visiting the other tables displaying families with strong ties to Central Arkansas Black History. Special thanks to our volunteers that represented our organization.