Funding for Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties’ Project will Help Preserve and Celebrate African American History and Culture Across Palm Beach County
“The African American Museum and Research Library will not only honor a vital piece of our shared history but also serve as a catalyst for opportunity,” said Commissioner Bobby Powell, who also sits on the AAMRL Board of Directors and has long championed the initiative. “This investment reflects our ongoing commitment to advancing economic opportunity and cultural understanding across the communities we serve.”
Located in the historic Coleman Park neighborhood, the AAMRL will be a transformative anchor institution fostering community pride, economic growth, and cultural vitality while honoring the area’s rich African American heritage. The project will feature museum galleries, a research library, and diverse opportunities for community engagement—including lectures, workshops, exhibitions, cultural programs, oral history projects, and youth education initiatives.
This collaborative effort brings together the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, the School District of Palm Beach County, and numerous community stakeholders. Bank of America and the Quantum Foundation have each recently announced $500,000 grants to further support the project.
The Roosevelt site holds deep historical significance —it was once home to West Palm Beach’s historic Roosevelt High School, later becoming the Roosevelt Full-Service Center. Alumni and community members have long advocated for a meaningful transformation of the property. The School District, which owns the site, has completed Phase I renovations, with Phase II to include the restoration of the research library and construction of a new two-story, 20,000-square-foot museum building. In June 2025, Bora Architecture & Interiors was selected as the project’s lead design firm.
