Acknowledgments

Celebrating the Forging Future Pathways Forward Project

In the heart of Fisk University's John Hope and Aurelia E. Franklin Library, a new chapter has begun for the Julius Rosenwald Fund Archives. For years, the Julius Rosenwald Fund collection in its physical form was a quiet reservoir of history accessible only to a few. Over time, this archive grew and evolved, eventually forming the Rosenwald School Fund Card database—a central moment that helped shape the Forging Future Pathways Forward: Building a Portal to Rosenwald Collections for All project.

This project, born from that foundation, now serves as an energetic and accessible digital resource, allowing more people than ever to explore and connect with the living history of the Rosenwald Fund. The portal offers an opportunity to discover new insights and stories of cities, towns, families, and states, highlighting how the Fund's contributions continue to resonate nationwide. We have transformed this once-limited archive into a digital portal serving scholars, students, community members, and future generations. This achievement is not just a technological milestone but a testament to the power of collaboration, dedication, and vision.

This project is about more than just making the Rosenwald collections accessible; it's about creating a pathway forward for institutions like Fisk and other HBCU libraries to build, sustain, and expand their digital collections. Our work is a labor of love, driven by the belief that no challenge is insurmountable when we come together with purpose. As an HBCU library, we understand the value of this project, not just for our institution, but for the broader cultural heritage community. This effort serves as a model of possibility, offering solutions for small cultural heritage institutions and empowering them to preserve and share their unique histories. We take immense pride in the progress made so far and remain committed to expanding this digital resource. We hope to inspire others in the cultural heritage community to build the future of accessible archives for all.

None of this would have been possible without the support of Fisk University's administration—President Dr. Agenia Walker-Clark and Provost Dr. Robert Z. Carr, Jr.—whose leadership made this initiative a priority, ensuring the infrastructure and resources were in place to make this vision a reality. Their unwavering commitment to preserving our shared history has been instrumental to the project's success.

We also recognize the tireless efforts of all project participants, whose dedication to this project has turned the idea of a digital portal into a functioning, accessible archive. Their collaborative spirit and expertise are reflected in every piece of the collection made available online.

A special thanks goes to the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, whose generous support has been the cornerstone of this project. Their funding has enabled us to build a sustainable, accessible portal that will continue to grow, evolve, and impact future generations of researchers, educators, and students.

We are deeply grateful to our advisory board and community partners, whose insights and guidance have shaped the project's direction and ensured its alignment with the broader community's needs. Their contributions will continue to influence the project's success for years to come.

Finally, we celebrate the community—the individuals, families, educators, and activists—who have supported this project. Their ongoing interest in the archives and their commitment to the preservation of this invaluable history are why this project exists and will thrive for generations.

As we look to the future, we remain dedicated to the sustainability and growth of this digital archive, continuously building on the foundation we've laid. Through ongoing collaboration and a commitment to uncovering new stories and ideas, we aim to see this resource flourish, expanding access to invaluable historical records.

With gratitude,
DeLisa Minor Harris
Director of Library Services & Project Director

THANK YOU!