"When an elder dies, a library burns to the ground." — African Proverb
WHO WE ARE
Our Vision & Mission
Our Vision
We aspire to be stewards of African American culture, nurturing a vibrant community deeply rooted in its heritage. Through innovation and collaboration, we aim to inspire connection and celebrate a rich legacy, creating a more diverse and equitable community for everyone.
Our Mission
Empowering Our Legacy, Preserving Our History, Uniting Our Community: Our nonprofit committee is dedicated to honoring and safeguarding the rich tapestry of African American heritage in Columbus County, North Carolina. Our mission is to preserve, celebrate, and raise awareness of their stories, achievements, and cultural contributions, ensuring this invaluable legacy endures for generations. Through dedicated preservation efforts, engaging educational initiatives, and inclusive community involvement, we aim to honor, protect, and promote the diverse and invaluable cultural contributions of African Americans, fostering unity and appreciation among generations.
What We Believe
Every story matters. Every voice deserves to be heard. Every generation has the responsibility to pass forward the wisdom, strength, and beauty of those who came before. Culture is not just history. It is living, breathing, and worth protecting.
We are committed to preservation, education, and community, because heritage is our greatest inheritance.
heritage is our greatest inheritance
heritage is our greatest inheritance
“COME TO THE FRONT PORCH” PROJECT
CAPTURING STORIES
The Come to the Front Porch Project is an initiative of the Columbus County Committee for the Preservation of African American Culture (3CPAAC) created to preserve the stories, memories, and lived experiences of African Americans throughout Columbus County. For generations, the front porch has been more than a place to sit.
It has been a gathering place where families talked, elders shared wisdom, neighbors connected, and history was passed from one generation to the next. This project brings that tradition forward by creating intentional opportunities to listen to and document the voices of those who helped shape our communities.
Through recorded conversations, oral histories, photographs, family stories, and community gatherings, Come to the Front Porch will help ensure that important pieces of our local African American history are not lost with time. The project especially honors the knowledge held by our elders while creating a bridge between generations, allowing younger people to hear history from the people who lived it. In keeping with 3CPAAC’s belief that “When an elder dies, a library burns to the ground,” the Come to the Front Porch Project is our way of opening those libraries, preserving their stories, and making sure future generations know the people, places, struggles, traditions, and triumphs that helped build Columbus County.
Honoring a Legacy That Must Never Be Lost
OUR PURPOSE
Across Columbus County, generations of African Americans have shaped the land, the culture, and the community in profound ways. Their stories; told around kitchen tables, in church pews, and on front porches, carry irreplaceable wisdom.
3CPAAC exists to ensure those stories are never forgotten, never silenced, and never left unrecorded.
From oral histories and cultural traditions to historical landmarks and community achievements, we are committed to capturing, preserving, and celebrating the full depth of this heritage. Because when a story is lost, a piece of all of us is lost with it.
Three Pillars of Our Work
OUR OBJECTIVES
🏛️ Preserve & Protect
Safeguarding historical sites, artifacts, documents, and traditions that represent African American heritage in Columbus County.
Identify and protect historical landmarks
Digitize records and archival materials
Collect oral histories from community elders, leaders, and citizens who desire to share
Support local artists and historians
📚 Educate & Raise Awareness
Developing programs that highlight the achievements, struggles, and victories of African Americans locally, regionally, and internationally.
Workshops and educational programming
Community outreach initiatives
Interactive cultural events
Partnerships with schools and educators
🤝 Foster Community Engagement
Building platforms for creativity, storytelling, and dialogue that invite all community members to participate in preservation together.
Story-sharing and dialogue platforms
Cross-community partnerships
Inclusive cultural celebrations
Volunteer and civic engagement programs
Keeping History Alive for Future Generations
PRESERVE & PROTECT
Columbus County holds a deep and layered history …
Shaped by the resilience, creativity, and contributions of African Americans across generations. From the marks left on the land to the traditions still carried in families today, this heritage is both fragile and priceless.
Our preservation work includes identifying and documenting historical landmarks before they are lost to time, digitizing records and photographs, and collecting oral histories from community elders. We partner with local historians, archivists, and cultural leaders to ensure these resources are accessible to everyone . Now and for generations to come.
Every artifact saved, every story recorded, and every landmark protected is a gift to the future.
EDUCATE & RAISE AWARENESS
Stories That Teach, Inspire, and Connect
Education is one of the most powerful tools for cultural preservation. 3CPAAC develops programs, workshops, and interactive events designed to bring the history and achievements of African Americans in Columbus County to life. Not as distant facts, but as living stories that resonate across generations.
Educational Programs
Curriculum-aligned programming for schools and youth organizations that brings local African American history into the classroom.
Workshops & Events
Engaging community workshops, panel discussions, and cultural events that foster deeper understanding and appreciation.
Regional Outreach
Expanding awareness of Columbus County's African American legacy locally, regionally, and beyond. Sharing stories that deserve a global audience.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Built By the Community, For the Community
Preservation is not a task for one organization alone, it is a shared calling. 3CPAAC creates meaningful opportunities for residents, families, educators, faith communities, local businesses, and civic leaders to come together around a shared purpose: honoring and celebrating African American culture in Columbus County.
We believe that belonging is built through storytelling, shared celebration, and collaborative action.
Our community platforms invite creativity and dialogue, giving every voice a place in this important work. When people feel seen and heard, communities grow stronger, more resilient, and more united.
Ways to Get Involved
Volunteer at events and initiatives
Share your family's story or photographs
Partner with us as an organization
Join a committee or working group
Attend and spread the word about our events
Follow 3CPAAC on social media. Engage and share
The Impact We're Building Together
Our work touches every part of the community. From preserving documents to empowering the next generation of storytellers and leaders.
1
County, Many Voices
Serving the full breadth of Columbus County and surrounding regions with inclusive programming and outreach.
2
Core Pillars
Preservation, Education, and Community Engagement. Three interconnected commitments driving everything we do.
3
Generations Served
Our work spans from elders whose memories hold irreplaceable history to children who will carry the legacy forward.
"By fulfilling these objectives, 3CPAAC can make significant strides in becoming a true steward of African American culture. Fostering a more vibrant and connected community for all."
Let’s do something meaningful together.
PRESERVE. PROTECT. RAISE AWARENESS. EDUCATE. FOSTER COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
PRESERVE. PROTECT. RAISE AWARENESS. EDUCATE. FOSTER COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
Join Us in This Important Work
GET INVOLVED
Whether you are a lifelong Columbus County resident with stories to share, an educator looking for meaningful curriculum resources, a local business ready to invest in community, or someone simply called to be a part of something larger than yourself, there is a place for you in 3CPAAC.
Together, we can ensure that the history, culture, and achievements of African Americans in Columbus County are never buried, never forgotten, and always celebrated with the honor they deserve. Every contribution of time, talent, or treasure moves us closer to a more connected and equitable community for everyone.
CONTACT & CONNECT
Reach Out to 3CPAAC
Columbus County Committee for Preservation of African American Culture
We welcome connections from community members, educators, donors, historians, faith leaders, and organizational partners. If you have a story to share, a resource to offer, or simply want to learn more about our work, we would love to hear from you.
Our committee was formally initiated in February 2024 and is actively building programs, partnerships, and a professional presence to serve Columbus County for years to come. Development and community infrastructure are underway, and we invite you to be a part of this founding chapter.
Stay Connected
Sign up to receive updates on our events, programs, and preservation initiatives. Be among the first to hear about opportunities to engage, contribute, and celebrate African American culture in Columbus County.
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Serving Columbus County, North Carolina
and surrounding communities.