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Invest in the Future (Capital Campaign)

Investing in Education. Elevating Culture. Empowering Communities.

The San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum (SAAACAM) is transforming the historic Kress-Grant Buildings into a 103,000-square-foot cultural center that reclaims a once-segregated space to tell a more complete and inclusive American story.

Guided by our three pillars—Education, Cultural Enrichment, and Economic Empowerment—the new SAAACAM Cultural Center will feature 30,000 square feet of immersive exhibitions, a public research library, classrooms, a 400-seat auditorium, event space, and a 12-room boutique hotel.
This vibrant hub will welcome over 100,000 visitors annually, create more than 60 full- and part-time jobs, and offer meaningful opportunities for learning, workforce development, and small business growth. As a national model for cultural preservation and innovation, the center will ignite pride, possibility, and progress for generations to come.

Join us in building this legacy—make your gift today and be part of shaping history.

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SAAACAM is home

The new SAAACAM in an innovative model combining history and enterprise. Our vision for this space is ambitious and strategic. Upon completion of the $72 million renovation ($50 million raised and $20 million in tax credits), the new home of SAAACAM will have two classrooms, a research library and 21,000 square feet of exhibition space.

San Antonio History

Nearly 75 years ago, a lunch counter in the basement of a former five-and-dime store became one of seven lunch counters in downtown San Antonio to desegregate peacefully without sit-ins or arrests. That day, in March 1960, San Antonio set an example for the rest of the nation, and the W.T. Grant and Kress Buildings became part of San Antonio’s rich history.

SAAACAM Cultural Center Building Sections

SAAACAM Cultural Center Building Sections

SAAACAM Cultural Center Entry Hall

SAAACAM Cultural Center Entry Hall

SAAACAM Cultural Center Auditorium

SAAACAM Cultural Center Auditorium

Citizenship Hall: Handprints of Connection

Citizenship Hall: Handprints of Connection

Healing Hall: Reclaiming Kress

Healing Hall: Reclaiming Kress

Transformations Hall: Blended Roots

Transformations Hall: Blended Roots

Transformations Hal: Cultural Kaleidoscope

Transformations Hal: Cultural Kaleidoscope

Collaborating with schools like SAISD’s Mission Academy

Collaborating with schools like SAISD’s Mission Academy

With SAAACAM, students at Harris Middle School learn history connects us all.

With SAAACAM, students at Harris Middle School learn history connects us all.

Education

SAAACAM empowers learners of all ages through dynamic, inclusive educational resources. Our onsite and digital research libraries serve as vital tools for scholars, students, and community members exploring the African American experience in San Antonio and the Southwest. We partner with local schools as a curriculum provider, offering standards-aligned lesson plans that center historically underrepresented voices. In addition, our historic tours—guided through an African American lens—offer immersive, story-rich experiences that connect the past to the present and deepen understanding across generations.

Invest in Education
Our Black History Film Series doesn't end when the credits roll—panel discussions and Q&A bring the community into conversation with the past and each other.

Our Black History Film Series doesn't end when the credits roll—panel discussions and Q&A bring the community into conversation with the past and each other.

Grace Roy receives the Elizabeth T. Wrenn Primary & Secondary Legacy Award, surrounded by the stories of past and present excellence in education and community service.

Grace Roy receives the Elizabeth T. Wrenn Primary & Secondary Legacy Award, surrounded by the stories of past and present excellence in education and community service.

Visitors engage with The Soul of San Antonio—a dynamic exhibition highlighting the legacy and contributions of Black musicians to the city's rich musical heritage.

Visitors engage with The Soul of San Antonio—a dynamic exhibition highlighting the legacy and contributions of Black musicians to the city's rich musical heritage.

A full house gathers for SAAACAM’s Black History Film Series—demonstrating the community’s hunger for cultural programming that informs and inspires.

A full house gathers for SAAACAM’s Black History Film Series—demonstrating the community’s hunger for cultural programming that informs and inspires.

Guests of all ages take a ride on the San Antonio River to learn about the city’s Black History.

Guests of all ages take a ride on the San Antonio River to learn about the city’s Black History.

Cultural Enrichment

With over 30,000 square feet of exhibition space in our future cultural center, SAAACAM is expanding San Antonio’s cultural landscape. We are proud to offer free admission and free programming to ensure everyone can access our stories and resources, regardless of economic background. Located at the heart of the city’s growing cultural corridor—including The Alamo, Majestic Theater, Texas Public Radio, the Alameda Theater, and the Mexican American Civil Rights Institute—SAAACAM adds a vital and often missing narrative to this vibrant collective. Through exhibitions, performances, and storytelling, we celebrate Black creativity, resilience, and joy.

Invest in Culture

Economic Empowerment

SAAACAM is building a sustainable model rooted in equity and opportunity. Our income-producing initiatives—from event rentals to a boutique hotel—ensure long-term viability while reinvesting in community-driven programs. Through our Black Chef-in-Residency program, we uplift culinary talent and honor food as cultural heritage. We are also committed to workforce development, hiring staff from local colleges that serve low-to-moderate-income communities, and offering experiential learning opportunities that prepare the next generation of cultural leaders.

Empower the Future
The SAAACAM Event Center at the Kress-Grant Building will generate vital revenue, empower Black chefs, provide student training opportunities, and offer unforgettable guest experiences.

The SAAACAM Event Center at the Kress-Grant Building will generate vital revenue, empower Black chefs, provide student training opportunities, and offer unforgettable guest experiences.

The 12-room boutique hotel atop the Kress-Grant Building will blend history, comfort, and economic impact—supporting SAAACAM’s mission year-round.

The 12-room boutique hotel atop the Kress-Grant Building will blend history, comfort, and economic impact—supporting SAAACAM’s mission year-round.

Chef Kaius showcases culinary excellence while serving a custom lunch for the cast of The Wiz—demonstrating the power of opportunity, creativity, and community.

Chef Kaius showcases culinary excellence while serving a custom lunch for the cast of The Wiz—demonstrating the power of opportunity, creativity, and community.