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.
Investing in Education. Elevating Culture. Empowering Communities.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Why Your Support Matters
Supporting the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum (SAAACAM) helps ensure that the stories, contributions, and cultural legacy of African Americans in San Antonio are preserved and shared for generations to come.
Your partnership helps us:
Preserve History
Collect, protect, and archive photographs, documents, oral histories, and artifacts that tell the story of African descendants in San Antonio and the Southwest Region.
Educate Future Generations
Provide educational programs, exhibitions, and learning opportunities for students, educators, and families.
Strengthen Community Connections
Create spaces and programs that bring people together to learn, reflect, and celebrate shared heritage.
Amplify Untold Stories
Ensure that historically underrepresented voices and experiences are documented and shared with wider audience
Expand Cultural Access
Support exhibitions, public programs, and events that make history accessible, engaging, and relevant.
Invest in Economic Empowerment
Contribute to cultural tourism, local business engagement, and community-driven economic development.
Build a Lasting Legacy
Help establish a permanent museum and archive that will serve as a cultural cornerstone for San Antonio and beyond.
