Category: News

It is with deep sadness that we mourn the loss of Mrs. Madelyn “Matt” Hollis, former Board member of The Kennard Alumni Association, which owns and manages The Kennard African American Cultural Heritage Center and Museum.

Ms. Hollis wasn’t just our past Board Member; she was a beloved teacher and friend whose warm spirit and unwavering dedication touched everyone fortunate enough to know her.  Her passion for education inspired those she taught to reach higher and achieve great things.  Ms. Hollis, having grown up in the era of segregation, began her teaching career at the segregated Kennard High School in Centreville, MD.

After the county schools integrated, she continued as Mathematics Department Chair at the new Queen Anne’s County High School until retirement.  Ms. Hollis went on to become a QAC Board of Education member for 10 years, as well as leading the Lucrectia

Kennard Homemakers Club and the QAC Retired Teachers Association.  She then, as an inaugural Kennard Board Member became the “Flag Bearer” and our inspiration to complete the Kennard restoration by 2017. Though we feel her absence deeply, the light of her legacy continues to guide us all and will constantly be remembered through the work of the Kennard Center and Museum.

In recognition of Ms. Hollis’ enduring legacy and vision, Kennard’s scholarship initiative is now the Madelyn Hollis Scholarship Fund. 

Those wishing to contribute to this meaningful tribute can do so by visiting kennardheritage.com/get-involved.

Please join me in keeping the Ms. Hollis’ family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

With deepest sympathy,
Clayton Washington
Clayton “Clay” Washington
President
Kennard Alumni Association &
Kennard African American Cultural Heritage Center and Museum

Thank you to all who have supported, in any way, the mission of The Kennard African American Cultural Heritage Center and Museum over this past year. View our Winter 2025 Newsletter to see the latest happenings!

Position Description

The mission of the Kennard Alumni Association, a 501c3 nonprofit, is to provide a learning resource that models the history and culture of the African American community in Queen Anne’s County.  This learning resource will offer programs in education and cultural arts to all youth and adults of this and neighboring counties.  The Kennard Alumni Association provides scholarship funding to local African American high school graduates for collegiate and technical training programs.

Job Summary:

The Executive Director position serves at the direction of Kennard’s Board of Directors’ Executive Leadership Team and oversees operations and part-time staff. This is an exempt position, meaning it is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) overtime and minimum wage regulations. Exempt employees are typically paid a salary or fee, rather than an hourly rate, and are not subject to overtime hours or time tracking. They are expected to perform their duties regardless of how many hours they work, and are not entitled to premium overtime, straight overtime, or compensatory time for working more than 40 hours in a week.

Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Develop and implement strategic plans that meet business goals and objectives created in partnership with the Board of Directors.
2. Lead fundraising efforts, including donor cultivation, grant writing and administration, and partnership development, including new grant sources.
3. Provide active collaboration with the Board of Directors and staff to develop its annual budget and monitor same, in accordance with the organization’s mission. Complete bi-monthly Executive Director report for board review.
4. Oversee the design and delivery of all the organization’s programs, African American History Museum exhibits and related services, ensuring they contribute effectively to Kennard’s mission and the beneficiaries.
5. Build and lead an effective team dedicated to fulfilling the agency’s mission through highly successful program development, collaborations, and implementation. Lead engagement with local community partners, such as, schools, governments, churches, historians, artists, and tourism boards to develop new programs and fundraising initiatives.
6. Ensure program staff are trained in Evidence Based Practices and programs are implemented through a trauma-informed sensitive lens.
7. Supervision of Chief Financial Officer, Program Director, Program Assistant, Peer Support Staff, and Interns, as they are hired and brought onboard.
8. Serve as the face of the organization by participating in stakeholder meetings and events.  Act as the primary spokesperson for the organization; represent the programs and point of view of the organization to agencies, organizations, and the public.
9. Manage a culturally diverse staff, using life-learned skills that mesh with the organization’s mission, whose skills, cultures and spoken languages reflect the communities served.
10. Ensure effective systems to track progress, and regularly evaluate program components, to measure successes that can be effectively communicated to the board, funders, and other constituents.

Qualifications, Skills, and Competencies:

• Minimum bachelor’s degree, or an advanced degree in a nonprofit management-related field, such as African American Studies or Museum Curation, is preferred.
• At least 3 years of senior executive experience in a nonprofit environment or commensurate experience in a similar role.
• Proven track record in fundraising for nonprofit organizations.
• Strong operational management and leadership skills, and the ability to work with a Board of Directors.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to represent the organization within the wider community.

Salary and Benefits:

Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with the candidate’s experience and skills. Kennard Alumni Association, Inc. also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health and retirement plans, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.

HOW TO APPLY:

Submit cover letter, resume and references to: Kennard Alumni Association Inc., P. O. Box 213, Centreville, MD 21617 or kennardalumniassociation@gmail.com

Kennard Alumni Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Summer is in full swing at KAACHC. View our August 2024 Newletter to see the latest happenings! View the newsletter here.

Kennard Alumni receives $140,000 in National Grant Funding

Kennard Alumni Association received $140,000 in funding from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, a program from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This funding will support the hiring of an Executive Director to manage the programs and operation of the Kennard African American Cultural Heritage Center and Museum.

“We are grateful to the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund for their support of the Kennard African American Cultural Heritage Center and Museum and our dedication to telling stories of African American achievement and resilience,” said Clayton Washington, President. “This funding will allow us to put in place, someone to carry forth our mission of programming and events that model the rich history and culture of African Americans in Queen Anne’s County.”

“The National Grant Program represents the Action Fund’s enduring commitment to telling the full American story – one that makes room for Black resilience, creativity, and achievement,” said Brent Leggs, Executive Director of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund. “History is crucial to our nation’s understanding of where we’ve come from, who we are today, and how we envision our future. These grants will support critical preservation efforts to revitalize and sustain tangible links to our shared past that we hope will inspire future generations.”

The Kennard Alumni Association, which owns and oversees the center is one of 30 sites to receive a total of $3 million in grant funding to advance ongoing preservation activities for historic sites, buildings, and landscapes that represent Black cultural heritage. With more than $140 million raised, the Action Fund is the largest U.S. resource dedicated to the preservation of African American historic places.

To learn more about this program and this year’s grant recipients, visit savingplaces.org/actionfund.

Greetings from Kennard Alumni Association!

With Spring upon us and Summer approaching, I thought this would be a great time to let you know what’s been going on at the Kennard African American Cultural Heritage Center and what’s coming up.

Please read the latest issue of our newsletter for updates on:

• Kennard Celebrates Black History Month
• Water’s Edge: Black Watermen of the Chesapeake
  Featuring artwork and photos!
• Local African American Heroes Video Series Updates

CHECK OUT THE NEWSLETTER HERE!

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1704821535372{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Thank you to all who have supported, in any way, the mission of the Kennard African American Cultural Heritage Center and Museum over this past year!

We invite you to review our latest newsletter for photos from our 2023 Gala and news about upcoming events in the year ahead.

Click here to read more! December Newsletter[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]