Black Belt Community Foundation – A focus on Lowndes County

The Black Belt Community Foundation (BBCF) is active in Lowndes County through the disbursement of arts and community grants along with other civic projects.

Lowndes County is located in the central part of Alabama and is one of the 12 Black Belt counties serviced by the BBCF. Hayneville serves as the county seat.

Lowndes County is home to picturesque rolling prairies and plains with abundant forests of pine and oak. The Alabama River, with its 144 species of fish, meanders throughout the county, allowing sportsmen to enhance the economic landscape of the area.

Annual events include the Calico Fort Arts and Crafts Fair and The Okra Festival.

Demographically, the county’s population of 9.8 thousand residents is 73% Black, and 25% white.

Lowndes County was the site of the Battle of Econochaca (Holy Ground), where Red Stick Creeks were defeated by the American Militia in 1813. Subsequent legislation allowed for the legal founding of Lowndesboro by planter settlers. Thirty of their antebellum structures, built by enslaved people, still exist today as historical landmarks.

Lowndes County entered the consciousness of America during the civil rights movement. With an active history of lynchings (16, including Elmore Bolling) in the 20th century, “Bloody Lowndes” was the home of the “Black Panther” political symbol (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee’s (SNCC), the Lowndes County Freedom Organization, 22 miles of the Selma to Montgomery march for voting rights and “Tent City” – the 2-year demonstration home of citizens evicted for voter activity.

Those living in Lowndes County can access the resources of the BBCF or donate to the organization through one of your local Community Associates. Patricia M. Farrior serves as BBCF board member for Lowndes County and community associates are Dale Braxton, Rutha Davis-Bonner and Shirley McCall.

The foundation is offering community and arts grant opportunities open to community-based organizations operating within its 12-county service area comprising Bullock, Choctaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Perry, Pickens, Sumter and Wilcox counties.

Lowndes County recipients of 2023 arts and community grants include:

• Burkville Volunteer Fire Department;
• Hayneville/Lowndes County Public Library; and
• R.E.A.C.H. (Rural Enrichment Assessing Community Hands).

For more information, call (334) 674-1126, email info@blackbeltfound.org or visit blackbeltfound.org.