Thomas D. Clark Foundation
The Thomas D. Clark Foundation Pursues A Historian’s Vision
The late, distinguished historian Thomas D. Clark dedicated his life to raising the level of scholarship about Kentucky and its region and making it accessible to scholars and citizens. The foundation, a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization founded in 1994 and run by a board of committed volunteers, carries on Clark’s legacy through its support of the University Press of Kentucky and special educational projects.
The nonprofit Thomas D. Clark Foundation supports the University Press of Kentucky (UPK) by helping to fund important books about Kentucky, by ensuring UPK has up-to-date technologies to meet the demands of modern publishing, and by serving as a strong statewide advocate for the press.
The foundation, incorporated in 1994, is named after the late distinguished historian Thomas D. Clark, who played a central role in the founding of UPK. The foundation, incorporated in 1994, is named after the late distinguished historian Thomas D. Clark, who played a central role in the founding of UPK.
Mission: It’s mission is to support the award-winning University Press of Kentucky (UPK) which publishes high quality scholarly and general interest books that tell the nation and the world about the unique history and culture of Kentucky and its region.
“There have been many all but nameless blacks, among them lawyers, doctors, businessmen, bankers, and ministers who have given social and economic directions to their people. Tragically no scholarly black historian has produced an objective history of the Negro’s role in Kentucky. Until this is done this aspect of social and economic growth in the Commonwealth cannot be fully described. There is an abundance of virginal historical documentary materials which awaits trustworthy and objective scholars of both races.” – Thomas D. Clark
Together, let’s make a commitment to change Kentucky’s classrooms
Though integral to Kentucky’s story and to America’s, Black history and culture aren’t widely taught in our state’s public schools. Far too many students have never heard of Emmett Till, Medgar Evers, Fannie Lou Hamer or Kentucky’s own Georgia Davis Powers. Of our vagrancy laws, “sundown towns,” poll taxes or slave patrols. This failing leaves a void that contributes to bias, intolerance, and conflict.
It is the belief of the Thomas D. Clark Foundation that rectifying this omission must begin in Kentucky’s classrooms. As such, we are committed to supporting resources to aid teachers at all grade levels in teaching Black history and culture.