BBR Power Move Score: 96/100
Industry: Historic Preservation • Nonprofit Leadership • Community Development • Philanthropy
Location: Washington, D.C.
For decades, historic preservation was often viewed as the work of protecting buildings from demolition. Brent Leggs has spent his career redefining that mission. Under his leadership, preservation has become a catalyst for economic development, community revitalization and the recognition of African American history as an essential part of the American story. Brent Leggs has shown how vital these efforts are.
Now serving as the 11th President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Leggs is leading one of the nation’s most influential preservation organizations while continuing to expand the impact of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, the largest initiative in U.S. history dedicated to preserving Black historic places.
Additionally, Brent Leggs emphasizes the importance of community involvement in these preservation efforts.
With a focus on Black history, Brent Leggs has helped communities understand their cultural significance.
His innovative strategies have made Brent Leggs a respected figure in the field.
This initiative showcases how Brent Leggs has changed the landscape of preservation.
The impact of Brent Leggs extends beyond just preservation—it encompasses economic growth.
Brent Leggs: A Visionary Leader in Historic Preservation
As a leader, Brent Leggs is committed to fostering inclusivity in preservation.
This week, the Action Fund announced $3 million in grants to support 27 historic Black places across the United States through its National Grant Program and Conserving Black Modernism initiative. The investment will help preserve churches, schools, neighborhoods, cultural landmarks and community institutions that tell the story of Black America while strengthening local economies through heritage tourism and neighborhood revitalization.
For Leggs, the announcement represents another milestone in a career devoted to changing how America values its cultural assets. Since launching the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund in 2017, the initiative has raised more than $200 million and supported over 430 preservation projects nationwide, making it the country’s largest resource dedicated to preserving places connected to Black history.
A native of Paducah, Kentucky, Leggs has spent more than two decades with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Before becoming President and CEO, he served as the founding Executive Director of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, where he helped transform preservation into a powerful economic and social-development strategy. His work has demonstrated that restoring historically significant places creates opportunities for entrepreneurship, tourism, workforce development and community investment—not simply historical recognition.
The projects supported reflect the vision of Brent Leggs for a more equitable future.
In this context, Brent Leggs highlights the economic value of preserving Black history.
Under Brent Leggs, the impact of philanthropy on preservation has been transformative.
Ultimately, Brent Leggs is paving the way for future generations in historic preservation.
Leggs has also led preservation efforts involving nationally significant sites connected to Madam C. J. Walker, Joe Frazier’s Gym, Villa Lewaro, Harriet Tubman’s home, Muddy Waters’ home, and numerous historically Black churches, schools and neighborhoods. His vision has helped broaden the definition of preservation to include stories and communities that were historically overlooked.
His appointment as President and CEO marks a historic moment for the National Trust. In assuming leadership of the organization, Leggs has emphasized that preservation should serve as a platform for education, reconciliation, economic opportunity and civic engagement.
“As I take the helm as CEO, that work doesn’t change—it deepens,” Leggs said following his appointment, reaffirming his commitment to building a more inclusive preservation movement that reflects the full American story.
The latest $3 million grant announcement illustrates that philosophy in action. The funding will support projects in communities across the country, helping preserve landmarks that represent Black entrepreneurship, education, faith, civil rights, architecture and cultural achievement. Beyond protecting historic buildings, these investments are expected to generate local economic activity through construction, tourism, educational programming and neighborhood redevelopment.
For Black Business Review readers, Leggs’ leadership offers an important reminder that preserving history can also create economic value. Historic districts often attract new businesses, restaurants, cultural institutions and tourism dollars while strengthening community identity. By viewing preservation through the lens of investment rather than nostalgia, Leggs has helped establish a model that combines heritage with sustainable economic growth.
His work also reflects a broader trend in modern philanthropy. Foundations and institutional investors increasingly recognize that cultural preservation supports workforce development, place-based investment and community resilience. Under Leggs’ leadership, the Action Fund has attracted transformational support from organizations including the Ford Foundation, Mellon Foundation, Freedom Together Foundation, Lilly Endowment Inc., and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, significantly expanding its national reach.
As the National Trust enters its next chapter, Leggs’ leadership positions the organization to continue protecting America’s historic places while demonstrating that preservation is not simply about honoring the past—it is about investing in the future.
For Black Business Review, Brent Leggs represents one of the country’s most influential nonprofit executives. His ability to combine visionary leadership, philanthropy and economic development has transformed preservation into a national movement that strengthens communities, creates opportunity and ensures that the stories of Black America remain visible for generations to come.
BBR Executive Quote
“Preservation is more than protecting buildings. It is about preserving opportunity, strengthening communities and ensuring that the full story of Black America continues to inspire future generations.”
“Preservation is more than protecting buildings. It is about preserving opportunity, strengthening communities and ensuring that the full story of Black America continues to inspire future generations.”
“Preservation is more than protecting buildings. It is about preserving opportunity, strengthening communities and ensuring that the full story of Black America continues to inspire future generations.”
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