(a)

1. (1) The Curtis H. Sykes Memorial Grant Program was established by Acts 2009, No. 660, of the General Assembly.

2. (2)

   1. (A) The Curtis H. Sykes Memorial Grant Program honors the work of Curtis H. Sykes (1930 – 2007), who was instrumental in the establishment of the Black History Advisory Committee (now the Black History Commission of Arkansas).
   2. (B) The Black History Commission of Arkansas was created by Acts 1991, No. 1233, and is composed of seven (7) persons appointed by the Governor with the approval of the Senate.
3. (3) Mr. Sykes served as the group’s chairman from 1993 until his death in 2007.
4. (4) Mr. Sykes was a school principal and educator for more than thirty-four (34) years.
5. (5) He was an active scholar and historian, and a tireless community activist.

(b) The goals of the Curtis H. Sykes Memorial Grant Program support the mission of the Black History Commission of Arkansas and include:

1. (1) Collecting materials bearing on the history of black Arkansans from the earliest times;
2. (2) Encouraging historical work and research in the background of black Arkansans to help the young citizens of the state and all others appreciate their heritage;
3. (3) Assisting with the performance of work in relation to the history of black Arkansans; and
4. (4) Making available programs and projects on the history and heritage of African Americans.

(c)

1. (1) Grant applications will be reviewed and evaluated as to their relevance to the mission and goals of the Curtis H. Sykes Memorial Grant Program by the members of the Black History Commission of Arkansas.
2. (2) The Black History Commission of Arkansas will make all funding decisions.

(d) These guidelines:

1. (1) Describe our competitive grant application process; and
2. (2) Reflect grant application guidelines in effect as of January 2015.