About Us
Building Community Power Through Heritage, Leadership, and Economic Opportunity
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Concerned Black American Citizens, Inc. (CBAC) is a descendant-led nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing recognition, restoration, and self-determination for Freedmen families—the descendants of emancipated American chattel slaves.
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Founded in 2019, CBAC was created from a belief that the communities most affected by historical exclusion must have the opportunity to participate in designing, implementing, and governing the solutions intended to benefit them. Our work is rooted in the understanding that lasting progress requires more than advocacy alone—it requires institutions, leadership, resources, and community ownership.
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Since our founding, CBAC has evolved from a grassroots advocacy organization into a trusted nonprofit partner providing grant administration, fiscal sponsorship, technical assistance, leadership development, and community-based programming. Throughout that evolution, our commitment has remained the same: helping communities access opportunities, strengthen organizational capacity, preserve heritage, and build lasting prosperity for future generations.
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Today, CBAC works at the intersection of heritage preservation, community development, workforce advancement, and civic engagement. Through advocacy, grant administration, fiscal sponsorship, technical assistance, and educational programming, we help individuals and organizations access resources, strengthen capacity, and create lasting community impact.
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What We Do
Preserve Heritage and Lineage
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We support genealogy research, beneficiary documentation, community storytelling, and historical preservation initiatives that help families reconnect with their history and preserve it for future generations.
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Strengthen Community Organizations
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Through fiscal sponsorship, grant administration, compliance support, and technical assistance, we help emerging organizations develop the capacity necessary to secure funding and sustain long-term impact.
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Develop Leaders
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We provide educational opportunities, training programs, workshops, and leadership development initiatives that prepare individuals to serve their communities effectively.
Build Community Infrastructure
We work to increase access to resources, partnerships, and opportunities that strengthen economic mobility, civic engagement, and community resilience.​
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Our Vision​
We envision a future where Freedmen families possess the institutional capacity, historical documentation, economic resources, and civic influence necessary to preserve their heritage, exercise self-determination, and create lasting prosperity for future generations.
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Our Commitment
CBAC believes that communities are strongest when they are equipped to lead, advocate, preserve their history, and build institutions that reflect their values and aspirations.
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We are committed to ensuring that the descendants of emancipated American chattel slaves remain visible, empowered, and equipped to shape the future they deserve.
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Partner With Us
Whether you are a funder, community organization, government agency, or grassroots leader, CBAC is committed to building partnerships that transform resources into measurable community impact.
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CBAC boardmember, K. Barnett, CBAC Volunteer, F Mullen and CBAC prez at our Karaoke Bingo Fundraraiser
CBAC VOLUNTEERS
Donna Frederick, Felicia Mullen
Our Volunteers
The work of Concerned Black American Citizens (CBAC), Inc. is made possible by the dedication of volunteers who generously contribute their time, talents, and expertise in service to the community. From welcoming visitors and supporting educational programs to assisting with genealogy research, outreach, special events, and administrative projects, our volunteers play an essential role in advancing our mission.
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Each volunteer represents a commitment to preserving history, strengthening families, and building institutions that will serve future generations. Whether sharing professional skills or simply lending a helping hand, they are helping transform vision into action and ensuring that our work reaches more individuals and families every year.
We are grateful for every volunteer who chooses to invest in this mission.
Together, we are reclaiming our legacy and building a stronger future.
Dawn Paige, Founder & President
CBAC BoardMembers
Dawn Alston Paige is an executive, financial professional, and community advocate with more than 30 years of leadership experience spanning investment management, public finance, business development, real estate, nonprofit leadership, and public policy. Throughout her career, she has combined financial expertise with civic engagement, working to strengthen institutions, advance economic opportunity, and promote policies that support historically underserved communities.​​
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In 2019, Dawn founded Concerned Black American Citizens, Inc. (CBAC), a descendant-led nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing recognition, restoration, and self-determination for Freedmen families. Under her leadership, CBAC has evolved from a grassroots advocacy organization into a trusted provider of grant administration, fiscal sponsorship, community engagement, and organizational capacity-building services.​
Our Team
The Board of Directors of Concerned Black American Citizens (CBAC), Inc. provides the strategic leadership, governance, and fiduciary oversight that advances the organization's mission to educate, empower, and strengthen Black American descendant communities. Guided by a commitment to historical truth, institutional excellence, and community accountability, our board ensures that every initiative reflects the organization's values and long-term vision.
