Journeys to Success: Jaha Cummings and the Blanchard House Institute

Briefly describe your organization and its mission:

Blanchard House Institute (BHI) supports 250+ underinvested and rural communities impacted by Urban Renewal and historic neglect to address the gap where the American Dream has remained unfulfilled. We serve at the nexus of historic preservation, fostering bi-partisan support for local elected officials and promoting heritage tourism for economic development.

Recently, BHI launched the Louisiana Heritage Tourism Corridor as a Commitment to Action (CTA) at this year's Clinton Global Initiative (CGI).

BHI is excited to share that we have recently received approval to explore the development of a potential new Commitment to Action for CGI: the creation of the Hispanic American Heritage Corridor (in Florida). This initiative aims to promote entrepreneurship, particularly among women, while celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Hispanic Americans. This CTA would launch in September 2025 during National Hispanic Heritage Month and the UN General Assembly in New York City.

The Hispanic American Heritage Corridor aims to honor and elevate the extraordinary contributions of Hispanic Americans to Florida’s rich cultural and economic tapestry. By serving as a catalyst for economic mobility, we seek to spotlight the remarkable surge in Hispanic entrepreneurship, particularly among women. Our commitment is twofold: to support entrepreneurship within the broader Hispanic community and to assist non-employer firms in becoming employer firms, emphasizing the importance of job creation.

Share the special journey your organization has experienced:

Blanchard House Institute’s vision took shape on the final day of the 2022 Leadership Florida Annual Meeting at the Loews Hotel in Orlando. This initiative was inspired by the gift of the historic Jean Cleveland House, one of only two remaining examples of its vernacular architecture in Historic Punta Gorda. The Jean Cleveland House will be used to expand the Blanchard House Museum through the creation of Florida’s first Cultural Heritage Center. Plans include permanent exhibits on the Golden Age of African American Business Districts across the country and a 12-seat restaurant designed to provide earned income for its operation.

Funding to preserve and relocate the Jean Cleveland House was made possible through a $480,800 grant from the Florida Department of State, awarded as part of a $60 million capital projects initiative supporting facilities that highlight the contributions, culture, and history of African Americans in Florida. This grant award was included in the state budget signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on June 3, 2022.

BHI’s work inspired the unanimous bi-partisan passage of Senate Bill 509 that developed the Oklahoma Civil Rights Trail which unlocked $1.5M+ in state support and created a funding vehicle to promote heritage tourism to spur economic development.

BHI has been supported by The 2030 Fund, AARP, ABFE, ASALH, CECP, Clinton Global Initiative, Concordia, Google Arts & Culture, HIMSS, James Beard Foundation, NEA, National Park Foundation, National Park Service, National Trust for Historic Preservation, OECD, Operation HOPE, Publix, RW Institute, ULI, and other leading institutions. BHI is an accredited NGO advisor to UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and is a coalition partner of Milken Institute’s 10,000 Communities Initiative.

Share a leadership lesson you have used to assist in your organization’s success:

Insist on only the best for those whom you advocate for, recognize the power and potential of bipartisan leadership, and be open to cultivating unlikely partnerships to achieve your goals.

What advice do you have for other businesses who are either starting or trying to grow their organization?

Your network is your greatest resource when starting or trying to grow your organization. In sharing your vision with those in your network, they are able to introduce you to people in their networks who may assist you in achieving your goals.

Thank you to our sponsor!