Delaware Creates a Permanent African American Heritage Commission

In a vote with zero opposition in either chamber, the General Assembly affirms that Black history is Delaware’s history.

In a moment of rare and genuine bipartisan unity, the Delaware General Assembly passed Senate Bill 330, establishing the Delaware African American Heritage and Culture Commission — a permanent, state-funded body dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and sharing the rich history and contributions of Black Delawareans.

What does this mean in everyday terms? Imagine a permanent statewide team — appointed, funded, and empowered by law — whose specific job is to make sure that African American history, culture, art, and heritage are honored, taught, and protected in Delaware. The Commission will work to identify and preserve historical sites, support cultural programming, and ensure that Black Delaware’s story is told fully and accurately for generations to come.

The bill passed the Senate on June 11, 2026, with a vote of 19 to 0. It then cleared the House on June 25, 2026, with an overwhelming vote of 38 to 0. Not a single legislator voted against it in either chamber. That is not a common thing in today’s political climate, and it speaks to the moral clarity of this legislation.

The bipartisan sponsorship was broad and deep. In Sussex County, Republican Senators Eric Buckson, Gerald Hocker, David Lawson, Brian Pettyjohn, Bryant Richardson, and David Wilson all signed on as co-sponsors. So did Democratic Senator Russ Huxtable of Lewes. On the House side, Rep. Alonna Berry, who represents parts of Sussex County, was among the co-sponsors.

Senator Marie Pinkney (D), the bill’s lead Senate sponsor, and Representative Nnamdi Chukwuocha (D) led the charge in the House. Their work, and the work of more than 30 co-sponsors across both parties, made this possible.