Fallon Samuels Aidoo, a professor of historic preservation in the University of New Orleans’ department of planning and urban studies, is a co-recipient of a $120,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Aidoo, an urban planning scholar, educator and practitioner with an expertise in historic preservation, received the grant in collaboration with the African American Heritage Trail of Martha's Vineyard in Massachussetts.

Aidoo’s research of African American homeownership and entrepreneurship on the Vineyard helps the public recognize the value and vulnerability of cottages, cottagers and their businesses in the past and present, according to the historic organization.

The grant will support the expansion of the organization’s research and outreach team, in addition to the hiring of a public historian to engage individuals and institutions in telling the full story of African American history and culture on Martha’s Vineyard.