Launched in April 2025, the Potomac Community Foundation is entering its first full year with a focused mission: honoring legacy while expanding opportunity for Montgomery County’s African American descendant communities. As the county approaches its 250th anniversary, the foundation’s work centers on ensuring descendant histories are fully recognized and meaningfully supported today.
Led by inaugural Executive Director Krystal Davis, the foundation operates at the intersection of history, education, and long-term investment. Early efforts have focused on uncovering overlooked narratives, building trust with descendant families, and rethinking how educational support can better reflect lived experience. Rather than functioning solely as a grantmaking organization, the Potomac Community Foundation positions itself as a long-term partner, translating historical understanding into tangible opportunities for future generations.
As the inaugural Executive Director, what drew you to the Potomac Community Foundation?
What drew me to PCF was the opportunity to build something that honors the past while creating new pathways forward. This work is deeply personal. I grew up in Montgomery County without realizing I was part of a descendant community with a rich history. Learning that later reshaped how I see myself and what I believe is possible. That realization now guides our work. When histories are visible, they inspire pride, confidence, and connection.
Why is preserving descendant history essential to expanding opportunity today?
Descendant families share a journey shaped by displacement, exclusion, and resilience that still influences trust, access, and belonging. When these histories remain invisible, so do the realities that shape opportunity. Without that understanding, well-intended efforts risk missing the mark. Bringing these narratives forward creates space for understanding, healing, and more equitable investment.
Why is a partnership with descendant communities central to PCF’s approach?
Meaningful progress begins with listening. Too often, decisions are made about communities rather than with them. Descendant communities have distinct lived experience, and honoring that knowledge leads to stronger, more lasting outcomes.
What early impact best reflects PCF’s direction?
In our first year, we’ve focused on building trust. We’ve strengthened academic support, engaged families as partners, and contributed to momentum behind the Montgomery History Center. For a young organization, our impact is reflected in relationships and a shared sense of long-term commitment.
As Montgomery County approaches its 250th anniversary, this moment calls for responsibility, not just recognition. Supporting legacy preservation, investing in education, and committing to sustained partnership will help descendant communities shape the county’s next chapter.
Learn more at potomaccommunityfoundation.org