Oakland Roots Academy Wins Two National Awards

We are excited to share that the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) has selected Historic Oakland Foundation (HOF) as a recipient of the History in Progress (HIP) Award and Award of Excellence for the Oakland Roots Academy, HOF’s workforce development program for high school students across Metro Atlanta.

Formerly known as the Youth Hardscape & Landscape Team, the Roots Academy is an opportunity for students to learn and grow their employment skills alongside Oakland's award-winning Horticulture & Preservation professionals.  

“With an increased emphasis on student leadership and civic engagement, we have seen the efficacy and impact of the program reach a wider audience of students throughout the application, interview, and summer experience,” said Ted Ward, HOF’s Director of Education & Youth Programs.

The AASLH Leadership in History Awards are the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history. The HIP Award, given at the discretion of the AASLH Awards Committee, is an additional award for an Award of Excellence winner whose nomination is highly inspirational, exhibits exceptional scholarship, and/or is exceedingly entrepreneurial in terms of funding, partnerships, collaborations, creative problem solving, unusual project design, or inclusiveness. Only 5 percent or less of the total number of Award of Excellence winners can be given the HIP Award.

“Receiving these awards is a testament to the way the Roots Academy program has grown over the past three years,” said HOF CEO & president, Richard Harker.  “As the quantity and interest of the student participants expanded, we responded by extending the summer program to provide a year-round leadership development track for selected students completing the Roots Academy summer program.”  

Students attend monthly leadership seminars throughout the school year, while also diving deeper into Oakland's Horticulture and Preservation programs through leadership in annual volunteer days for each department.  This leadership program culminates with students attending Park Pride's annual Parks & Greenspace Conference to connect with industry leaders and develop partnerships for their return to Oakland the following summer.

In the summer of 2026, we incorporated the Green Skills Crew (first-year cohort), which is mentored and led by the Green Leaders Crew (second-year cohort) students who completed the leadership development program.  This structure has enabled Oakland to expand the philanthropic support for the program and grow the program to serve 30 students in the summer of 2026. Learn more about Oakland Roots Academy at oaklandcemetery.com/roots-academy.