African Queen Mother: The history of an iconic sculpture on TSU’s campus
In front of the Martin Luther King building at Texas Southern University is an iconic sculpture called African Queen Mother. The sculpture showcases a portion of Black history lost during slavery and symbolizes the triumphant journey of TSU. It highlights the early pioneers and supporters who made way for the next generation of artists.
Father inspired by childhood fishing memories works to promote inclusion on the water
At a young age, the Houston outdoorsman and fisherman noticed there were not many fishermen that looked like him and decided to take matters into his own hands. “I grew up in Sunnyside in Houston, Texas, “ Franklin said. “I’ve been watching fishing television shows for years. Until recently, you never saw anyone that looked like my dad, let alone me, promoting the outdoors.”
Seen at 7: Genealogy Workshop; Search for Lost Relatives after Emancipation
The Holocaust Museum Houston is hosting a free event Saturday, February 11, called The Genealogy Workshop - The Search for Lost Relatives After Emancipation. The event will explore the practice of formerly enslaved persons placing ads in newspapers hoping to reconnect with family.
‘100 and fabulous’: Happy Birthday Mrs. Ida Mae Ellison
On Feb. 22, 1922, Congress authorized the Grant Memorial $1 coin, London issued a unilateral declaration of Egyptian independence and a baby girl, Ida Mae, was born to Elton and Lorene Porter in Gonzalez, Texas. Still as beautiful as the day she was born, a century later, this amazing woman is celebrating her 100th birthday!
Stronger Houston: Harris County partners with Black-owned bank for first relationship of its kind
They are rejoicing in Harris County with historic news to tell. An institution that has been a major support to churches like Wheeler Avenue Baptist, restaurants, barber shops, and other businesses over seven decades is celebrating another milestone -- a first of its kind partnership.
National museum in Houston preserving black military history
The units were identified as the 9th and 10th cavalry and the 38th 39th 40th and 41st infantry regiments. The four infantry regiments were later reorganized to form the 24th and 25th infantry regiments. These fighting men represented the first Black professional soldiers in a peacetime army. The museum has tons of virtual and in-person programs where you can learn more about the history of African American soldiers. Click here to find out more about their upcoming “Night at the Museum” in July, 2021 and the other events the museum will be hosting.
Voices of Houston: Texas Air National guardsman overcomes adversity to earn highest enlisted rank
HOUSTON – Texas Air National Guardsman Charles Jackson is no stranger to adversity. These are three words which Charles Jackson personifies. He earned the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, which is the highest enlisted rank in the Air Force. “It’s a culmination of my 36 years of service, that I am now called Chief Jackson,” said Jackson. “We in a rare, rare position where we positively Affect an airman each and every day,” said Jackson.
Houston’s treasure ‘The Gite Gallery’ spotlighting black artists and African culture
HOUSTON – The gallery features beautiful and unique art and artifacts that include original paintings, hand carved wooden statues, bronze sculptures, tribal masks and hats, brightly colored textiles, select vintage accent furniture and more, all from sub-Saharan Africa according to the gallery’s website. Gallery founder and owner Lloyd Gite’s love of African art can be traced back to his childhood, where he always had an intuitive fascination with the continent. Lloyd’s former career in television journalism led him to travel extensively throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Caribbean. Having been to Africa over 35 times, Lloyd recalls how he became the prominent African art dealer that he is today,Last month, The Gite Gallery hosted an exhibition "I AM BLACK" by Maxwell. It was nice to gather and see many of you in... Posted by The Gite Gallery on Monday, November 2, 2020Click here to find out how you can get these beautiful pieces of artwork in your own home or any other information about the gallery you would like to discover.
Emancipation Park and its deep-rooted history in Houston
HOUSTON – It was known as the only park blacks were able to congregate at and is now known as the oldest park not only in Houston, but in the state of Texas. The effort in getting Emancipation Park was led by the Reverend Jack Yates, a Baptist minister and former slave. His church, Antioch Baptist, and Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church formed the Colored People’s Festival and the Emancipation Park Association. President Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation and published it on January 1, 1863, but it did not reach Texas for two years. The park now host several in-person and now virtual programs which can be found by clicking here.
Houston Texans order 250 bottles of wine from Black-owned winery for its Black History baskets
HOUSTON – One Houston winery is full of joy after receiving a request from the Houston Texans. The NFL team ordered 250 bottles of wine for its Black History baskets, according to Twitter user @Madwine_chemist. The Houston Texans just order 250 bottles of wine for their Black History baskets. — Mad Wine Chemist 🍷 (@madwine_chemist) February 8, 2021The Twitter users family owns ErmaRise Winery in Katy, which is an award-winning, Black-owned winery. Click here to learn more about the winery.
Houston’s Ebony Opera Guild continues long standing legacy developing African American singers
HOUSTON – The mission of Houston Ebony Opera Guild is to provide performance and on-going professional development opportunities for African-American choral and opera singers from Houston and the nation; to foster, in broad-based audiences, an appreciation of opera and concert music including the African American Spiritual; and to sustain and expand the African American presence in voice-associated classical music in general. The guild was founded by the late Dr. Robert A. Henry (1916–1996) and presented occasional concerts in Houston and elsewhere during the late 1980′s. Through its parent body, Houston Ebony Music Society, Inc., Ebony Opera Guild became a formal, tax-exempt organization in 1992 and produced Porgy and Bess, its very first opera. AdTo celebrate Black History, the guild has organized a concert saluting African American women as composers, singers, conductors, and instrumentalists. Featuring solo, piano, and choral works titled the 2021 Virtual African American Gala where you can finds tickets to by clicking here to help support the guild and it’s talent.
Crews clean up historic Black cemetery vandalized in Austin
AUSTIN, Texas – Austin city crews and some community members united Wednesday to remove graffiti from more than a dozen headstones at a historic cemetery for Black residents. Vandals defaced nearly 15 headstones earlier this week at the Evergreen Cemetery in East Austin, the city’s first major municipal cemetery for Black people, according to Austin police. East side 😤 Posted by Sarah Long on Monday, September 21, 2020About 12,000 people have been buried in Evergreen Cemetery, including some from the African American community and civic leaders. Black residents had been laid to rest in shared sites before the cemetery was created in 1926. Nyeka Arnold, a co-founder of the local organization Black Austin Coalition, told the Austin American-Statesmen that she was heartbroken and furious after finding out one of her family’s headstones was damaged.
Houston Museum of African American Culture reopens on Juneteenth
HOUSTON – The Houston Museum of African American Culture is scheduled to reopen on Juneteenth after the COVID-19 closure. “Juneteenth really represents when all Americans were free,” said John Guess, Jr., CEO of HMAAC. There’s the prospect of a quote on quote, ‘freedom,’” said Guess. The conversation of race is at the forefront in our country, considering the death of George Floyd and protests calling for equality for the African American community. The museum is located 4807 Caroline in Houston’s Museum District.
Virtual events commemorate Juneteenth at Houstons Emancipation Park
HOUSTON Emancipation Park Conservancy hosted a virtual Juneteenth event so despite COVID-19, people can continue to learn about Juneteenth. Every year, thousands of people flock to Emancipation Park for the annual Juneteenth celebration, but this year, it was quiet. Emancipation Park was purchased by four people in 1872 to commemorate the end of slavery and provide a place for the annual Juneteenth celebrations. During segregation, Emancipation Park was the only public park African Americans could use. Emancipation Park is the oldest park in Houston and one of the oldest across the state.
Juneteenth celebrations around the country mark the day enslaved Texans were finally told they are free 155 years ago
I do not doubt that other black families around the state were engaged in similar celebrations for the day saluting African American heritage. It is the African American Fourth of July; the Emancipation Proclamation its Declaration of Independence. Along the way, I educated myself about black history, picking up bits and pieces from stories in Afrocentric publications, like Jet and Ebony magazines. However, according to Turner, there was a noticeable shift in Juneteenth celebrations after World War I. (Unfortunately, because of the COVID-19 crisis and social distancing measures, this years Juneteenth celebrations remain uncertain.)
Meet Sgt. Maj. James Williams, one of the last Buffalo Soldier alive today
HOUSTON – You may have heard the Bob Marley song, but do you know the true story of the legendary Buffalo Soldiers? Click here to learn their origin story, and then watch our exclusive interview with Houston’s own Sgt. Maj. James Williams, believed to be one of the last surviving Buffalo Soldiers. KPRC 2 Salutes the many shades of Black History, present and future.