African American Heritage

Juneteenth and Beyond

Journey through African American culture and heritage in Texas — an experience that includes hardships and triumphs, valor and determination, influence and change.

Credit: Sarah Page

The story of the African American presence in Texas history follows the familiar script written for every other southern region in the nation: slavery brought most African Americans to the state. By the mid-1800s, slavery played an important role in Texas' economic development and, in fact, enslaved African Americans comprised 30 percent of the state's population by 1860. Freedom for the African American in Texas finally arrived on June 19, 1865, known as Juneteenth, and the end of the Civil War. After secession and during reconstruction, federal intervention was required once again to ensure the protection of civil rights in Texas, ushering in an era that saw African Americans helping the Texas economy recover from the Civil War, serving in the state legislature, and helping to guide the state toward a freer, more democratic society.

Their success was short-lived, however, as segregation established a grip on the state that wouldn't be released for another 60 years. Despite what seemed like impossible odds during this period, African Americans in Texas were able to build communities and businesses, allowing economies and cultures to thrive. Today, we recognize the important contributions made by African Americans to Texas by commemorating their heritage in our museums, with our celebrations, and in our history books.

Journey through the African American culture and heritage in Texas

Credit: Texas Historical Commission

Travel Guide

Download African Americans in Texas: A Lasting Legacy (PDF), published in 2011, or request the guide in print.

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Mobile Tour

Go mobile with the African Americans in Texas mobile tour, featuring a rich blend of images, videos, first-person interviews, maps, and useful visitor information for exploring historical sites across Texas.

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Watch the African Americans in Texas video series on the Texas Historical Commission's YouTube Channel or here on the site below to learn more about African American cultural heritage in Texas.

African Americans in Texas

Relationship to the Land: Cultivating a Future
The Real Work of Slaves: Levi Jordan Plantation
Freedmen's Communities: Sharing Independence
The Story of Shankleville
Shankleville's Homecoming
Music: Raising a Voice
Education: Moving Forward
Rosenwald Schools in Texas
Hannah Hall Murals at Texas Southern University
Seminole Scouts: Blending African and Native Identity
Playing the Chitlin' Circuit: Victory Grill
Civil Rights: Gaining Ground
Barbara Jordan: A Legislative Pioneer
Professions: Making a Mark
Dr. Maria Franklin: Anthropologist
Samuel Lee Collins III: Preserving Family Histories
Heroes of History: Black Heritage in Texas