Journey through African American culture and heritage in Texas — an experience that includes hardships and triumphs, valor and determination, influence and change.
The story of the African American presence in Texas history follows the familiar script written for every other southern state in the nation: slavery brought most African Americans to the region. 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. But freedom for the African American in Texas finally arrived via news from Galveston on June 19, 1865, a day now nationally recognized as Juneteenth.
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.
Rosenwald Schools
In 1917, the Rosenwald Fund, established by Sears, Roebuck and Company CEO Julius Rosenwald, provided matching finances to communities who…
Buffalo Soldiers: The Buffalo Warriors
Buffalo Soldiers, a name the Plains Indians gave to the African American cavalry regiments serving the frontier after the Civil…
Civil Rights: Lest We Forget The Struggle
Segregation, the norm in Texas from the end of the Civil War to 1965, ultimately could not withstand the resolve…
Hill Country Trail Region
508 N. Center Street San Antonio, TX 78202 (210) 227-2525 Website
Lakes Trail Region
1816 Routh Street Dallas, TX 75201 (214) 922-0000 Website
Lakes Trail Region
Bounded by Rosedale, Loop 820 South and Miller streets Fort Worth, TX 76119 Website
Hill Country Trail Region
1725 W 11th Street Austin, Texas 78703 (512) 472-3621 Website
Independence Trail Region
3340 Sweet Home Road Seguin, TX 78155
Hill Country Trail Region
1191 Navasota Austin, TX 78702
Lakes Trail Region
Located between 8th and East Clarendon, Plum and I-35. Dallas, TX 75203 (214) 670-4206 Website
Hill Country Trail Region
1100 Congress Avenue Austin, TX 78701 Website
Independence Trail Region
3100 Cleburne St. Houston, TX 77004 (713) 313-7011 Website
Hill Country Trail Region
1100 Congress Austin, TX 78701 Website
Independence Trail Region
2600 Holman Street Houston, TX 77004 (713) 528-2356 Website
Independence Trail Region
1702 North 13th St. West Columbia, TX 77486 (979) 345-4656 Website
Independence Trail Region
12300 Park Road 12 Washington, TX 77880 (936) 878-2214 Website
Hill Country Trail Region
FM 969 Austin, TX 78721
Hill Country Trail Region
224 S. Fredericksburg St. San Marcos, TX 78666 (512) 392-8034
Hill Country Trail Region
1164 San Bernard Street Austin, Texas 78702 (512) 478-7007 Website
Lakes Trail Region
300 Block of Wyatt Street Waxahachie, TX 75165 Website
Forest Trail Region
200 N Lanana Roughly bounded by Park Street, the Lanana Creek, Oak Grove Cemetery, and North Lanana Street Nacogdoches, TX 75961 (936) 560-4443 Website
