Join us for an interactive afternoon of discussion and engagement as Houston Freedmen’s Town Conservancy (HFTC) reveals behind-the-scenes projects that they’ve started in collaboration with community partners to secure a bright and prosperous future for the historic Freedmen’s Town district, the “Harlem of the South”!
During our presentation, we will:
- Discuss the potential and importance of Freedmen’s Town being a World Heritage Site and a featured destination in the Emancipation National Historic Trail Study by the National Parks Service with a network of leaders from Houston First, UNESCO, the City of Houston, and more!
- Discuss The role of the Houston Freedmen’s Town Conservancy as a community partner and allied steward of the proposed Freedmen’s Town Heritage District.
- Share visioning and programming ideas from UTSA students and Grassroots leaders about the importance of Freedmen’s Town at an international level, and how it could benefit the local community
- Create a space for you to speak up during our Community shout-out/ “open mic”!
- Welcome featured Artivist Lindsay Gary of Dance Afrikana for a special performance!
Your voice and participation is essential to guide current and future projects toward community-supported outcomes. This will be your first opportunity to learn about projects that are still in “The Rebirth” planning phase and provide feedback on concepts and ideas.
The presentation will be live-streamed on CAMH’s Facebook, CAMH’s YouTube, and HFTC’s YouTube. Leave questions and comments on either platform during the live presentation for the guest panelists.
About Houston Freedmen’s Town Conservancy
Our mission is to preserve the historic legacy of Freedmen’s Town inspiring all through education and awareness of its unique story. The Conservancy was established in 2016 as a Mayoral Task Force and was formally designated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2018. The HFTC is engaged in several noteworthy projects including:
- Emancipation National Historic Trail Study Act – The HFTC was instrumental in securing Freedmen’s Town as part of the study, which captures the 51-mile route from Galveston to Freedmen’s Town, Emancipation Park, and Independence Heights (this was the path taken by newly freed slaves after emancipation).
- Visitors Center – Developing the first Freedmen’s Town Visitor Center in collaboration with the African American Library at the Gregory School and the Houston Public Library. This will provide the community and visitors with a place to gather, learn, and experience the living history of Freedmen’s Town through sight, sound and touch.
- Augmented Reality App – Launching “Freedmen’s Town – The Story of Freedom” an augmented reality app that will provide an immersive self-guided digital experience for heritage tourists and locals.
- Global Recognition – Long-range planning to support the goal of World Heritage Site Designation of the Freedmen’s Town Heritage District.
- Juneteenth – Collaborating with several local partners and regional organizations to support the “Juneteenth National Independence Day Act” in the House and Senate.