EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION

Discover the timeline of Houston’s black history, highlighting the story of Africans on the continent of Africa and during the Middle Passage; their arrival to Texas, particularly through the port of Galveston, beginning with Estevanico in 1529; the experiences of enslaved African Americans in Houston; the story of emancipation and Juneteenth; and its celebrations at Emancipation Park. The exhibit contextualizes Juneteenth from the perspective of those who were emancipated. This includes the stories of both enslavement and emancipation in the state of Texas, the establishment of Juneteenth as a holiday, the creation of Emancipation Park, and the important leaders who led the way. It will also have significant sections on the amazing contributions that occurred during the Reconstruction Period such as the establishment of the city’s first Black churches and educational institutions, particularly led by Richard Brock, Elias Dibble, and Jack Yates. Additionally, it will cover significant events of the 20th century such as the 1917 Riot and the desegregation of the city in the late 1960s.  See the historic neighborhoods including Freedmen’s Town, one of the first areas founded by Black Houstonians, and Third Ward, the Black neighborhood with the most in-tact cultural and historical sites. Artistic and cultural contributions from pioneers like Sally Bowie Daniels, who for decades ran one of the city’s first Black-owned dance studios and trained the legendary Debbie Allen, to the city’s first Black mayor, Lee P. Brown, who established the Houston Museum of African American Culture. Learn about little-known histories of the Almeda Post Office, the site of the first non-violent civil rights demonstration in the city, as well as pop culture destinations such as Frenchy’s Creole Kitchen and Screwed Up Records and Tapes. 

The curator, a professional educator, ensured to incorporate maps, historical images and artwork, artifacts, and a comprehensive, interactive timeline. The maps and images display the movement from Africa into Texas as well as a map of the Houston-Galveston region, show the important landmarks such as Emancipation Park, Freedom Tree Park, and the port of Galveston. Historical images include photographs of key figures such as Jack Yates and Elias Dibble, in addition to artwork sourced from local artists that displays the city’s history. Relevant artifacts were sourced such as records of enslaved Africans in the Houston-Galveston area and documents from prominent leaders. The sourcing of these historical items calls for the participation of the sites featured in the book.  The interactive timeline provides a written historical context as well as audio and visual elements such as video and audio interviews and actor re-enactments.

ABOUT THE CURATOR AND AUTHOR

Dr. Lindsay Gary is a historian, Africologist, writer, professor-scholar, multidisciplinary artivist, and Afrocentric entrepreneur whose mission is to educate, connect, and empower the African Diaspora.

Dr. Lindsay Gary graduated with a BA in History and minors in Dance and Business Administration, and with an MA in History, an MPA in Public Policy, and an MFA in Dance. She has a PhD in Africology and African American Studies. In 2018, she was selected as a Mellon Scholar in African American History at the Library Company of Philadelphia. She obtained her Graduate Certificate in African American Studies, and is a recipient of the Molefi Kete Asante Founder’s Award. She is a certified online and distance education professor and has received a Teaching in Higher Education Certification.

Her dissertation research is entitled Africans in Louisiana: An Afrocentric Analysis of Southwest Louisiana’s Culture Through the Lens of Spirituality. Other presentations include Cecile Fatiman: Entering the Haitian Revolution (College of William and Mary), The Role of the Professor in Addressing Racism on the Collegiate Level (Healing Racism Conference), and The Legacy of the Black American Cowboys (African Renaissance Festival). Her scholarly publications include “Writing and Activism: A Political Perspective on Afro-Latinas’ Struggle in Colombia, Brazil, and the Caribbean” (chapter in AfroLatinas and LatiNegras) and “Education” (encyclopedia entry in African-American Activism and Political Engagement: An Encyclopedia of Empowerment).

She teaches courses in History, Africology/African American Studies, and Dance.

Gary is the Mother (founder) of several businesses. She is the Executive Director of The Re-Education Project (501c3), the Artistic and Executive Director of Dance Afrikana LLC, and the CEO of Isegun Enterprises LLC (home to Afrikanah Book Club, Sawari Tours, Maarifa Courses & Curriculum, Black Charm & Osumare, and Gumbo: The Podcast). As an Afrocentric entrepreneur, she believes that her businesses are much more than Black-owned, but have a mission to be centered on the benefit and liberation of the African community worldwide.

She was born and raised on Karankawa, Akokisa, and Atakapa-Ishak lands (Houston, Texas), and is an Afro-Louisianian of Mandinka, Balanta, Temne, Hausa, Malagasy, Tsogo, Ateke, Kota, Kongo, and Fon heritage. She conducts much of her work in her neighborhood of the historic Third Ward, in South Louisiana (her recent ancestral roots), in Philadelphia, and throughout Africa and the African Diaspora. She has traveled to 37 countries.

Made Possible By: The Heritage Society’s exhibits, tours, events, and programs are funded in part by a grant from the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance. Funding for these grants has been provided by Humanities Texas and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of the federal ARP Act.