African American History In Houston

The month of February is finally here and that means it’s time to read up on a little African American history. This month in Houston, Texas the public library and a variety of places are hosting events to commemorate Black History.

It’s with honor and thankfulness that we recognize the many achievements of the sons and grandsons, daughters and granddaughters of former slaves.

Some of these African Americans who lived in past generations, other centuries and the past few years are unsung heroes whose inventions, ingenuity and integrity has shaped this country into a collective of strong united states.

Here is a short list of museums in Texas that house well known collections of Black History.

• Austin
• George Washington Carver Museum
• Dallas
• African American Museum of Dallas
• Fort Davis
• Fort Davis National Historic Site
• Fort Worth
• National Cowboys of Color Museum and Hall of Fame
• Houston
• Buffalo Soldiers National Museum

We plan to take part in a few of the Black History programs slated to recognize some of the talented African American entertainers, athletes, and authors that call Houston home. Maybe we'll run into you at one of the various branches of the Houston library that are hosting meet and greets, right in your neighborhood with some of today most popular Black authors in Houston.

An Evening with Cydney Rax
Thursday, February 17 | 5:30PM
Mancuso Neighborhood Library

An Evening with ReShonda Tate Billingsley
Monday, February 28 | 5:30PM
Vinson Neighborhood Library

Take a look at some of the Black History events and programs scheduled in some of the other top metro areas in the U.S.

Washington D C
African American history programs at Smithsonian
Chicago
Chicago Parks Programs
Atlanta
Essence magazine
Los Angeles
California African American museum
New York
Black History events in NY.

Before you move on to the next blog remember, if you find yourself in one of our sister cities, Austin or Dallas, or any of the places listed below, you'll find events all over the state that are being planned in February to celebrate the Texas heritage of African Americans.

Austin
George Washington Carver Museum
Dallas
African American Museum of Dallas
Fort Davis
Fort Davis National Historic Site
Fort Worth
National Cowboys of Color Museum and Hall of Fame
Houston
Buffalo Soldiers National Museum

There is plenty of history in the annuals of time that has occurred in the Lone Star state. No matter what neck of the woods you find yourself hanging out, there is some intriguing history waiting to be uncovered in books, buildings and eye witness accounts of famous events. Sphere: Related Content

Books About Famous African American's From Houston

There are plenty of Books about famous African Americans from Houston. They have left a documented legacy through law suits, books and periodicals as they paved the way for today's generation. During February's Black History Events in Houston, I've noted the names of a few Black men that have shaped our community and the nation.


Dr. Bernard Harris, Jr.
The First African American to take a walk in outerspace.
Sherman E. Stimley
Opened the first African-American Law firm in Texas to consult exclusively in tax-exempt bond law.
Dr. Lonnie E. Smith
He was the Smith involved in, Smith v. Allwright . The 1944 landmark Supreme Court case which won the right of all African-Americans to vote in Texas primary elections.


Our Oral History

My grandma always said it's better to hear it from the horses mouth. That's one of the reasons I value oral history as well as written history. In 2009 NPR(National Public Radio sent their mobile studio, the StoryCorps to Houston for a couple of weeks to record interviews with local residents.

These interviews will become part of a permanent oral archive in the Library of Congress. This project documents the face to face interviews with prominent citizens, well known businessmen and everyday people from all across the country.

Houston History Project

The city of Houston has several ongoing oral history projects to capture fascinating bits and pieces of their history from the last century. The intriguing interviews of well known Houston civic, political and business leaders have been digitally recorded. These are some of the people who were the eyewitnesses to the historical events that happened in Houston in the last century. About 100 people were interviewed and eventually all of recordings will be available to us through the Houston Public Library.

The University of Houston also is working on a Houston History project. It's touted as a learning laboratory for anyone studying history. It's consists of oral history, a history magazine and a Houston history archive.
Their ultimate goal is to create a repository of materials that teachers, students, amateur historians and any one interested in Houston's vibrant history can access.

Books To Research Family History In Houston

You can discover some really interesting facts about your family, take time to do a little sleuthing at the Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research. They have a collection of births, deaths, census records and other books to help you research family history in Houston.

It's an incredible way for you to connect with your ancestors and other members of past generations. You can also get free access to databases containing African American History online through Houston's African American Library at the Gregory School. They have a large collection of personal papers and artifacts from Blacks in Houston.

Houston's Black History

This month make it a point to find books that discuss Houston's Black History and mentions people from our city. Then make it your business to remind, share and tell somebody, the story of their struggles and successes.

Books About Houston is starting an Author Showcase. If you're a local author or know an author that has recently published a book contact me through EJ Jolivet on Facebook page for a chance to have your book reviewed on this blog. Sphere: Related Content