How about: Centering Black Voices: Austin's Black History for Juneteenth

Honoring Black History Year-Round: A Guide to Austin's Past and Present

As we approach Juneteenth, it's important to recognize that honoring Black history goes beyond a single day or month. In Austin, Texas, the legacy of Black freedom and resistance runs deep, and we must strive to uphold and celebrate it all year round. Here's a list of places to visit to learn more about the rich history of Black Austinites and their impact on our city:

• George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center (1165 Angelina St.):** A must-visit hub for African American history and culture, with a library, museum, and genealogical center.
• Austin History Center (810 Guadalupe St.):** Temporarily closed for renovations, but keep an eye out for events like the Fuller Circle talk by scholar Tara Dudley on Black builder John Chase.
• Texas African American History Memorial (Capitol grounds):** This complex statue, sculpted by Ed Dwight, memorializes Juneteenth and depicts the multidimensional Black life in Texas.
• Evergreen Cemetery (3304 E. 12th St.):** A stroll through this 1926 graveyard offers a glimpse into Austin's prominent Black families. Highland Park Cemetery, now part of Evergreen, was established as a burial place for all races.
• Hezikiah Haskell House (1705 Waterston Ave.):** Once home to a Union army veteran and later a "Buffalo soldier," this house is situated in the historically Black freedom colony of Clarksville.
• Six Square: Austin's Black Cultural District (Bounded by Manor Rd, E 7th St, Airport Blvd, and I-35):** A crucial nonprofit, Six Square, preserves and promotes Central East Austin's Black cultural district, offering guided tours and more.
• Huston-Tillotson University (900 Chicon St.):** Austin's oldest institution of higher education, this historically Black college, founded in 1875, is filled with reminders of the city's rich cultural heritage.
• African American Cultural and Heritage Facility (912 E. 11th St.):** Nestled on East 11th Street, the heartbeat of Black cultural life in Austin, this facility is home to the state-designated African American Cultural Heritage District and hosts a variety of engaging activities.
• Downs Field (2816 E. 12th St.):** Formerly known as Downs-Mabson Field, this historic baseball field hosted games played by the Austin Black Senators and the Huston-Tillotson Rams, featuring legends like Satchel Paige and Willie Mays.
• Rosewood Park (300 Rosewood Ave.):** A longstanding site of Juneteenth celebrations, Rosewood Park is home to the Henry G. Madison cabin and the Doris Miller Auditorium, honoring a WWII hero.
• Neill-Cochran House Museum (2310 San Gabriel St.):** This site preserves one of the few remaining slave quarters in Austin and has recently enhanced its interpretative materials and murals to tell a more comprehensive story.
• French Legation (802 San Marcos St.):** The Texas Historical Commission interprets the history of this site, likely built by enslaved people, and later used for the same purpose by the Robertson family.
• Ebenezer Baptist Church (1010 E 10th St.):** Faith home to many Black Austin leaders, including the trailblazing Judge Harriet Murphy, a friend of MLK Jr. and Thurgood Marshall.
• Wesley United Methodist Church (1164 San Bernard St.):** Founded in 1865, this congregation has a long history of producing leaders and stands as a testament to the resilience of Black worshippers post-emancipation.
• Victory Grill (1104 E. 11th St.):** Once a hot spot in East Austin's entertainment scene, the Victory Grill has been beautifully preserved and continues to serve the community.
• Wooldridge Square Park (900 Guadalupe St.):** Preserving the legacy of Booker T. Washington and Rev. Jacob Fontaine, this square was almost erased from Black history, but dedicated historians brought their stories back to light.
• John S. and Drucie R. Chase Building (1191 Navasota St.):** UT's Division of Campus and Community Engagement is headquartered in this mid-century masterpiece, designed by John S. Chase, a pioneer in Texas architecture.
• Briscoe Center for American History (2300 Red River St.):** Discover the broader narrative of African Americans through archives and exhibits at this UT museum, shedding light on stories often left untold.
• LBJ Presidential Library (2313 Red River St.):** Exploring the legacy of Lyndon B. Johnson, this library highlights his role in civil rights bills, offering a complicated but important perspective on Texas politics.
• Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum (1800 Congress Ave.):** Don't miss the recently updated exhibits on slavery, the Civil War, and Reconstruction at this comprehensive museum.
• Moore-Hancock Farmstead (4811 Sinclair Ave.):** The oldest log structure in Austin, this farmstead showcases the presence of African Americans from pre-Civil War to post-emancipation, with informative tours offered.

These places are just a starting point. Austin's Black history is vibrant and diverse, spanning centuries of resilience, creativity, and progress. It's up to us to continue seeking out these stories and amplifying Black voices, not just during dedicated months or holidays but as a continuous act of respect and awareness.