BRAVE Communities Connection: Preserving Black Austin History

Join us for an unforgettable celebration of Black History Month as we honor the rich legacy of Black Austin and embrace the power of Black Joy!

Why You Should Be There:
🎤 Inspiring Speakers – Hear thought-provoking stories and insights on the significance of Black Austin’s history, resilience, and culture.
🏛 Honoring East Austin’s Legacy – Learn about the impact of gentrification and the urgent need to preserve historic Black landmarks and communities.
🎲 Uno Tournament & Children's Corner – Uno is more than a game; it’s a staple of Black households and a symbol of community and joy! Show off your skills and enjoy friendly competition. Black History crafts available for kids and the kid at heart.
🤝 Connect & Celebrate – Network with community members and vendors in an intergenerational, multicultural space where ALL are welcome!

Let’s come together to honor the past, celebrate the present, and shape the future.
✨Anticipated Agenda:
1:30PM: Doors open to the public - community marketplace & networking available
~2:00PM: Program including artistic expression with Jasmine Games, panel discussion, fireside chats, historical timeline walk
~4:00PM: Uno Tournament, Community marketplace & Networking with Refreshments
🎤Guest Speakers & Artist

• Mariam Conner is the founder of Creative Policy, a firm recognized for its community-focused strategy that bridges policy-making and cultural engagement to achieve meaningful systems change. Additionally, she holds positions on the boards of Preservation Austin and Greater Austin Neighborhoods, and she has previously served as a commissioner on the City of Austin's African American Quality of Life Commission.
• Jasmine Green is a Black queer spoken word poet and theater practitioner from Houston, TX. She holds a BA in English and Performance Studies from Texas A&M University and an MFA in Drama and Theatre for Youth and Communities from The University of Texas at Austin. An award-winning artist, she received the 2021 Sexton Prize for Poetry and the Winifred Ward for excellence in theatre education. As Artistic Director of every.Word Poetry and Director of Education & Social Justice at The VORTEX, she uses drama and creative writing to address social justice. Her debut poetry collection, Somebody’s Daughter, is available online.
• Darwin Hamilton is a fifth-generation Austinite, whose ancestral home, the historic Dedrick-Hamilton House serves as office space for the Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce and site of the African American Cultural and Heritage Facility. For over a decade he has been an activist, advocate, strategist, mentor, leader, speaker and author of his self-published memoir 25 Years Later: A Sentence from Crime to Redemption, Resilience, Advocacy and Leadership. His op-eds have been published in the Austin American Statesman and by the ACLU of Texas.
• Magnificent 4 of 8 are a group of (retired) native Austinites that have been friends since 8th grade. They will share their wisdom on life, the changes of Austin, and preserving Black Austin and its rich history.

This event, co-produced by our BRAVE Young Leaders, a cohort of local 14-24 years old changemakers.
Refreshments provided by Pam's Way Kitchen. Free with RSVP. Invite your family, friends, and neighbors of all ages. Special shout out to Greater Mt. Zion church for hosting our event at their Adult Assembly Room. ALL are welcomed. ADA accessibility + walking distance from CapMetro stop (Tannenhill/Webberville stop). Please contact [email protected] if you require any special services, interpreters, or have questions.
This program is supported in part by the City of Austin Economic Development Department and our recurring BRAVE members and donors. Please consider being part of the BRAVE fabric by attending and supporting our events.

Host or Publisher BRAVECommunities