Black Towns Matter

Black Towns Matter is a public awareness initiative sponsored by the Historic Black Towns & Settlements Alliance.

[HBTSA @hbtsa]

The 1st Black settlement in Prairie View, TX is known as Wyatt Chapel, est. 1865. Comprised of formerly enslaved people & their descendants, the small quiet community still exists today. The Wyatt Chapel Church is as a reminder of this rich history. #WyattChapel #thisplacematters

[Black Towns Matter @blktownsmatter]

In the early 1820s, "Mother" Priscilla Baltimore & husband John led a group of eleven families, into St. Louis, Missouri. They crossed the Mississippi River to the free state of Illinois, where they established a freedom village known today as Brooklyn, Illinois. 1st Black town.

[Black Towns Matter @blktownsmatter]

Author Zora Neal Hurston was born in Notasulga, Ala., in 1891 & moved with her family to Eatonville a year later. In her novel Mules & Men, published in 1935, Hurston recounted the trials & triumphs of life in the town, referring to Dinkins as one of the "pretty Johnson girls."

[Black Towns Matter @blktownsmatter]

Ella Dinkins was the oldest resident of historic Eatonville, Fla., founded in 1887. At the age of 102, she continued to tell the stories of growing up in the town. She recalled the times spent with famed writer Zora Neal Hurston who grew up in the town.

[Black Towns Matter @blktownsmatter]

Hurston wrote often about the town. When the Florida DOT wanted to bring a road through the town, it was Ms. Ella & her daughter who created the Zora Neal Hurston Festiva of the Arts to commemorate her life. Today, the festival is in its 32nd yr & no road have divided the town.

[Black Towns Matter @blktownsmatter]

Black Towns winning! https://t.co/qCl1M7Xs2M

[Black Towns Matter @blktownsmatter]

January 17, 1915 residents woke up living in the first Black chartered municipality in Texas known as Independence Heights. They elected George Burgess as their first mayor. #blacktownsmatter

[Independence Heights @indheightstx]

It was around 1905 when the Wright Land Company began platting an area north of Houston. On Jan. 17, 1915 with more than 600 residents, a vote was held to charter a municipality known as Independence Heights. It became the first Black city in Texas. #historymatters

[Black Towns Matter @blktownsmatter]

Nigton is a freedom settlement located in Trinity County, TX. In the 1870 census there were about 100 Afr American's living in the area. Most had been formerly enslaved by white planters who resided in nearby Apple Springs. Today, descendants are reclaiming their heritage.

[Black Towns Matter @blktownsmatter]

There's a fight going on in a small unincorporated community near Dallas, TX known as Sand Branch. Founded by freedmen in 1865, the area lies right next to a water reservoir yet they still have no access to clean water. They need help. Get involved, now! https://t.co/4hylMWMmoc

[Black Towns Matter @blktownsmatter]

Finally! A conference to coordinate collective action to preserve historically significant black spaces that are endangered. This conference will bring everyone working to preserve black towns and sites together to learn, network & collaborate. Register: https://t.co/WJZRjC6h27

[Black Towns Matter @blktownsmatter]

We're excited to share the news! Black Spaces and Places Conference is happening in Prairie View, Texas October 13-15, 2022 at Prairie View A & M University. Join the conversation: https://t.co/kOUrop9vuV

[Black Towns Matter @blktownsmatter]

This is great news! https://t.co/BQ8PpQTga0

[Black Towns Matter @blktownsmatter]

Happy 123rd anniversary to Hobson City, Ala. Established as Moree Quarters in 1899, the town of Hobson City is the first black municipality in the state of Alabama. Congratulations to @hobsoncitymayor & the town of @hobsoncityala

[Black Towns Matter @blktownsmatter]

Score for Greenwood!

[The Victory of Greenwood @Greenwood1922]

This historic ruling marks the first time in 101 years that an Oklahoma judge has ruled survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre may proceed to the discovery phase of a trial. https://t.co/dtgDuIgf5n

[Black Towns Matter @blktownsmatter]

Meanwhile in Texas in the historic @indheightstx kids are getting ready to go back to school. But first, incoming teachers and students tour the community and learn all this awesome history about this black town! #blktownsmatter

[Independence Heights @indheightstx]

March 11, 1924, Ind Heights was an independent city with its own school. Kids in the community attended this Ind Heights School that was located in the 600 block of 38th St. When they outgrew this site they attended at Burgess Hall until 1928 when Burrus Elem was erected on 33rd.

[Black Towns Matter @blktownsmatter]

Sept 1903, 3 blk men established the Blackdom Townsite Co. to build the town of Blackdom,NM. By 1919 they struck oil & formed Blackdom Oil Co. This intentional settlement of Black people lasted a span of 30 yrs. Dr. Timothy Nelson calls it the Afro-Frontier of American history.

[Black Towns Matter @blktownsmatter]

Kendleton was originally located on the San Bernard River in Fort Bend County, Texas. Wm Kendall divided the former plantation into small farms & sold land for 50 cents an acre to freedmen. In every state there are Black towns we never knew about. Learn: https://t.co/8961NfvbpZ

[Black Towns Matter @blktownsmatter]

It's happening tomorrow Feb. 5 during Black history month! Check out @DrRob3000, assist director of the Center for Race & Justice at @PVAMU as he shares the background of how black towns came to be. Register now: https://t.co/F2uz9SQHYe

[HBTSA @hbtsa]

Tomorrow we are kicking off our Black Towns Virtual Roundtable in partnership with Spelman College. We are grateful to our partners from distinguished colleges who are joining us. Welcome @DrRob3000. You can learn more & register here: https://t.co/fCko2ahmPw

[Black Towns Matter @blktownsmatter]

It's Black History Month! It's the perfect time to learn the undertold stories of historic Black towns. Listen to leaders talk about preserving this important history & revitalizing these historic places.
https://t.co/8MTsGgKumt
Let's go! Register here: https://t.co/fizaM5rAGn

[Black Towns Matter @blktownsmatter]

Whooohoo! Can't wait! #blacktownsmatter

[Independence Heights @indheightstx]

Black history month is loading.........We ready!#indheights #blackhistory #blacktowns