City celebrates Dallas’ African American history

Many cultures of people have made America what it is today: a land of opportunity and freedom unknown to many worldwide.

As Black History Month winds down, it is important to reflect on the many contributions of African Americans to the City of Dallas. Some of the oldest residents of Texas are of African descent and they have worked alongside Americans of Mexican, European and indigenous descent to create a rich Texas culture.

Despite slavery, segregation and racial prejudice, African Americans have continually served the community and influenced the City and State of Texas with their contributions, grit and selflessness.

With an African American population nearing one million, the DFW is alive with culture and diversity. Over the past 120 years, African Americans have influenced the city’s strong social and cultural heritage. Musicians such as Eddie Durham, Huddie “Leadbelly” Ledbetter and Blind Lemon Jefferson brought jazz, blues and ragtime to the City while writers such as Maude Cuney-Hare and artists like John Biggers became recognized worldwide for their distinct talents.

Dallas is also home to the oldest Black Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1926, and is ranked in by prominent national publications as one of the best places for African Americans to live and do business.

During the struggles of the post-Civil War Reconstruction period, African Americans founded freedmen’s towns like Deep Ellum, which created the progressive communities that still exist today. Churches like Boll Street African Methodist Episcopal in Dallas started the first schools in the city for children and other educational institutions like Bishop and Wiley were formed.

The City of Dallas Black Employees Support Team (BEST) formed in 1986 to examine the status of African-American women employed by the City of Dallas. Today, BEST exists to enhance the growth and cohesiveness of all City of Dallas employees while conducting networking and career development events. BEST members are actively committed to the betterment of municipal government.

Beverly Davis is the current BEST President and can be reached at [email protected].