2 | Black History Month | 20212021 | Black History Month | 3 Black History is American HistoryBlack History is American History Samuel Collins III, CTASamuel Collins III, CTA www.truthstrong.orgwww.truthstrong.org4 | Black History Month | 2021 By KERI HEATH The Daily News Tommie Boudreaux, a retired school teacher, has always considered Jessie McGuire Dent her hero, she said. An island resident and educator, Dent in 1943 won a lawsuit ensuring equal pay for Black and white teachers. “That was very bold to do that,” Boudreaux said. Boudreaux, chairwom- an of the Galveston His- torical Foundation’s Afri- can American committee, spends a lot of her time thinking about people like Dent who made a difference in Galveston County and beyond. Most people don’t realize how rich the local heritage is, she said. And the Black community in Galveston typically contributed to and was very involved in the city, she said. “So many of them did that,” Boudreaux said. “They did things for the community.” Dent was one of many people Boudreaux and the foundation has recognized in its books and research about Black history in Galveston. Galveston’s County history of Black commu- nity members stems from deep investment and involvement in the area and has produced many notable historic figures. Dent, who won the historic lawsuit, was just one who made strides in education. Lillian Davis was the librarian of what’s believed to be the first public library for Black people in the southern United States from the 1920s to 1950s, ac- cording to Rosenberg Library’s Galveston & Texas History Center. Leon Morgan was the principal of Central High School for decades start- ing in 1941 and played a key role in integrating Galveston schools. Galveston also is where slavery came to its final end, when Union Maj. Gen. Gordon Grang- er read the Emancipation Proclamation on June 19, 1865, at Ashton Villa, ac- cording to the Galveston Historical Foundation. Communities began celebrating the day, now called Juneteeth, in the 1890s, said Jami Durham, historian at the founda- tion. After the Civil War, Black people moved to Galveston, where they were able to find jobs, Durham said. People worked in cot- ton warehouses and on the docks as longshore- men, she said. “African Americans came here and, as a result, they created this tight, wonderful commu- nity,” Durham said. A strong community of prominent Black fig- ures also rose up on the mainland around what Galveston County continues legacy of strong Black communities Courtesy/ Rosenberg Library Jessie McGuire Dent was a Galves- ton resident and teacher who won a lawsuit ensuring qual pay for Black and white teachers. y STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News Charlesa Gary, a descendant of the Bell family, stands outside of the historic Frank Bell Sr. Home in the 1867 Settlement Historic District in Texas City.2021 | Black History Month | The Daily News | 5 today is called the 1867 Settlement in Texas City. The area was founded by six families formerly enslaved on the Butler ranch, where they con- tinued to work as cow- boys for a time after the Civil War ended in 1965, said Amanda Vance, museum curator at the 1887 Frank Sr. and Fla- villa Bell House, which houses the Settlement museum. “All of the settlement families were able to turn it into a fairly thriv- ing community,” Vance said. Frank and Flavilla Bell farmed, as many residents did, and were instrumen- tal in building the area into a thriving communi- ty that still exists today, Charlesa Gary said. Gary is a descendant of the Bells, including Calvin Bell and Norvell Bell, original founders of the settlement from two different families. “They all did a lot for the community because it was self-sustained,” Gary said. Vera Bell Gary’s fa- ther, Frank Bell Jr., was instrumental in building Carver Park to serve the area Black community, she said. “He built quite a few places in La Marque,” Gary said. “He’d work, come home and save his money and invest it and he’d build the communi- ty. That’s why the Bells’ name kind of stands out because they were very industrious people.” It’s also why the fam- ilies work so hard to preserve the heritage of the settlement and of the people who founded it, Gary said. “We as descendants of the family we are tasked with continuing the leg- acy but also tasked with trying to build on that history of trying to main- tain the community rela- tionships and the bonds of the community,” Gary said. “We maintain histo- ry but also try to create new history.” It’s this strong sense of community that Bou- dreaux remembers and finds in her research, she said. Businessmen like Gus Allen and Robert Mc- Guire, who owned land at what’s now the site of McGuire-Dent Recreation Center, 2222 28th St., helped give a hand up to emerging Black entrepre- neurs, Boudreaux said. People are starting to learn more about the im- portance of Black history in Galveston, especially after Black Lives Matter protests last summer, and she hopes people contin- ue to learn, she said. “African Americans came here and, as a result, they created this tight, wonderful community.” JAMI DURHAM , Galveston Historical Foundation historian Courtesy/Rosenberg Library Calvin Bell was one of the orginal founders of the 1867 settlement in Texas City. It’s the only Reconstruction-era African-American community in Galveston county JENNIFER REYNOLDS/The Daily News Tommie Boudreaux, chair of the Galveston Historical Foundation’s African American Heritage Committee, stands next to the historical marker for the Rosewood Cemetery, which was formed in 1911 by a group of African- American islanders. A headstone and brick and concrete grave marker are piled on the west side of the Rosewood Cemetery in Galveston. JENNIFER REYNOLDS/ The Daily News409-763-2800 | David@DavidBowers.com 5301 Winnie Street - $250,000 David Bowers Realtor® Over 36 Years of Local Experience! Lot 14 Eckert Drive - $99,900 & Lot 13 Eckert Drive - $99,900 2114 52nd - PENDING5027 Ave N - $270,000 5113 Ave R 1/2 - $254,500 2122 Ave K - $342,500 1201 25th - $374,500 SINCE 1976 The Jesse Tree | P.O. Box 575 | Galveston, TX 77553 www.jessetree.net | Find us on FaceBook The Jesse Tree Discrimination, racial tension, radicalism, violence, lies, conspiracy theories and broad health disparities are all tips of an ugly, underlying iceberg. Harriet Tubman took action, led others to safety and risked herself doing it. She knew the iceberg wasn’t melting fast enough and that individual lives were languishing and needed help. She never quit. Many individuals in our community work tirelessly with the same goal in mind. We must never quit helping others. Like Harriet Tubman, The Jesse Tree guides individuals and families to independence, self-sufficiency improved health and happiness; Hunger is a tip of the same iceberg. Imagine in Galveston, Texas with hundreds of hotels and restaurants preparing tasty meals daily that human beings go to bed hungry at night. They do. And the closer it gets to the end of the month – the hungrier and more at risk they become. The proceeds of The Empty Bowl Event support the Senior Nutrition Programs of The Jesse Tree; Individuals living at a shocking level of poverty in our own community, who run out of food at the end of the month. Fortunately, The Galveston Housing Authority Staff members Odelia Williams, Director of Resident Services, Tyese Sweet, Resident Services Coordinator, Charles Fields, Transportation Coordinator and Ray Lewis, Resident Council Representative help us to assure that The Jesse Tree delivers the food boxes monthly, while observing every protocol for protection from COVID19. The Galveston County Food Bank reduced delivery fees, increased their generous deliveries and accommodated schedule changes to assure that fresh fruit and produce got to the hands of those in need. At the same time, Pastor David Gomez, Linda Perez, Frank and Minerva Alvarado, Liliana Fuentes and Laura Moreno of New Life Fellowship on Heards Lane worked harder than ever to keep The Jesse Tree Food Fair alive and expanding. In August, UTMB under the direction of Ike Okereke, MD partnered to send the Mammogram Van to this same site offering monthly mammograms to Galveston’s over-forty uninsured. Working from home, Volunteer, Charlotte McLemore crunches the numbers, does the data entry and produces the required reports to keep these efforts going. This network represents an impressive, multidisciplinary collaboration designed to integrate healthcare, social services, ministry and community – an invisible, effective safety net! As the pandemic loomed, The Jesse Tree quickly modified each program to continue serving those in need; masks, gowns, face-shields, social distancing and constant disinfecting to protect the vulnerable and ourselves. Calls for food, rent assistance, medical supplies and prescription assistance continue to soar as the pandemic leaves people without work and dwindling pay. People who never had to seek help are desperately in need of food and rent. Hunger is a symptom of a global problem. Would you know how to help someone navigate this complex system for help? A transport trailer is placed at the loading dock of The Jesse Tree’s offices (graciously provided by Mainland Medical Center in Texas City), where donated medical equipment and supplies are quarantined and disinfected before being added to the inventory. As hospitalizations increase, the requests for hospital beds, wheelchairs, CPAP Machines and medical supplies quadrupled. Calls for prescription assistance soar. There are waiting lists for hospital beds, wheelchairs and many other items. Ana Rivera, Johnnie Moses and Jaqueline Dean, RN continue to provide chronic conditions management and diabetes education in English and Spanish to save lives and encourage improved health. Is there a wheelchair in your garage that could be assisting someone? The Jesse Tree’s Survivor’s Support Network continues to respond to incidents of drowning on Galveston’s beaches with compassion and added precautions for COVID19. Each year families and friends of victims are assisted through this innovative outreach team in collaboration with Chief Peter Davis and the Galveston Beach Patrol. These valiant volunteers (too many to name) are on the beach comforting the bereft in the event of a drowning and go the distance to help families through a desperate time. This is a truly compassionate team approach in response to a tragedy. The Annual Empty Bowl Event – was postponed several times since last spring as the pandemic gradually changed life as we knew it. But, in January, the fabulous bowls – handcrafted by the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Galveston County were unveiled on the newly published website of The Jesse Tree: www.jessetree.net Instead of soup, they were filled with kindness, creativity and love assuring that hungry mouths are fed. In its twentieth year, no words can describe the dedication, artistry and generosity that motivate “The Bowlers” led by Madeleine Baker, Pat Patterson Bets Anderson, who meet weekly, purchase the materials and fashion over four hundred, beautiful ceramic bowls annually – then co-host this wonderful event to combat hunger! They know about the iceberg and they work hard to chip away at it, while improving life in our community one life at a time. Many of these are names you probably won’t see listed as heroes of the war against the COVID virus, but, each has stepped up in some way to make life safer and better in Galveston County as we survive the pandemic. The Jesse Tree’s outreach programs could not reach the thousands who receive help annually without the planning and coordination of David Mitchell, Director of Programs and Services who quietly orchestrates, delivers, assists and makes good works happen everywhere! The Jesse Tree goes out to those in need, instead of waiting for them to come to us. This year’s Empty Bowl Event was dedicated to the memory of Freddie Black former Board President. Freddie, an attorney at Greer, Herz and Adams, died suddenly in August of 2020. His cheerful smile, good nature, generosity and kindness are sorely missed. Our thanks to his wife Dawn and his children for sharing Freddie with us for so many years! Sadly, just before the event, Neil Huddleston, one of the UU Bowlers passed away from complications related to COVID – a truly good, kind man who will be sorely missed. Like Harriet Tubman, The Empty Bowl Event can’t address the entire underlying iceberg; however individual lives are improved daily, through the programs and as the beautiful bowls are filled with wonderful works of mercy even during a global pandemic. Those who support, encourage and invest in The Jesse Tree help make good happen in Galveston County. We pray that the iceberg of injustice will be conquered. In the meantime we address one suffering life at a time – a team dedicated to restoring health, happiness, self-sufficiency and independence in our community. The smiles report the wonderful results of kindness. Your contributions, donations, volunteer assistance and prayers keep us going. How can we thank you? By continuing to help those in need in our community and never quitting. A shoot will come up from the stem of Jesse; from his roots a branch will bear fruit. (Isaiah 11:1) The Jesse Tree is a non-profit, charitable organization deemed a 501c3 organization by the IRS, therefore, your contributions are fully deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. The Jesse Tree was founded in Galveston, Texas in 1995. The Jesse Tree no longer accepts funding that precludes serving those in need that do not meet rigid eligibility requirements. P. O. Box 575, Galveston, TX 77550 www.jessetree.net or find us on FaceBook. Addressing Immediate And Underlying Issues by Ted Hanley Connecting | Rebuilding | Uplifting 6 | Black History Month | 2021Rosenberg Library History is Alive. 2310 Sealy Ave Galveston, TX rosenberg-library.org Access Information Rediscover Voices Past Inspire Children BLACK HISTORY IS AMERICAN HISTORY Join us throughout February, Black History Month, in honoring and celebrating the many historical and ongoing triumphs and contributions of Black and African Americans. 2021 | Black History Month | 78 | Black History Month | 2021 By JOHN WAYNE FERGUSON The Daily News In Galveston, some history is harder to come by than others. Just look at the statue that stands in front of the county courthouse. In June, amid nation- wide protests over racial injustice, a group of more than 100 people marched on the coun- ty seat to call for the removal of “Dignified Resignation,” the statue of a defeated Confeder- ate soldier that as stood in front of downtown building since 1911. The protestors called for the statues to be re- moved from the grounds. Protesters argued it was a symbol of white supremacy, and perpet- uated the Lost Cause narrative of the Civil War, which casts the Con- federate states as noble and downplays the role that maintaining slavey played in causing the war. County commission- ers, weeks later, refused to even consider the removal. But the statue was qui- etly changed. Some time after the protest, the county re- moved two plaques from the statue, including one that lauded the Confed- erate Army for its “purity of motives” — one of the main criticisms the protestors had about the statue. County Commission- er Stephen Holmes, the only commissioner to propose removing the statue, said he believed the plaques were re- moved to avoid having to talk about issues memo- rialized in the statue. “That’s clear; that if they took the plaques down, something about it is not right,” Holmes said. “I don’t think it was an act of vandalism. It shows you what the thinking was of the peo- ple who had the plaque raised.” Recent years have brought a reckoning of sorts in the way American institutions have acknowledged the country’s grim history of slavery and racial op- pression. That trend has come to Galveston, too. In 2017, a private group erected a marker at the Port of Galveston acknowledg- ing the city’s role in the African slave trade. A mural is also planned for a downtown building to depict Afri- can people being put on a slave ship, as well the regiment of Black Union soldiers who accompa- nied Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger when he and his troops delivered the news of the Emanci- pation Proclamation to Texas. But on an island that celebrates its history, and has more than 200 state historical markers in its 211 square miles, only a tiny fraction acknowl- edge the existence of the Black people who lived on the island as slaves or freemen, or who were sold here as part of the American slave trade. One of those markers is near 13 Mile Road on the island’s West End. Three others are at churches that had slaves as members. Although it’s not acknowledged widely in the public, Galves- ton was the site of a slave market. One of the city’s first mayors, John Sydnor, operated a slave market on The Strand. In an application to add Sydnor’s home, the Powhatan House, to Black history under-represented in county’s public markers JENNIFER REYNOLDS/The Daily News photos LEFT: The plaque on the front of “Dignified Resignation,” the confeder- ate statue at the Galveston County Courthouse, was removed following renewed calls for the statue’s removal last year. ABOVE: A historic marker stands outside Avenue L Missionary Baptist Church in Galveston. The church is oldest African American congregations in Texas.2021 | Black History Month | 9 the National Register of Historic Places, the Texas Historical Commission wrote the market was Sydnor’s “single largest enterprise.” “The market was said to have been the largest auction block west of New Orleans, and Sydnor himself was the auction- eer,” the commission wrote. Originally, Sydnor traded in Black people born in the United States, who were the only ones that could be legally sold at the time. But after na- tive-born people proved too expensive for Texas cotton planters, Sydnor entered the illegal Afri- can slave trade. “Sydnor and other dealers realized that without cheap labor the boom in Texas cotton, and the resultant pros- perity of Galveston, would collapse,” the commission wrote. Sydnor’s slave market probably was near 21st Street, close to the ship channel, said Dwayne Jones, executive director of the Galveston Histori- cal Foundation. But much about the slave market is unknown, Jones said. “It’s very hard for historians to find,” Jones said. “There’s not a wealth of primary research or information. We just don’t know. We certainly know there was enslaved people here.” The history of slav- ery on the island goes back to the days of Jean Laffite, the French pirate and slave trader who set a base on the island be- fore the city was founded in 1842, Jones said. It’s not surprising that some of the damning parts of Galveston’s history are hard to find, said Sam Collins III, a local historian. It’s not surprising that some of that history is obscured in public places, he said. Collins in recent years has helped lead efforts to bring more local Black history to light, including placement of an official historical marker dedi- cated to the Juneteenth holiday, as well as the new downtown mural. “There’s movement, but it’s slow movement in Galveston County,” Collins said. “It’s been a problem for years.” Last year’s racial justice protests, which resulted in monuments to Confed- erate figures being taken down across the country and greater discussions about history, seems to be moving people to- ward facing some harder truths, Collins said. “So many have been taught about Galveston history and Texas history that does not tell the complete story,” Collins said. “As a result they have a false heritage that they cling to.” JENNIFER REYNOLDS/The Daily News photos ABOVE: A marker on 13 Mile Road in Galveston marks the history of the West End, from Cabeza De Vaca who shipwrecked in 1528 and buccaneer Jean Laffite and the illegal slave trade to the West End being a tourist des- tination. RIGHT: Several historical markers stand outside Reedy Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Galveston, which was founded in 1848 for slaves to be able to have a place to worship.Next >