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X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://houstonfreedmenstown.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Houston Freedmens Town
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260219T173000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260630T203000
DTSTAMP:20260708T115210
CREATED:20260130T182504Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260302T234745Z
UID:5916-1771522200-1782851400@houstonfreedmenstown.org
SUMMARY:BLACKBALL | Baseball\, Barbeque\, and Blues
DESCRIPTION:Opening February 19\, 2026\, BLACKBALL | Baseball\, Barbecue & Blues explores the untold story of Black baseball in Houston’s Freedmen’s Town—from sandlots and barnstorming to the Negro Leagues and the integration of Major League Baseball. Rooted in Freedmen’s Town’s “Blackball” legacy\, the exhibition traces how baseball thrived alongside food\, music\, faith\, and fellowship\, animating streets and fields as sites of freedom\, joy\, and self-expression. Through community picnics\, economic exchange\, and the rhythms of everyday life\, Black baseball emerges as both a cultural practice and a collective celebration. By centering Black leisure and lived experience\, BLACKBALL presents Freedmen’s Town as both a vital local community and a foundational site whose influence extended from Houston to national and global stages through Negro League and Major League Baseball. The exhibition positions Freedmen’s Town not as a footnote\, but as a cornerstone of Black baseball history and cultural legacy. \n\nJoin us for an opening reception and fireside chat between Seba R. Suber\, Curator\, Southern Polymath Creative Consulting\, LLC and Sharon Fletcher\, Executive Director\, Houston Freedmen’s Town Conservancy on Thursday\, February 19\, 2026 from 5:30–8:30 PM\, celebrating Black baseball\, community life\, and cultural legacy in Houston’s Freedmen’s Town during Black History Month.\nABOUT \nExhibition Architecture by Sharon L. Fletcher\, Executive Director (includes concept and scope) \nCurated by Seba R. Suber\, Southern Polymath Creative Consulting \nIn partnership with Dr. Layton Revel with Center for Negro League Baseball Research \nHistorical Soundscapes by Jason “Flash Gordon Parks” Woods\, Ethnomusicologist \nBLACKBALL | Baseball\, Barbeque & Blues\, is hosted by Houston Freedmen’s Town Conservancy and supported by City of Houston\, Houston Public Library and Houston Public Library Foundation\, Houston Endowment\, Institute of Museum and Library Services\, Houston Arts Alliance\, Southern Polymath Creative Consulting LLC\, The Astros Foundation\, and Center for Negro League Baseball Research.
URL:https://houstonfreedmenstown.org/events/blackball-baseball-barbeque-and-blues/
LOCATION:Freedmen’s Town Visitor Center\, 1204 Victor St\, Houston\, Texas\, 77019\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://houstonfreedmenstown.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Copy-of-BlackBall_Socail_Temps.png
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260604T180000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260604T200000
DTSTAMP:20260708T115210
CREATED:20260428T035103Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260522T150152Z
UID:6429-1780596000-1780603200@houstonfreedmenstown.org
SUMMARY:Porch Talk: Stronger Together
DESCRIPTION:This June\, our Porch Talk series brings together leaders from across Houston in historic Freedmen’s Town for an honest conversation about the work happening in communities across the city. Join us for a reception and conversation between John Nickols II\, entrepreneur and Chair of Juneteenth Houston\, Keda Sharber\, and Rain Eatmon\, CEO of Acre Homes Community Advocacy Group. with Sharon Fletcher\, HFTC Executive Director\, highlighting efforts rooted in Houston’s Black communities while discussing what’s working\, where challenges remain\, opportunities for growth\, and how we can continue building stronger futures together. \nABOUT: \nJohn Nicklos II\, a native Houstonian\, considers himself an multipotentialite. He is a multi-hyphenated creative and serial entrepreneur with a colorful background that canvases over ten industries. He has been a pivotal part in launching hundreds of businesses and nonprofit organizations across the country generating over 100 million dollars in revenue. He serves as chair for Juneteenth Houston\, the citywide collaborative and hub for all things Juneteenth in the city. Having lived in many of Houston’s historic Black neighborhoods\, John is an advocate that uses storytelling to center the joy and humanity of Black people. As chair he’s lead the expansion of Juneteenth from a single day of celebration to a month long celebration with the launch of 19 Days of Juneteenth in the city of Houston. ​ \nKeda Sharber is a Houston-based storyteller who uses film\, photo\, and written/spoken word to investigate and reveal the beautifully complex truths of her community. Passionate about the intersection of art and social impact\, Keda is dedicated to creating spaces where creativity thrives and where art serves as a catalyst for positive change. Her approach is grounded in a commitment to diversity\, collaboration\, and the belief that every community has a unique story to tell through art. Through her work\, she aims to empower individuals\, elevate community voices\, and contribute to a richer\, more connected cultural landscape. She has had the pleasure of serving as the 5th Ward Cultural Arts District Manager for the Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation since fall of 2024 \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRain Eatmon is a native Houstonian from the Acres Homes community and is a former music educator\, state representative staff member\, City of Houston Council staff member\, and she currently serves as the founder & CEO of the Acres Homes Community Advocacy Group. She aims to lend her expertise in community engagement to help strengthen grassroots leadership in the Acres Homes Community and leverage her partnerships to consolidate resources for residents across Acres Homes. Rain strives to create spaces where community members\, non-profit organizations\, and leaders are able to participate in uplifting their own neighborhoods through intentional\, specialized engagement.​​
URL:https://houstonfreedmenstown.org/events/porch-talk-stronger-together/
LOCATION:Freedmen’s Town Visitor Center\, 1204 Victor St\, Houston\, Texas\, 77019\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://houstonfreedmenstown.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Final.png
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