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X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://houstonfreedmenstown.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Houston Freedmens Town
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260219T173000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20270107T203000
DTSTAMP:20260723T195454Z
CREATED:20260130T182504Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260723T195454Z
UID:5916-1771522200-1799353800@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
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260917T180000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260917T200000
DTSTAMP:20260914T162043Z
CREATED:20260901T215305Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260914T162043Z
UID:6525-1789668000-1789675200@houstonfreedmenstown.org
SUMMARY:Catch the Legacy
DESCRIPTION:We are proud to announce a one-night-only production of Catch the Legacy: Featuring A Signature Performance by the Ensemble Theatre! \nJoin us for an evening celebrating Houston Freedmen’s Town Conservancy’s seminal exhibition BLACKBALL: Baseball\, Barbeque\, and Blues\, and the historic roots of the game through movement by the Ensemble Theatre Houston\, with choreography by Steven J. Scott. This event will feature a guest appearance by a descendant of Hall of Famer Biz Mackey\, Rev. Ray Mackey. \nLight refreshments will be provided\, and parking is available in the 1300 Victor Street parking lot. \n\nTo RSVP\, please visit: https://houstonfreedmenstown.networkforgood.com/events/104553-catch-the-legacy-featuring-a-signature-performance-by-the-ensemble-theatre
URL:https://houstonfreedmenstown.org/events/catch-the-legacy/
LOCATION:Freedmen’s Town Visitor Center\, 1204 Victor St\, Houston\, Texas\, 77019\, United States
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260924T180000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260924T200000
DTSTAMP:20260916T210437Z
CREATED:20260901T215504Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260916T210437Z
UID:6527-1790272800-1790280000@houstonfreedmenstown.org
SUMMARY:Porch Talk: Civic Engagement and What's at Stake for Our Communities
DESCRIPTION:Join us on September 24 | 6–8 PM for an evening conversation about the changing political landscape and how we can stay empowered through civic engagement. Panelists Shea Jordan Smith\, Dr. Coretta Mallet-Fontenot\, and Carmela Walker will explore the critical link between our votes and the preservation of the historical\, communal cultural spaces we have built together. \nWe will examine how to foster greater inclusivity by identifying the voices and pressing issues often missing from our civic engagement discussions. Additionally\, we will share practical strategies for conveying the importance of voting and capturing attention in a crowded landscape\, while discussing our responsibility to act as leaders who move the needle forward for the next generation.​ \n  \nTo RSVP\, please visit: https://houstonfreedmenstown.networkforgood.com/events/104551-porch-talk-civic-engagement-what-s-at-stake \nLight refreshments will be provided\, and parking is available in the 1300 Victor Street parking lot. \n  \nABOUT OUR PANELISTS \nDr. Coretta Mallet-Fontenot \nDr. Coretta Mallet-Fontenot has a career that spans 27 years as an educator in Houston\nIndependent School District. Dr. Mallet-Fontenot holds multiple certifications in Curriculum and\nInstruction\, grades 1-12\, including Elementary\, Secondary\, and English as a Second Language. She has served in various leadership positions in the community\, including NAACP Houston Branch Executive Committee Member and\, as an extension of this role\, the Political Action Committee Chair. During her tenure\, the PAC Committee sponsored debates\, attended No Kings Rallies\, and served as a Deputy Voter Registrar. Dr. Coretta has also served as a Precinct Chair\, HOA Board of Directors\, Water Control and Improvement District 89. She is a former Chair of the Houston Federation of Teachers Committee on Political Education and is a Texas AFL-CIO delegate working to elect its endorsed candidates up and down the ballot. The alignment of these positions has helped identify candidates for political office who support union and educator values.  \nCarmela Walker ​ \n​Since 2006\, Carmela Walker served in various capacities at The Houston Area Urban League. In 2012\, she acquired her master’s in public administration from Texas Southern University’s – Executive MPA program where she became a Texas Legislative Internship Program (TLIP) to learn more about policies integral to Texas state matters during the 83rd legislative session in 2013\, under the late Congressman Sylvester Turner. Currently\, Carmela Walker has produced 3 short films\, a podcast – The Arc of Democracy: Reading Between the Lines during the height of Texas 2025 mid-decade redistricting fight to highlight economic developmental impacts\nthrough partnering roundtable events with clients\, and legacy leaders; coordinates civic engagement workshops with university faculty at TSU/PVU and their scholars through the Center Social Justice Education’s Advocacy U Program. In partnership with The Urban League of Texas\, HAUL’s Center for Social Justice Education program supports constituent advocacy training\, and activities to address state lead concerns. As a capacity building change agent\, she focuses on tracking legislation\, the promotion of civic activity to protect voters within the nonprofit space while addressing concerns through resource sharing within the Houston community at large. \n  \nShea Jordan Smith \nShea Jordan Smith is a Houston-based communications strategist\, digital organizer\, content creator\, and political commentator whose work sits at the intersection of civic engagement\, public policy\, media\, and culture. A native Houstonian\, Shea has spent more than a decade working to make government and politics more accessible and engaging\, particularly for Black communities\, young people\, and communities too often left out of the political process. His experience spans local\, state\, and national campaigns and organizations\, including work in political communications\, digital strategy\, voter engagement\, relational organizing\, and public affairs. Shea has helped develop and execute communications and organizing strategies for candidates\, elected officials\, advocacy organizations\, and civic initiatives across the country. In Houston\, he has remained closely engaged with the issues shaping the region—from voting rights and local government accountability to transportation\, housing\, public safety\, economic opportunity\, and equitable access to public resources. He is also a frequent political and cultural commentator\, using social media and traditional media to translate complex political issues into conversations that are accessible\, timely\, and relevant to everyday people. His commentary has appeared on local and national television\, including ABC\, CNN\, CBS\, NBC\, FOX\, and Spectrum News. Shea earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Public Relations from the University of Houston and has pursued graduate studies at Texas Southern University. At the heart of his work is a belief that civic engagement should extend far beyond Election Day—and that communities are strongest when people understand not only what government is doing\, but how they can influence what happens next. \n​
URL:https://houstonfreedmenstown.org/events/porch-talk-civic-engagement-and-whats-at-stake/
LOCATION:Freedmen’s Town Visitor Center\, 1204 Victor St\, Houston\, Texas\, 77019\, United States
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260926T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260926T120000
DTSTAMP:20260916T151617Z
CREATED:20260901T215718Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260916T151617Z
UID:6531-1790416800-1790424000@houstonfreedmenstown.org
SUMMARY:Quilting Workshop with Community Artists' Collective
DESCRIPTION:Join the Quilting Circle Workshop at the Freedmen’s Town Visitor Center! Led by Michelle Barnes\, CAC Executive Director\, we will introduce the quilting process to beginners starting with the classic nine-patch will be our block design. Instruction will be offered in hand sewing (hand piecing) techniques\, however\, a sewing machine will be available for participants to experience the difference between hand and machine stitching. \nAlthough fabrics and supplies will be provided participants are invited to bring their own fabrics to incorporate in the design and/or to share with the group. Participants are also encouraged to discuss and get advice about a project they have in mind.\nWithin the two hour timeframe\, participants will be able to complete at least one nine inch block and leave with instructions as to how to enlarge and/or complete the project to their satisfaction.\n\nThis workshop is in partnership with Houston Freedmen’s Town Conservancy and Community Artists’ Collective.\n\n\nTo RSVP\, please visit https://houstonfreedmenstown.networkforgood.com/events/104552-quilting-workshop-with-community-artist-collective-and-michelle-barnes.\n\nParking is available at 1300 Victor Street.
URL:https://houstonfreedmenstown.org/events/quilting-workshop-with-community-artists-collective/
LOCATION:Freedmen’s Town Visitor Center\, 1204 Victor St\, Houston\, Texas\, 77019\, United States
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