Black History Month 2023: History & History Makers

Fort Worth History: During the 1940’s and 50’s ​​ (a)   ​was a Jazz Landmark.​

• I.M. Terrell High School
• Dunbar High School
• Arlington Heights High School
• Northside High School
• Paschal High School

Answer explanation

ANSWER: I.M. Terrell High School

https://www.fortworth.com/blog/post/african-american-history-self-guided-tour/

Fort Worth History: Organized in September 1875 by twelve former slaves, ​ (a)   is the oldest continuously operating African-American Baptist Church in Fort Worth. 

• Mt. Gilead Baptist Church
• Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church
• Worth Baptist Church
• Mount Zion Baptist Church

Answer explanation

ANSWER: Mt. Gilead Baptist Church

Mt. Gilead Baptist Church is the oldest continuously operating African-American Baptist Church in Fort Worth. It was organized in September 1875 by twelve former slaves who later built a modest structure in a black settlement called “Baptist Hill” near present-day 15th and Crump Streets. Considered the “mother church of Fort Worth Black Baptists,” it soon became a symbol of African American self-determination. 

 https://www.fortworth.com/blog/post/african-american-history-self-guided-tour/

Fort Worth History: Stop Six is the neighborhood’s nickname. What is the neighborhood’s real name?

Answer explanation

ANSWER: Cowanville

The historic Stop Six neighborhood in southeast Fort Worth was founded by African-American pioneer Amanda Davis (1865-1960), who purchased a one-acre tract in the undeveloped area in 1896 for $45. Mrs. Davis had 10 children, raised poultry and worked as a laundress. Amanda Avenue is named for her.

Alonzo and Sarah Cowan paid $200 for three acres in the community of small farms and homesteads in 1902. Mr. Cowan donated land for the area’s first church, Cowan McMillan United Methodist Church. The community was segregated, and it became known for its successful black-owned barber and beauty shops, barbecue stands and other businesses. 

https://stopsixcni.org/history/

Fort Worth History: The Northern Texas Traction Co. ran an electric-powered, interurban streetcar through this community from 1902 to 1934. It was the sixth stop on the 90-minute trip from the Tarrant County Courthouse to Dallas.

• Como

• Mossier Valley

• Stop Six

• Rock Island Bottom

Answer explanation

ANSWER: Stop Six

The Northern Texas Traction Co. ran an electric-powered, interurban streetcar through the community from 1902 to 1934. Cowanville was the sixth stop on the 90-minute trip from the Tarrant County Courthouse to Dallas. The nickname “Stop Six” stuck.

https://stopsixcni.org/history/

Fort Worth History: During the 1950s, Interstate 35W sliced through the middle of this neighborhood, decimating whole blocks and half of a park.

• Como

• Mossier Valley

• Stop Six

• Rock Island Bottom

Answer explanation

ANSWER: Rock Island Bottom

At the turn of the 20th century, as many as 500 African American families lived in Fort Worth’s thriving Rock Island Bottom neighborhood.

The Hill, an African American community just west of The Bottom, was also decimated by the interstate construction. "[Mr. Eisenhower’s] vision came through and it destroyed the neighborhoods, not just in the black community, but all over that part of town.”

Walker remembered the quality of life in Rock Island and Hill communities as modest and friendly.

https://www.fwhs.org/rock-island-hillside-neighborhood-history/

​ Fort Worth History: ______ was opened in 1882 as the city's first black school.

Answer explanation

ANSWER: I.M. Terrell High School

The school opened in 1882 as the city's first black school, during the era of formal racial segregation in the United States. In 1882, Isaiah Milligan Terrell (1859–1931) became the head of East Ninth Street Colored School, the first free public school for African Americans in Fort Worth. Terrell became Principal and Superintendent of Colored Schools in 1890. In 1906, the school moved to a location at East Twelfth and Steadman Streets, and was renamed North Side Colored School No. 11. A new school building opened in 1910, with Terrell as principal. The school was renamed I.M Terrell High School in 1921, in honor of the former principal.

https://www.fortworth.com/blog/post/african-american-history-self-guided-tour/

Fort Worth History: This area of Fort Worth, located just south of Euless, was the first freedman's town in Tarrant County.

• Como

• Mossier Valley

• Stop Six

• Rock Island Bottom

Answer explanation

ANSWER: Mosier Valley

In 1870, former slaves Robert and Dilsie Johnson received a 40-acre tract of land here as a wedding gift from plantation owner Lucy Lee. Soon other freedmen settled in Mosier Valley, and in 1883 a community school was organized. A schoolhouse, built at this site about 1924, served as a focal point for the surrounding area. It was replaced by a brick structure in 1953. Mosier Valley students were integrated in 1969. Today the site serves as a reminder of the area's earliest citizens and as a symbol of the community's rich heritage. (1983)

https://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/Details/5439004839

IMAGE: https://fortworthreport.org/2022/02/27/historically-black-neighborhood-may-see-funding-to-finish-long-awaited-park-in-east-fort-worth/

Fort Worth History: Known as "the unofficial mayor of Como”, ​​ _______ helped the Como neighborhood receive better funding for the community center, elementary school, and the streets in Como.

Answer explanation

ANSWER: Viola Pitts

https://www.fortworth.com/blog/post/viola-pitts-the-unofficial-mayor-of-como/

Fort Worth History: As the Boy's High School Basketball's all-time winningest coach, _________ led the "Flyin' Wildcats" of Dunbar High School to 30 district titles, 13 state finals appearances, and 3 state championships ('93,'03,'06) during his 32 years ('73-'05) at the school.

Answer explanation

ANSWER: Robert Hughes

Dunbar High school gained national prominence with the remarkable success of its basketball program led for 32 years by Coach Robert Hughes, the winningest boys high school basketball coach in the United States. https://stopsixcni.org/history/

Current History Makers (30 under 30): Take a Guess! 🤔 Match these history makers with their contribution!

• Founder, Vocal Justice

• 
• Associate Narrative Designer, Sledgehammer Games

• 
• Marketing Manager, Epic Games

• 
• Founder, Source Code Academy Canada

• 

Answer explanation

⭐ Shawon Jackson, 28

Founder, Vocal Justice

From reciting a poem at age 6 for Black History Month to studying social justice in college, Shawon Jackson developed a passion that would lead him to founding Vocal Justice in 2019. Through the nonprofit, 57 middle- and high-school teachers in 17 states have facilitated culturally affirming public-speaking curriculum in existing classes or in after-school programs--improving students' confidence, communication and critical consciousness. https://www.forbes.com/profile/shawon-jackson/?sh=4790e06d27f2

⭐ Curtis Carmichael, 29

Founder, Source Code Academy Canada

Curtis Carmichael is an author, speaker and founder of Source Code Academy Canada. The organization offers courses for K-12 students on topics of entrepreneurship, financial literacy and technological innovation feeding into the future of work and digital economy. The team aims to open its first freestanding facility in mid-2023 on the east side of Toronto. https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/2023/education/?profile=curtis-carmichael

⭐ Oyin Egbuson, 27

Marketing Manager, Epic Games

Oyin Egbuson is one of the youngest members of the "Fortnite" marketing team, and was the first black female. She focuses on sports, music and fashion collaborations, bringing the first female athlete (Naomi Osaka), Asian American athlete (Chloe Kim) and the first Latina and member of the LGBTQIA+ community (Chica) into the game. She's worked on other collaborations with Lebron James, Jordan brand, and J Balvin, and develops the marketing strategy to bring these collaborations to market. Previously she worked as a marketing manager at Microsoft on the "Minecraft" team and Xbox, where she restructured the content creation program and increased their viewership. https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/2023/games?profile=oyin-egbuson

⭐ Matthew Musey, 22

Associate Narrative Designer, Sledgehammer Games

Matthew Musey is the first African-American narrative designer at any of Activision's studios, and one of the youngest people ever to get a writers credit on a AAA game. He was admitted into the Writers Guild of America West at the age of 21 for his work on "Call of Duty: Vanguard." Musey is also developing his own multimedia company STMT Media, a collection of story series focused on uplifting women, minority, & international voices in multimedia. https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/2023/games?profile=matthew-musey