African-Americans

Celebrating Cultural Legacies

You can’t discuss Austin’s culture without discussing its music scene. The capital city is, after all, well-known for its something-for-everyone musical atmosphere, which has evolved from a crossroads of cultures for more than 80 years. And the African-American influence has been there from the start.

In the 1920s, performers such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie visited the city's jazz joints. By the 1960s, Austin’s blues scene emerged from R&B houses like the Johnny Holmes' Victory Grill, once part of a network of Southern venues where black musicians performed.

As the city continued to expand, so did its music scene. The area along East 11th Street became known as the East End Cultural Heritage District and currently plays host to East End Fourth Fridays and the East End Summertime Concert Series. The concerts celebrate the area's heritage with rhythm and blues, jazz, and gospel music, and span from April through October.

In September, the multi-day Austin Jazz and Arts Festival takes center stage, showcasing nationally and internationally acclaimed musicians and artists at the popular venue, Kenny Dorham's Backyard. In addition, the Pro Arts Collective presents a year-round schedule of performances that celebrate African-American artistic influence in the community.

Of course, music is just one part of Austin’s cultural scene. Check out cultural sites around our city to see what else Austin has to offer.

Cultural Sites

George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center
1165 Angelina St
Austin TX 78702
512-472-4809
www.ci.austin.tx.us/carver
The George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center pays tribute to Dr. Washington, the "peanut doctor," whose efforts aided black sharecroppers throughout the South in the early 20th century. In addition to changing exhibits and educational programs, the facility has four permanent galleries. They feature an exhibit on Austin’s African-American families, an artist’s gallery, a children's exhibit on African-American scientists and inventors, and a core exhibit about the state’s Juneteenth holiday.

Rosewood Recreation Center
1182 North Pleasant Valley Rd.
Austin, TX 78702
512-472-6838
www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/rosewood
On the 23-acre campus of Huston-Tillotson University, Texas’ first institute of higher learning for African-Americans, the Rosewood Recreation Center is home to two historical structures: the Madison Cabin and the Doris Miller Auditorium. The Madison Cabin houses historical documents and relics related to African-American heritage. The Doris Miller Auditorium, named for Pearl Harbor hero and Navy Cross recipient Doris "Dorie" Miller, hosts year-round classes, workshops and special events. The park also features the Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex, complete with bowling alley, roller-skating rink, a movie theater and an arcade.

Old Administration Building
Huston-Tillotson University
900 Chicon St.
Austin, TX 78702
512-505-3000
www.htu.edu
On the 23-acre campus of Huston-Tillotson University, Texas’ first institute of higher learning for African-Americans and the first west of the Mississippi, the Old Administration Building was constructed in 1913 and reopened after extensive renovation in 2004. With around 650 students, enrollment at the liberal arts and sciences school is primarily Black; however admission is open to all races, ages and religions.

Community Resources

Capital City African American Chamber of Commerce
5407 N. IH-35, Ste. 304
Austin, TX 78723
512-459-1181; fax, 512-489-1183
www.capcitychamber.org
This membership-based organization promotes the creation, growth and success of African-American-owned businesses in the Austin community. The chamber also assists the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau in attracting African-American conventions and group meetings to the city.

Austin Area Urban League
1033 La Posada Dr., Ste. 150
Austin, TX 78752
512-478-7176; fax 512-478-1239
www.aaul.org
This nonprofit agency provides outreach assistance, business partnerships and programming for the African-American community in Austin. The league’s headquarters also offers four computer labs available for public use.

EastAustinOnline.com
www.eastaustinonline.com
An online magazine which spotlights the East Austin community and features a directory for businesses, churches, social services, restaurants, events and careers.

Soulciti.com
www.soulciti.com
This website provides up-to-date information on local events, news, film reviews and opinion polls.

Urban Life and Style
www.urbanlifeandstyle.com
A resource that includes news, events, a box office and health information.

Austin Black Pages Directory
www.austinblackpages.com
It’s an online directory that offers listings of local African-American-owned businesses, including restaurants and entertainment venues, as well as other community services and events.