The overview
City leaders' commemorations on Feb. 13 included a proclamation honoring the university and a resolution calling for renewed strategic planning in the cultural district backed by the full council dais. Both measures came from council member Natasha Harper-Madison, who represents District 1, including the landmarks her office called "pillars of education, faith, and community advocacy" in Austin.
Beyond formally highlighting the university and church's cultural impacts in Austin, Harper-Madison directed the city to continue working on several upgrades on the east side. New lighting, signage, branding and historic markers were proposed to make the district more accessible and enriching, she said, building off the momentum of the historic celebrations.
This year's update builds on other recent planning around the heritage district and a survey of historic sites, legacy businesses and other notable community features. A city map of the African American Cultural Heritage District's assets, including Huston-Tillotson and Ebenezer, can be viewed here.
“While I’d like very much to take the credit for originating the planning process and the thought that goes into and has gone behind the effort, I’m standing on the shoulders of folks who came long before me," Harper-Madison said. "That both speaks to the resilience and commitment of the African American and Black community in Austin, Texas. It also speaks to the hesitation, disinvestment and length of time it’s taken to make the necessary contributions in the Black community and Black assets, and in parts of town that recognize Black contributions to the city of Austin."
What they're saying
Students, faculty and administrators from Austin's only historically Black college or university, or HBCU, turned out to City Hall to support the sesquicentennial recognition.
Jennifer Miles, vice president of student affairs, called the university and its history a "beacon of knowledge and progress in the heart of Austin."
"This university has a rich legacy of nurturing leaders, scholars, as you have heard from, and change-makers," she said. "For generations, Huston-Tillotson has been a vital force in East Austin, empowering individuals through education, fostering a vibrant community. And from arts, sciences to business and education, H-T graduates have made an amazing mark in Austin, shaping the culture, economy and civic life.”
Sky Turntine, a student and campus activities board president, said the civic recognition was deserved given the school's legacy and impact in the community.
"They have helped me so much and given so much back to me. ... H-T have given me the skills and resources that have impacted my life tremendously and given me amazing opportunities," she said.
"I’ve been able to experience the beauty of growing and how this HBCU has helped me as I’ve matriculated through college," she said. "I owe a lot to H-T, it’s been a great experience and just being able to celebrate our sesquicentennial as a soon-to-be graduating senior, it’s been amazing.”
Leroy Davis, co-chair of Ebenezer’s 150th anniversary committee, also spoke to the church's various local and national impacts over its decades in operation.
“Ebenezer has taken a major leadership in shaping not only the East Austin community, but Austin in general," he said. "The East Austin Economic Development Board was founded by Ebenezer members, and we have really reshaped the way that East Austin is going to be and has been developed. In the area of education, many schools in the Austin Independent School District are named after Ebenezer members. ... In the area of politics, we are proud that Charles Urdy who once was a councilman was a member of our church. And in the area of just in general, we have helped to shape the way that Austin looks."
Did you know?
Huston-Tillotson is the oldest institution of higher education in Austin. The current university was formed following the establishment of the Tillotson Institute and Samuel Huston College in the late 1800s, and their merger into the Huston-Tillotson College in the 1950s. It became known as Huston-Tillotson University in 2005.
The university's landmark campus is a local historic site with several buildings dating back more than a century, and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Get involved
Huston-Tillotson's homecoming festivities run through Feb. 22. The university is also hosting a block party in partnership with the San Antonio Spurs on Feb. 18.
Ebenezer congregants celebrated the church's anniversary during its Feb. 16 service.
