Revitalization efforts in Freedmen’s Town preserve history and community spirit

HOUSTON – Many of the homes in Houston’s Freedmen’s Town have stood since the 1920s, embodying the ingenuity and strength of their builders.

For Charonda Johnson, a fifth-generation resident, these homes are more than just historic artifacts—they represent the enduring spirit of the first African American community in Houston.

“I lived through ten failed master plans,” Johnson recounted. “They didn’t have a strong community element; it was always about the developers and businesses. This community has weathered gentrification, urban renewal, and eminent domain, which has drained wealth from black families. We need an investment vehicle to bring people back and reinvest. That’s exactly what Zion Escobar and her group have done.”

“Freedmen’s Town is the child of that Juneteenth holiday,” Zion Escobar, CEO of the Freedmen’s Town Community Investment Initiative, recounted during a recent launch event at 1500 Victor Street. “To celebrate the holiday without understanding this history is to miss the truth and resilience that built it.”

Founded by emancipated slaves after June 19, 1865, Freedmen’s Town quickly flourished into a cultural hub, earning the nickname “Black Wall Street” by 1930. However, decades of challenges including redlining, urban development, and the construction of Interstate 45 took a toll on the community.

Today, the Initiative is determined to reverse this decline.

By focusing on affordable housing, preserving cultural landmarks, and fostering equitable commercial spaces, they aim to restore Freedmen’s Town to its former vibrancy.

“We’re driving investment into Freedmen’s Town, changing perceptions about what’s possible in this historic black community,” Escobar explained.

The initiative plans to renovate 10 single-family units and build six new structures, addressing Houston’s pressing need for affordable housing while ensuring current and displaced residents can return to their roots.

Charonda Johnson expressed hope and gratitude for the initiative’s efforts: “Finally, the city government and other entities are lining up to help us preserve our history, heritage and legacy and letting us be the forefront of leading it, we couldn’t ask for anything better,” Johnson said.

As Freedmen’s Town looks toward the future, its residents are optimistic about preserving its rich heritage and creating a sustainable community for generations to come.

For more information on Freedmen’s Town and its ongoing revitalization efforts, click here.