Author: Alyse Tatum
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SXSW Debuts New Festival Format as Austin Convention Center Renovation Reshapes the Event
With its longtime headquarters under construction, SXSW is bringing film, music, and tech programming together at the same time across downtown Austin. For the first time in its history, South by Southwest—better known as SXSW—is trying a new format that brings its major festivals and conferences together simultaneously. The shift comes as the Austin Convention…
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ESSENCE Festival 2026 Announces First Wave of Performers, Leading with the Ladies
The first wave of performers for the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture has been announced, and the message is clear: the women who shaped the culture are still leading it. Presented by Coca-Cola, the festival revealed the first artists scheduled for its signature Evening Concert Series at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The Wave…
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Rooted, Restricted, and Rising: Black Austin in Context
Austin’s Black community did not arrive by accident, and its displacement did not happen by coincidence. To understand the present landscape of Black-owned businesses, grassroots organizations, and ongoing inequities, we have to start with policy. A City by Design: The 1928 Plan and the Making of East Austin In 1928, Austin adopted its first comprehensive…
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Heath Donell Creech Day Celebrates a Visionary Who Helped Shape Black Austin
On March 7, the city of Austin pauses to recognize the lasting legacy of Heath Donell Creech, a visionary community builder whose influence helped shape the cultural landscape of the city. Self-proclaimed as the “Godfather of Austin,” Creech dedicated his life to uplifting Black culture, strengthening community institutions, and ensuring that Black stories in Austin…
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The Black History of Jacksonville, Florida: A Legacy of Resilience and Entrepreneurship
When most people hear “Jacksonville, Florida”, they usually think of its beaches. However, it should also be known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and the significant place it holds in the narrative of Black America. Founded in the 1820s, Jacksonville became a pivotal site for the African American community, particularly after the Civil War…