With catalytic support from Kinder Foundation, the Wagner Foundation, and a dozen Preservation Champions, and in partnership with the City of Houston and artist Theaster Gates, phase two of the project focuses on preserving and returning more than 30,000 historic bricks previously removed from Freedmen’s Town, constructing a pavilion to temporarily house the bricks, and rehabilitating three historic homes.

Established in 1865, Freedmen’s Town is a 40-block area west of downtown Houston that was built by the newly freed Black people who lived there. The most significant intact Freedmen’s Town in the country, its residents formed a vibrant community anchored by hand-made brick streets that are a testament to the resilience and possibility of Black places.

Three homes on Mt. Horeb Missionary Baptist Church’s property will be rehabilitated – a pivotal step in preserving and revitalizing the cultural assets of the community. These homes are integral to the rich heritage and history of Freedmen’s Town.

While the comprehensive design for the full preservation of Freedmen’s Town’s brick streets is being completed by Houston Public Works, the partnership will continue to host and inspire a range of artistic activations and community engagement events.

Additionally, this initiative represents a vital economic investment in the community, catalyzing revenue generation through increased tourism, cultural events, and local business support.

Technical oversight for phase two of the project will be led by on-site archaeologist Dr. Alexandra Jones, who specializes in African diaspora archaeology, community archaeology, and archaeology outreach. Charonda Johnson will serve as the Freedmen’s Town Cultural Monitor and Mich Stevenson as Project Lead. With the support of Workforce Solutions, Freedmen’s Town residents will be trained and paid to help preserve the historic bricks and prepare them to return to Freedmen’s Town.

The Rebirth in Action project, launched in 2022, aims to fully preserve the 0.7 miles of Freedmen’s Town’s historic brick streets and catalyze the ongoing preservation of Freedmen’s Town.