City of Austin Hosts Black Land Matters Symposium

The City of Austin Announces Black Land Matters Symposium

In a move to emphasize the vital value of black landownership and its relevance to housing, the City of Austin has invited the public to its upcoming Black Land Matters Symposium. Slated for June 14, 2024, the event will be hosted in the Shudde Fath Conference Room at the Austin Energy Headquarters in Austin, Texas.

Focus and Goal of the Symposium

The City of Austin’s Housing Department teams up with Economic Development to host this event with a loaded lineup of renowned panelists. The primary focus of this symposium is to showcase housing’s interconnectedness with other industries and fields. Yet, at its core, the event aims to re-center landownership’s importance within African American communities. Such ownership serves to stabilize these communities, fostering self-determination and cultural sustainability.

Featured Speakers and Panelists

Among the highlights of the symposium are two prominent figures in the realm of landownership and rural community advocacy: Shirley Sherrod, co-founder of New Communities Inc., and Natalie Baszile, acclaimed author and creator of Queen Sugar. Joining them are local community voices and leaders, including city officials and a representative from Black Austin Tours.

Shirley Sherrod

Shirley Sherrod is a force in advancing systemic justice and equity, particularly in rural development sectors. She co-founded the Southwest Georgia Project for Community Education, Inc. in 1966 and the New Communities, Inc. in 1969, marking the establishment of the first Community Land Trust in the United States.

Natalie Baszile

Natalie Baszile’s work extends far beyond her notable novel, Queen Sugar, which has been adapted for television for seven seasons. She also delves into non-fiction to illuminate the relationship between Black people and the land both historically and presently in her book, We Are Each Other’s Harvest: Celebrating African American Farmers, Land & Legacy.

Symposium Schedule

The event commences at 2 p.m. and features a succession of relevant sessions, including Displacement Prevention – addressing Taxes, Titles & Wills to protect your family home, and the Power of Narrative – which foregrounds the histories and the current challenges of land loss. The program will wrap up with a reception and light refreshments at 5:30 p.m.

Accessibility and Language Accommodation

The City of Austin is committed to ensuring full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. There are provisions for reasonable modifications and equal access to communications upon request, including translation and interpretation services. Also, Video Relay Service (VRS) calls from the Deaf or hard-of-hearing community are readily accepted through Relay Texas 7-1-1.

All Are Welcome

The event is free and open to the public. To those who cannot attend in person, the symposium will be live-streamed on ATXN Channel 2, providing everyone the opportunity to partake in this momentous event.