Houston has an ample supply of Black history and Black history makers.
And if you haven’t already, please add John Guess and the work he’s done as the longtime leader of the Houston Museum of African American Culture (HMAAC) to that esteemed list.
That’s what local rising star artist Douglas James Jr. (aka Nato Jones) and Houston City Councilman Edward Pollard did recently. The duo produced and coordinated the unveiling of an updated piece of H-Town art that permanently immortalizes Guess for his contributions to Houston’s art scene and beyond.
‘Houston Black History’
“A few years ago [Nato James] did a piece that celebrated a lot of the Black Houstonians and their contributions to the city over the years. He has a sequel to that,” said Pollard, who organized the recent unveiling of the piece which was held at Guess’s beloved HMAAC. “The piece is really cool because it depicts many different figures throughout Houston’s history: people who have made a lot of sacrifices and gave a lot of effort to put us in a position where we are today, for advancement and progress.”
The “sequel” to James’ original “Houston Black History” poster is really an updated version, with additional faces included. One of those new faces is Guess, though he is not new to the game-changing community-building work he does.
Guess and HMAAC
“I’m just thrilled that Councilman Ed Pollard decided to update the official Houston Black History poster with the inclusion of me,” said Guess. “I never expected it, but I now join the pantheon of people who have defined Houston Black history.”
Guess, however, is quick to point out that it’s not just him who should be receiving recognition.
“I mean all the people who work here at HMAAC, all the people out in the community that we work with. I’m a representation of Black people’s hard work,” Guess added, referring to what makes HMAAC unique.
“We’re the only museum in a building and in the community. No one’s in the community like we are. We have message murals. Not art. Message murals. In the Third Ward, in the Fifth Ward in Wheatley High School and Sunnyside,” shared Guess, who reminded the art unveiling attendees that HMAAC does so much more.
“We are Houston’s Black film source,” he said. “The first time anybody saw Black Panther was when we brought it here at an advanced screen. Ava DuVernay, who’s a big fan of ours, we had a free showing of her movie Origins because we felt people needed to see it before it left theaters. We have public art, we have documentaries of the work that’s been done here by artists or in the community. We do work with people in Paris. We do work with people in Ghana. But mostly in the city of Houston, we work with people in the community.”
Overdue recognition
The artist of the Houston Black History poster, James, is “just recognizing all the Houston pillars here in our city.”
“I wanted to actually try to do something to kind of give back to the community because people deserve their flowers,” said James.
Attendees at the updated art piece’s unveiling couldn’t agree more, especially one who may be a bit biased.
“My significant other is John Guess. He has been running this museum since its inception almost, and we’re just so proud of him to finally get some of the recognition that we think he deserves times 10,” said iconic local news figure Melanie Lawson. “The HMAAC has been a labor of love since the very beginning and it’s important to John to not only be inside a museum where people can come, but to be outside in the community where so many people are celebrating in their own right.”
Lawson said Guess and HMAAC provide an invaluable service by introducing Houstonians to many artists who haven’t been seen in this part of the country and using the artistic space to confront the big issues our society, and Black people in particular, face.
A glance at past HMAAC art shows reads like headline news. For example, one of HMAAC’s showings, “Stairwell of Memory,” featured portraits and other artistic renderings in honor of the late Sandra Bland and George Floyd, as well as Robbie Tolan, who lived to survive his harrowing experience of racial profiling and brutality of Houston-area law enforcement.
That’s just one of many hot-button issues centered at HMAAC.
Pollard, a longtime HMAAC fan, doesn’t miss an opportunity to spotlight the institution or its executive director.
“It’s great to be able to showcase [the Houston Black History artwork] not only for the artist but to have it here at the HMAAC for the public to enjoy. It’s another way for us to highlight this museum. Many people still don’t know a lot about the museum,” Pollard said. “So, I try to do what I can to give it a platform and to have exhibits and events here, to get more people to come out, learn how they can support the museum, and also learn a lot about our Black history and our Black arts.”
