“There is a connection, hard to explain logically, but easy to feel, between achievement in public life [i.e. societal progress] and progress in the Arts.” (John F. Kennedy)
Relate this statement to Houston’s historically Black communities, and it leaves little to wonder why they have so easily fallen to gentrification. The struggle for societal “progress,” the quality of “civilization,” renders our communities sitting targets.
This, however, is not a commentary on gentrification; I have a short film that addresses a bit of that topic. This is about the Arts, the absence or nominal presence thereof in historically Black communities, its connection to the struggle for societal progress, and why it is newsworthy, half-way through 2025, that the fourth largest city in the nation is just experiencing the first Black Arts Festival that involves partnership and collaboration of all major artistic institutions across two Arts Districts.
And why this Acres Homes native and resident artist finds it even greater than newsworthy.
It is, in fact, groundbreaking and pivotal that in honor of the first, Biennial Fade to Black Arts Festival, Acres Homes Takes the Theatre District! If you think this is much ado about nothing, then examine the impositions and executive orders of President #47 as they relate to the Arts, and their impact on the Black community.
The Houston Black Arts Festival recently lost $10k in funding from the National Endowment of the Arts, which occurred right after President #47 proposed to eliminate the NEA and appointed Mary Anne Carter to its leadership.
The Kennedy Center was just stripped of its leadership as #47 placed himself as Chairman of the Board.
President #47 not only fired Carla Hayden, the first Black Librarian of Congress, but also placed his own personal lawyer as acting Librarian in her place, in his attempt to seize the Library of Congress.
Then there is the executive order to end federal funding to National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).
And if you thought tariffs were all about car parts and knick-knacks “Made In China,” consider its impact on national museums and galleries. In March, President #47 called for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The staff, in its entirety, was placed on administrative leave. This same attack was made on the Smithsonian, calling for removal of what has been classified as “divisive, race-centered ideology.” As a result, the Smithsonian has begun removing important artifacts from the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
While many of these executive orders can and will be challenged in the courts, it is worth examining.
Why has President #47 moved forthwith into commandeering the most notable institutions of Art & Culture in the country, while usurping funding to community-based organizations? Why have Houston’s sister communities been so systematically marginalized and underserved in their efforts regarding Arts & Culture in their communities? One would have to look back at the words of former President John F. Kennedy for the answers.
I must digress momentarily to the sentiments of Houston Mayor John Whitmire regarding the Complete Communities initiative of former Mayor Sylvester Turner. Whitmire believes “the City of Houston is a complete community, and as mayor, focuses on providing services that enhance the quality of life for all Houstonians regardless of where they live.”
I wholeheartedly disagree. The City of Houston is not a complete community because the communities that comprise it are not complete; Houston’s historically Black communities have been thwarted at every turn in their pursuit of completeness, and the Arts – the humanizer, the civilizer, the reviver – has been among the most elusive of transformative efforts toward that completeness.
Black artists have faced daunting challenges in consistently providing Houston’s historically Black communities with viable Arts experiences, from funding to accessible venues and platforms, consistent erasure, devaluing, and appropriation of historical and present artistic contributions, quantity and quality of opportunities. Understanding the power of the Arts, these artists have persevered.
Third Ward has enjoyed the presence of the Community Artist Collective; founder Michelle Barnes has a story to tell. Fifth Ward enjoys the restoration of the Deluxe Theatre, but has its own story of years of artistic deprivation. Every community can tell its own story of artistic and cultural struggle, synonymous with the struggle for “societal progress”.
As President #47 seeks to control the Art & Cultural landscape of this country, Black communities must do what we’ve always done: fight for our survival.
As I work to offer viable, quality, consistent, artistic experiences to the community of Acres Homes, with no Arts venue to speak of, I am grateful for what funding I am able to procure from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, while it lasts.
It is with that support, as well as loyal Acres Homes followers and patrons, businesses, churches, organizations and dedicated artists, that in honor of the first, Biennial Fade to Black Arts Festival, Acres Homes Takes the Theatre District! As we converge on the Downtown – Midtown Arts Districts, what is most important is that Black artists will return to their respective communities, empowered, with greater exposure and connection to our city, the Arts community, and our sister communities, poised and motivated to unify in our efforts.
June 8-14, Houston will Fade to Black. On June 10, 7:30 pm, at the MATCH (Matchbox 4), an Acres Homes original production, H Place, a play with music, about history, heritage and legacy, will hit the stage. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.sixwhitehorses.org/event-details/h-place. Tickets may also be purchased at the door of Matchbox 4.
Norma Jo Thomas, Acres Homes native and resident artist, is an award-winning writer, director, and producer of stage and film. She is an Arts educator and Arts entrepreneur; French Creole Productions founder and co-CEO of Six White Horses, Inc; podcaster (Shop Talk the barbershop podcast); published and self-published author.