| | February 2021 Newsletter This month’s newsletter is dedicated in memory of Emancipation Park Conservancy’s inaugural board member, Mrs. Drucie R. Chase. |
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|  | Dear Friends, When you see a flame, use it to spark your fire. Let the flames of the trials, tribulations, triumphants, and contributions of our ancestors spark a fire that can ignite and inspire a new generation to serve during the celebration of Black History Month and beyond. Emancipation Park Conservancy has created a virtual campaign called #BlackHistoryEveryday to celebrate African Americans during the month of February. The campaign will spotlight the incredible strides of the Historic Third Ward community, and the various activities happening throughout the month as we continue our efforts to establish Emancipation Park as the people's park, and an inclusive global landmark. Our plans for the Historic Emancipation Park are as ambitious as our founders' dreams. We continue to build a team of doers and dreamers who are committed to the work that the conservancy does every single day. We welcome Jonathan Howard, the newest member of our EPC team who will serve as our Operations Manager. Find your flame, spark your fire!  Lucy Bremond, Executive Director Emancipation Park Conservancy  Engaging with EPC just got easier. Stay connected to Emancipation Park all in one place. |
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| | We are working proactively to bring you interactive virtual events that keep you connected to Emancipation Park from the comfort of your home. For special event and marketing inquiries or to share your ideas, contact Kynetta Moore at events@epconservancy.org. |
| | #BlackHistoryEveryday Virtual Campaign |
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|  | It's Black History Month! This year Emancipation Park Conservancy (EPC) has created a virtual campaign to celebrate. #BlackHistoryEveryday is a national campaign via EPC's digital platforms to celebrate African American excellence beyond Black History Month. It provides an opportunity to communicate, share, and recognize the significant contributions African Americans have made to help shape American history, culture, and society. This inclusive campaign aims to promote awareness and encourage all ethnicities to acknowledge and highlight Black excellence every day of the year. The campaign will spotlight Emancipation Park, the incredible strides of the Third Ward community (including partners and sponsors), and the various activities happening throughout the month. The campaign will also include a Did You Know? series sponsored by Houston Airport System. The series will highlight African American pioneers that are from the surrounding Third Ward or Greater Houston communities. Follow EPC on Facebook and Instagram to learn more. |
| | Black History Month Volunteer Project |
| | During Black History Month, register to participate in Emancipation Park Conservancy's Virtual Park Audio Tour Volunteer Project during our #BlackHistoryEverday celebration. This tour has been funded in part by a grant from the Fondren Fund for Texas of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Experience the rich history and heritage of Emancipation Park and explore its thoughtful architecture and state-of the art recreational facilities. Your participation in this very important project is instrumental in helping EPC enhance its educational, historic, and entertaining virtual tour. The results helps us fulfill our mission: to enhance Emancipation Park by preserving its integrity and enriching its heritage as a local, state, national, and international landmark. To learn more and register, click the button below. |
| | |  | Houston Airport System Recognizes #BlackHistoryEverday |
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|  | Houston Airport System (HAS) recognizes Mrs. Azellia White, one of the first African American women to earn a pilot’s license in the United States. HAS acknowledges the contributions that African American aviators have made. With its continued efforts to educate future aviators, HAS is certain to have more successful aerospace professionals in the years to come. Mrs. Azellia White was recognized as a trailblazer, overcoming widespread perceptions at the time, "that neither women nor African Americans were qualified to fly airplanes." White was trained by several Tuskegee Airmen in Tuskegee, Alabama, where her husband worked as an airplane mechanic for the famed Black pilots. She earned her license on March 26, 1946. That same year, the Whites moved to South Houston and founded the Sky Ranch Flying Service along with Tuskegee Airmen Ben Stevenson and Elton "Ray" Thomas. Located on the Taylor-Stevenson Ranch, the Sky Ranch Flying Service was an airport for Houston's Black community and provided charter flights as well as flying lessons. In April 2018, White was inducted into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame (housed in The Lone Star Flight Museum). In Houston, the Aviation Science Lab at Sterling High School was named in her honor. |
| | Emancipation Park Conservancy Receives Houston Endowment Grant |
|  | Just in time for its #BlackHistoryEveryday virtual campaign, Emancipation Park Conservancy is one of 55 organizations selected to receive Houston Endowment's $20 million grant to advance racial and equity justice locally. The organizations receiving funds are addressing anti-Black racism and systemic injustices in our city. They include both existing partners and those identified by Houston Endowment through Black leaders, organizers, and advocates who have earned the trust of the communities they serve. With these funds, Houston Endowment has sought to honor, recognize, and support historic Black institutions that have served as landmarks in the struggle for Black liberation, while also supporting new and emerging Black voices that will deepen our understanding of the issues facing Black communities and helping to move the work of social justice and racial equity forward. (Source: Houston Endowment) |
| | | In Memory of Mrs. Drucie R. Chase |
|  | This spotlight is in honor and memory of Mrs. Drucie R. Chase who departed this life on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. Emancipation Park Conservancy extends its most sincere love, appreciation and condolences to her family and friends. Mrs. Chase served on the Emancipation Park Conservancy Board since its inception in 2014, serving with great commitment, exceptional leadership, organizational proficiency, and a superior moral character that was loved and admired. Mrs. Chase, a distinguished community volunteer, was born in Austin Texas. She graduated, at just 19 years old, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Huston-Tillotson College in Austin. She taught in the public school systems of Austin and Houston, Texas, and was a devoted educator for many years. She was married to John S. Chase, noted architect in the City of Houston, and they were longtime members of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. After retiring from teaching, Mrs. Chase remained dedicated to raising her three children, while helping Mr. Chase grow his architect firm. Mrs. Chase also served on the Board of the Houston Botanic Gardens, the Houston Museum of African American Culture and was a part of numerous organizations including the Houston Chapter of the Links Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (served as president), and The Moles (charter member). Mrs. Chase firmly believed that Emancipation Park, because of its culture and history, has been and will continue to be a major asset to in the Greater Third Ward Area, and to the city of Houston. To read more about Mrs. Chase, click here. |
| | Welcome Aboard Jonathan Howard |
|  | We are happy to welcome and announce our new team member. Jonathan Howard is the Operations Manager for Emancipation Park Conservancy. He is responsible for enhancing the Conservancy’s operational processes and daily business operations, elevating the park visitor experience, and managing capital improvement and park maintenance projects in collaboration with multiple project entities including the City of Houston parks teams, TIRZ #7, vendors, advocacy groups, vendors, volunteers, and other stakeholder groups. To read more about Mr. Howard, click here. |
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| | Even in light of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, Emancipation Park Conservancy strives to maintain programs in the areas of economic empowerment, health and wellness, and education that are resourceful, fun, culturally relevant, informative, and offer unique opportunities to our community. For program or partnership inquiries, contact us at program@epconservancy.org. |
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| | Tech Pivots Series for Small Business Owners |
|  | Did you miss an event? Be sure to visit our YouTube Channel to replay our workshops! The Emancipation Park Conservancy Economic Empowerment Small Business & Entrepreneur Technology training program, made possible through our sponsor Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation and community partner Emancipation Economic Development Council, provides training for small businesses and entrepreneurs. In the Fall, participants learned how to use technology to effectively brand and market their business online, conduct online sales and e-commerce, and to navigate their online taxes and accounting software for successful business management. In the Spring, participants will receive two technology-specific, hands-on training opportunities that will help them use and navigate online financial tools such as Excel and QuickBooks, and will teach them how to track sales on the website and analytics. Registration dates coming soon. Visit our website Calendar to view upcoming events. |
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| | Get Fit in the Tre Virtual Experience Get Fit in the Tre virtual experience is still going strong. EPC is continuing to provide virtual fitness programming, encouraging our community to stay vigilant and do our part in helping to stop the spread of COVID-19. It is important for us to continue taking care of our minds and bodies by eating healthy and participating in some form of physical activity. Each week Get Fit in the Tre offers fitness options that can be accessed on our YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram pages at your convenience. All of our workouts can be completed from the safety of your home. Be sure to take photos and videos of your workouts and tag @EPConservancy to be featured on our social media pages. |
| | Hip Hop Step Aerobics with Gretchen Jean Join us every Monday and Wednesday on Facebook at 6:00 p.m. for a 30-minute intense workout with Gretchen Jean. Gretchen guides us through a fun, interactive experience that is appropriate for all ages and fitness levels. This workout can be modified to participate with or without an aerobic step platform. |
|  | | Fitness Tips with Tia of Grace and Grit Fitness Check out this video of Tia demonstrating great exercises you can add to your daily routine. Each week, Tia shares fitness and wellness tips from healthy recipes, beauty/hair regimens when working out, to workouts you can complete right at home. |
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| | Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr: Virtual Roundtable and Service+ Opportunity |
|  | On Monday, January 18, 2020, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Emancipation Park Conservancy's Board Vice Chairman, Mrs. Jacqueline Bostic joined Perkins+Will to discuss the historical and design significance of Emancipation Park. Mrs. Bostic is also the great granddaughter of Reverend John Henry 'Jack' Yates, one of the park founders. Click the video to replay this great discussion. |
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| | | | | | Event Reservations, Rentals, and Permits during the COVID-19 Pandemic Please note updated information regarding event reservations, rentals, and special event permits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Mayor’s Office of Special Events (MOSE) have advised that all parades, fun runs and walks, bike rides, and festivals are on hold until further notice. For more information, contact MOSE at 832-393-0868, specialevents@houstontx.gov or click here. |
|  | | Emancipation Park Reminders: All indoor facilities are closed. Most outdoor facilities are closed including the playground, basketball court and baseball field. Yellow signs have been placed around the park to remind patrons of closures. If you must visit the park, we strongly caution you to comply with social distancing as directed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization. City of Houston officials have increased park patrol to ensure patrons' safety and compliance. Non-Compliance should be reported to HPARD Dispatch at 832-395-7100. Updated Reservation/Rental Message from HPARD: "In an effort to reduce the community spread of COVID-19, the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) has extended its cancellation of all private permitted reservations until further notice. Currently, no reservations are being accepted. Please be advised that this is an ever-changing and ongoing situation and we will continue to adapt to any directives or guidelines we receive from Mayor Turner as it relates to the health and safety of the City of Houston’s citizens. We appreciate your patience as we continue to work diligently through this global pandemic that is impacting our normal operations." For more information, contact 832-394-8805, askparks@houstontx.gov, visit HPARD website or click here. |
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| | | | | Our mission is to enhance Emancipation Park by preserving its integrity and enriching its heritage as a local, state, national, and international landmark. Your support will help us with capital initiatives, operational improvements, programs, and events to benefit current and future generations. For donation or sponsorship inquiries, contact Patrina Johnson at development@epconservancy.org. |
| | Donate through Recurring Gifts, Workplace Giving, and Matching Gifts |
|  | During Black History Month, there are many ways that you can support Emancipation Park Conservancy. We invite you to choose a simple and easy way that you can continue making an impact. Your support will benefit the community we serve through our education, health and wellness, and economic empowerment programs and events. You can not only click, text, call or mail in a donation, but can also participate through REC URRING GIFTS, WORKPLACE GIVING, MATCHING GIFTS, and VOLUNTEERING. Click one of the links or buttons below to make a contribution. |
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| | | | |  | The Emancipation Park Conservancy Bridging the Gap Financial Literacy Program delivered a variety of financial literacy services to its participants to empower families in the areas of financial literacy, financial planning, credit/debt management, disaster preparedness and homeownership. We would like to acknowledge and thank Veritex Community Bank for its financial support as the title sponsor of this program. Funding received from Veritex Community Bank allowed Emancipation Park Conservancy to not only provide workshops and programs focused on meeting the critical needs of the Third Ward community and beyond, but also helped to bridge the economic challenges that members of this community face as they seek to achieve financial security and success. To become a corporate partner or to learn more on how you can support Emancipation Park Conservancy, contact Patrina Johnson at (832) 883-5114 or development@epconservancy.org |
| | Shop and Support at AmazonSmile |
|  | Will you be our Valentine? As you shop for that special someone, shop at smile.amazon.com, select us, and AmazonSmile donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to Emancipation Park Conservancy at no cost to you. Your donation will help us continue providing free, engaging online programs and events that keep your family connected to Emancipation Park such as collaborative live webinars and performances, movie night, fitness and cooking videos, park updates and much more! |
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| Emancipation Park Conservancy
3018 Emancipation Avenue
Houston, Texas 77004
(713) 528-1872
info@epconservancy.org |
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