Girl Scouts Black History Month Activities PDF

Girl Scouts Black History Month Fun Patch Activities Earn the Girl Scout Black History Month Fun Patch! Earn the GSUSA Black History Fun Patch by learning about the...

Girl Scouts Black History Month Fun Patch Activities Earn the Girl Scout Black History Month Fun Patch! Earn the GSUSA Black History Fun Patch by learning about the contributions of Black and African Americans in our own council! Click the link above to see the full patch requirements, then check out these local resources! Freedmen’s Town Following Texas slaves’ official emancipation in 1865, many migrated to Houston with their newfound freedom — establishing a hub for their community just southwest of Downtown. This slice of the city eventually became known as Freedmen’s Town, gradually developing into an African American cultural center — which housed one-third of Houston’s 36,000 Black residents by 1930 — and has officially been declared a Nationally Registered Historic Landmark. A drive or stroll through the storied Fourth Ward cove reveals iconic glimpses of the past like Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, the first African American Baptist Church in Houston, founded in 1866 by nine formerly enslaved men and women just seven months after Juneteenth (the first photo on this page); Bethel Park, a unique green space fashioned from the remnants of the famed Reverend Jack Yates’ Bethel Missionary Baptist Church (photo above); and the Rutherford B.H. Yates Museum, which is responsible for the preservation of Freedmen’s Town’s most historic homes and community institutions. Emancipation Park Nestled in the heart of Houston’s historically African American neighborhood, Third Ward, Emancipation Park’s roots and land date back to 1872 — when a group of former slaves united to raise $1,000 for the purchase of the 10-acre parcel to be used to host Juneteenth celebrations. After years of preservation and revitalization efforts — a feat that culminated with the park’s current design by internationally lauded African American architect Phil Freelon, who made headlines for his work on the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C. — Emancipation Park has become a premier greenspace rooted in history. Take advantage of everything from EP’s cultural and recreation centers to its various green areas and walking trails. Project Row Houses Project Row Houses is a highly acclaimed art and cultural community center consisting of 22 renovated shotgun-style homes. Volunteers have renovated the site of 2500 Holman and the twenty-two shotgun houses that sit upon it. Ten of the twenty-two row houses are dedicated to art, photography and literary projects, which are installed on a rotating six-month basis. When a group of artists is commissioned, each is given a house to transform in ways that speak to the history and cultural issues relevant to the African-American community. Project Row Houses has also preserved the Eldorado Ballroom, a community entertainment venue for black social clubs and other groups in Houston’s historic Third Ward neighborhood. Until it’s ultimate closure in the 1970s, Eldorado hosted countless blues and jazz performances, weekly talent shows, and sock-hops. It has drawn in some of the nation's biggest blues, jazz and R&B musicians, including B.B. King, Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown and Ray Charles. Houston-born musicians such as Sam “Lightening” Hopkins and Johnny “Guitar” Watson honed their skills at the Eldorado and eventually graduated to bigger fame. Buffalo Soldiers National Museum The African American military experience is on full display at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. Dedicated to exploring the stories and contributions of African Americans in the military by way of performing and visual arts, educational programming, and exhibitions, the museum highlights the tradition of valor while paying homage to the first Black professional soldiers in a peacetime army — the original Buffalo Soldiers. Houston Museum of African American Culture (HMAAC) Explore the progression of African American customs and culture through everything from art and lectures to community forums and films. Admission is free. Galveston Freedom Walk Galveston, Texas is the birthplace of Juneteenth, and Galveston Island holds a special place in the United States and African American history. But the richness of this history goes well beyond celebrating Emancipation. From being home to the first historically African American secondary school and public library in Texas to being the hometown of World Heavyweight Champ Jack Johnson, Galveston has long fought to preserve the knowledge of African American accomplishments and heritage on the island, holding dear the many historic sites and monuments that live on to tell the story. The Freedom Walk is just a taste of all Galveston has to offer. Take a look at the GSSJC Discover Galveston patch for a full list of options to learn about Black History in Galveston! Livingston Diversity Council The Livingston Diversity Council offers events and sponsors exhibits in partnership with other local community groups. Check out their offerings! The Wynne Home Arts & Visitor Center The Wynne Home in Huntsville, TX houses the Walker County African American Heritage Collection. Admission is free to the public during operating hours. Admire the Charlton-Pollard Mural in Beaumont View the mural on one wall of the MLK Parkway underpass on Irving Street. This location marks the entry to the Charlton-Pollard neighborhood in downtown Beaumont's south end. The mural honors T.T. Pollard and T.J Charlton, Sr. who were educators in the first Black high schools in Beaumont. The mural was created by Satoshi Fujita, aka Dragon76, who is a well- known muralist from New York City. The artist used the history of these men, their contributions, and the community to inspire his work. Patillo’s BBQ in Beaumont Opened way back in 1912, Patillo’s is the oldest black-owned and family- owned restaurant in Texas. Patillo’s offer some of the most unique Southeast Texas style BBQ including their signature hand stuffed links. Stop by for ribs, dirty rice, beans, and potato salad. Nacogdoches Black History and Culture Expo Enjoy the annual Black History and Culture Expo in Nacogdoches! Admission is free, and includes activities, lunch, learning rooms for different age groups, speakers, a talent show, middle school essay winners, and organization tables. Activities are offered for youth ages 5-18. This event is organized by the Nacogdoches Community Coalition. Public Libraries & Texas State Parks Need more resources? Check out your local public library and/or local Texas state park. Most celebrate Black History Month during February with author talks, lectures, arts and crafts, story times, events, and more!