Dallas, TX
A trip through time to the Dallas communities created by newly freed men
DALLAS — Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day when more than 250,000 enslaved people in Texas were told they were free.
It came two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. To mark the day, one organization is highlighting the untold stories of the communities the newly emancipated created in Dallas.
Less than three miles from Downtown Dallas sits one of one of the most preserved Freedmen’s towns in the country.
“It’s kind of been dismissed, many do know but many have dismissed and just covered over it,” said Dr. Deborah Hopes, the president of Remembering Black Dallas.
The Tenth Street historic district of Dallas is one of 12 Freedman communities founded in Dallas County following the Civil War. Dr. Sharron Wilkins Conrad is a historian and volunteer for the organization Remembering Black Dallas.
“We are at the corner of 9th Street and Cliff in the Tenth Street neighborhood of Dallas. This is the Greater El Bethel Baptist Church and this was one of the pivotal and important places in the Tenth Street neighborhood,” said Conrad.
Land ownership and community were vital for the once enslaved and newly freed.
“The folks were kind of able to create a space and a place where they felt safe where they can educate their children, where they can get away from some of the ravages, the economic ravages of sharecropping and just kind of grow and thrive,” said Conrad.
Remembering Black Dallas was awarded a grant by the Library Of Congress to help document the stories of 10th Street. Dr. Deborah Hopes, the organization’s president, sees Juneteenth as a moment to reflect and remember that history.
“I get kind of emotional because when you think about it, they got it late, but they still got it and not only did they get it, but they honored it and celebrated it and because they celebrate, I celebrate,” said Hopes.
To celebrate the resilience of these communities they created the Ukunika Bus and Walking Tours named after the Zulu word meaning ‘to empower” or “give back.”
The tours are supported by a City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture Dallas ArtsActivate grant.
“It’s exciting to share these stories with the community because, again, it’s our history and in order to understand the way that Dallas looks and the way that Dallas feels today, it’s just vital that we hear from these voices that have kind of been overlooked for so long,” said Conrad.
Tenth Street was just one of the stops on their sold-out Juneteenth bus tour last weekend.
But another Freedmen community in Dallas was also along the route.
“I was born and raised in Joppy, lived here most of my life,” said Kimberly High, the executive director of Joppy Momma’s Farm. “My parents grew up here as well, as a matter of fact, the property that we’re standing on is my great-grandmother’s who was one of the first settlers here in Joppy from slavery.”
The community known as Joppa or Joppy was founded by the Freedmen. High runs Joppy Momma’s farm on the land where her ancestors settled.
“We always felt like we were behind and forgotten so to see people come into our community and want to know more about our history. It’s exciting to me,” said High.
By educating neighbors about this land and the importance of healthy eating she’s helping keep the story of Joppy alive.
“We ate off of this property, my grandmother. I used to stand in the door as a kid and watch her go out and harvest our food,” said High. “So it’s just a good feeling to know that I can come back home and do the things that she was doing and I know that she’s smiling on me.”
But she’s also making sure the seeds Freedmen communities planted all those years ago are still flourishing today.
For more information about Remembering Black Dallas’ upcoming Ukunika Bus Tours, click here.
1. Dorance Armstrong Jr., EDGE, Commanders
This one makes too much sense to me to not talk about.
Dorance Armstrong is a player the Commanders could cut ties with to save some cap space. For Dallas, this would not be some mystery evaluation because the Cowboys know exactly who Armstrong is.
They drafted him, and watched him grow into a dependable pass rusher.
I’m not saying Dorance Armstrong is some game-wrecking superstar, but he’s an edge defender who can give good snaps, set the edge, chase quarterbacks, and fit into a rotation without needing the whole defense built around him.
The NFC East part gives it extra spice, too. Bringing back a former Cowboy from Washington would get some attention, but the football part is what sells it. Dallas needs waves of pressure and Armstrong brings another wave.
2. Uchenna Nwosu, EDGE/LB, Seahawks
Uchenna Nwosu is the kind of name that doesn’t scream headline, but fits the job description.
Seattle’s roster lists Nwosu as a linebacker, and shows him at 6’2, 265 pounds with nine years of experience. He is credited with seven sacks during the Seahawks’ 2025 season.
That’s the kind of veteran pass rusher I would love to see Dallas pick up if the money doesn’t get weird.
Nwosu isn’t a luxury piece, but he is insurance. He’s the type of player I feel would keep the Cowboys from putting too much stress on the same pass rushers every week.
You can never have enough guys who can heat up the pocket, especially in a conference where every playoff road seems to run through quarterbacks who can make you pay if they get comfortable.
More than 100 people gathered Friday night at a high school near the sealed‑off blast zone to honor the victims of the deadly explosion at The Clyde apartments in Oak Cliff.
The vigil – filled with hymns, prayers, and candles – brought together neighbors, local leaders, and pastors, many of whom were personally connected to those who died.
Just down the street, the debris field marks where three people were killed and five others injured when an explosion and fire tore through the complex earlier in the day.
Remembering Sylvia Collins
Among those honored was Sylvia Collins, a Democratic Party precinct chair known for her energy, advocacy, and signature raised‑fist rally pose.
State Rep. Cassandra Garcia‑Hernandez reflected on the loss, saying she couldn’t imagine taking another “fist‑up photo” with Collins.
State Sen. Royce West urged the community to remember Collins by continuing the work she championed.
Authorities have not yet released the names of the other two victims, believed to be a young woman and her toddler.
Search and Recovery Complete, Cause Still Unknown
Dallas Fire‑Rescue Chief Justin Ball confirmed that the search and recovery phase is complete, though he declined to comment on whether construction crews digging near the property may have struck a natural gas line before the blast.
Ball also defended the actions of firefighters who were on scene for up to 10 minutes before the explosion without ordering evacuations. He said crews first had to locate the source of the gas odor, secure a water supply, and gear up before they could begin clearing the building.
Lawsuit Filed Against Atmos Energy
One survivor has already filed a lawsuit against Atmos Energy, accusing the utility of failing to properly monitor for gas leaks. Attorney Sadi Antonmattei‑Goitia said incidents like this “don’t happen without bad decisions being made.”
Atmos did not respond to questions about the lawsuit but issued a statement saying the company’s “hearts go out to the people who were tragically lost, their families, and everyone who has been impacted.”
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