On June 28th, 2024, Engage Dallas hosted a bus tour to celebrate the end of the spring book club featuring Paved A Way by Collin Yarbrough. The tour highlighted historically significant sites around Dallas, many which are discussed in the book. This tour allowed participants to gain a deeper understanding of how the histories of environmental and infrastructural racism have profoundly impacted the city of Dallas, particularly Black and Latinx communities.
Community leaders, faculty, and staff gathered for a comprehensive journey through significant historical sites in South and West Dallas. One notable stop was Freedman’s Cemetery, located off the Central Expressway. Established in 1861, this cemetery is a crucial historical site for understanding Dallas’s early African American community and is among the largest of its kind in the country.
Another highlight was stopping by the town of Joppa, founded in 1872. This community, one of the last remaining Freedman towns in Texas, has faced severe marginalization over the years, yet remains a poignant reminder of resilience and perseverance.
Throughout the tour, guests gained profound insights into the struggles and triumphs of Dallas’s African American population, deepening their understanding of the city’s complex racial history and the ongoing efforts to achieve justice and equality.
At the conclusion of the tour, community partners, faculty, and staff, gathered for a reflection session over lunch. This culminating event gave participants an opportunity to share their insights and discuss the profound impact of understanding environmental racism within their local community. The conversation emphasized the significance of recognizing how historical and present-day environmental racism affects organizations and society. Participants deliberated on actionable steps to foster unity and drive positive change, reinforcing the commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable future for all.