06.19.2024

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“Spread the love”

5 questions with Opal Lee, ‘Grandmother of Juneteenth’

City Editor Kate and Dr. Opal Lee chatted on the front porch of her new home. | Photo by FTWtoday

“Eighty-five years ago, a family lived here.” That was the refrain Judge Renée Toliver repeated in her speech during Dr. Opal Lee’s Welcome Home Celebration last week.

Toliver, Lee’s granddaughter, gathered with family, city leaders, and community members to dedicate the new home of “The Grandmother of Juneteenth.”

Toliver shared the story of 940 E. Annie St., where her great grandparents purchased a home in June 1939. Four days later on June 19, a mob of 500 racist rioters arrived to run the family — including 12-year-old Opal — out of the then-white Historic Southside neighborhood and burned the home.

Lee has since dedicated her life to fighting for racial justice and equity, advocating for the federal recognition of Juneteenth, the date that marked freedom for the last enslaved people in the country — two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

In 2021, Lee stood by president Joe Biden as he signed the holiday into law + she continues to raise awareness about Juneteenth and the National Juneteenth Museum.

FTW-opal-lee-home — Following the dedication of Annie Street house, Trinity Habitat announced the construction of 100 new homes in Lee’s honor.
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Photo by FTWtoday

At the dedication ceremony, 97-year-old Lee rested in a rocking chair on her new front porch, clutching the toothbrush she brought to christen the home.

The three-bedroom, 1,700-sqft home was built for her by Trinity Habitat, Texas Capital Bank, and HistoryMaker Homes on the same property her family was driven from 85 years ago.

Renderings of the National Juneteenth Museum — The first 10% of the money raised for the new homes will go to the National Juneteenth Museum.
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Renderings courtesy of BIG, KAI, and NJM

We sat down with Lee to reflect on her new home and hopes for the future of Fort Worth.

In terms of civil rights, what are your hopes for the next 10 years in Fort Worth?

That there’s no division — that we make this a city like upstate where they have a city called Brotherly Love. I’d like ours to be a city of brotherly love and sisterly love. I’d like us to be one big, happy family.

It’s going to get that way — in fact, it’s arriving right now. So much has changed, and I’m glad.

4 more questions with Lee

Asked

How do you “spread the love” every day?

When we spoke with Lee, she asked our readers “to spread the love.” Hit the button below to see the video of her ask.

“There are so many ways that you can,” she said. “Help an old lady across the street, smile at somebody, watch the kids while their mother goes to the laundromat, read a book to a child. It doesn’t have to be gigantic, but we’re all worthy people.”

Now it's your turn

Events

Wednesday, June 19

Opal’s Walk for Freedom | Wednesday, June 19 | 9 a.m. | African American Museum Dallas, 3536 Grand Ave., Dallas | $25-$35 | Join the “Grandmother of Juneteenth” in her annual 2.5-mile walk celebrating freedom for all.
Freedom Day | Wednesday, June 19 | 5-7 p.m. | Amon Carter Jr. Dowtown YMCA, 512 Lamar St., Fort Worth | Free | Commemorate Juneteenth with food, Black-owned vendors, family activities, and more.
Juneteenth Open Mic | Wednesday, June 19 | 7-10 p.m. | Virtual | $15 | Join the collective Zoom performance to hear music and poetry from Black artists.

Thursday, June 20

The Fine Art of Italian Cooking | Thursday, June 20 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Central Market Fort Worth, 4651 W. Fwy., Fort Worth | $90 | Sit back and relax in this cooking demonstration featuring traditional Florentine recipes like panzanella, Tuscan pasta, and handmade crepes.
“Chicken & Biscuits” | Thursday, June 20-Sunday, June 23 | Times vary | Theatre Arlington, 305 W. Main St., Arlington | $5-$35 | Laugh out loud in this play about a family secret directed by Sheran Goodspeed Keyton.

Friday, June 21

Strawberry Full Moon Paddle | Friday, June 21 | 7:15-10 p.m. | TC Paddlesports at Panther Island, 480 N. Taylor St., Fort Worth | $0-$40 | See the pink-hued full moon from the waters of the Trinity River.
Midland | Friday, June 21-Saturday, June 22 | 10 p.m. | Billy Bob’s Texas, 2520 Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth | $93 | The country band from Austin will perform hits like “Drinkin’ Problem” and “Electric Rodeo” at the world’s largest honky-tonk.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Travel

How to spend a weekend in charming Boerne, TX

Visit Boerne to experience unique shopping, events, Hill Country scenery, and more. | Photos courtesy of Visit Boerne; GIF by ATXtoday

Just ~ four hours from Fort Worth is Boerne, TX — a historic city steeped with Hill Country charm and plenty to do. Save these pro tips to plan your (well-deserved) vacation:

What to do

Explore the Cave Without a Name | It’s always a good time to go underground — this Natural National Landmark’s climate is in the 60s year-round.
Shop around the Hill Country Mile | Boerne’s historic Main Street wins awards for its 80+ shops, restaurants, breweries, and galleries.

Where to eat

The Dienger Trading Co. | Grab breakfast or lunch at this community bistro, bakery, espresso bar, and boutique.
Richter Tavern | This 1920s industrial-themed eatery features a seasonal menu and custom cocktails.

Where to stay

The Bevy | Bring the family to enjoy the resort pool, fire pits, and signature restaurant as this boutique hotel.
The Kendall | This elevated, historic stay — perfect for a romantic getaway — earned a 2023 Texas Travel Award for “Best Hotel, Small Market.”

More unique things to do in Boerne

News Notes

Coming Soon

Fred’s Texas Cafe is expanding outside of Fort Worth. The popular Cowtown burger joint is planning to open a new 4,800-sqft restaurant in Crowley at 100 S. Texas St. next spring. Until then, stop by the Camp Bowie West location for a topping-loaded burger, slab of chicken-fried steak, and ice cold beer. (CultureMap Fort Worth)

Trending

The TCU Horned Frogs are hopping into a new look for the 2024 season. The first full uniform redesign in five years includes three single-color uniforms in white, purple, and black with “Carter Boys” monogrammed on the back collar. The new chrome helmets feature a purple frog skin pattern.

Festival

You’re not going to want to miss out on the new attractions at the State Fair of Texas this fall. Catch the Billy Kidd Show with up-close magic and “Songblazers,” a new touring Cirque du Soleil show set to country music, starting Friday, Sept. 27.

Number

$21,926. That is the annual cost of raising a child in the DFW metroplex according to a new report from SmartAsset. The report calculated the cost of childcare and additional housing in the 50 largest US metros + found North Texas to be the No. 16 most affordable locale.

Stat

95% of pharmacy doctoral students from the UNT Health Science Center matched for pharmacy residency programs this year. In comparison, the national average is 81% and the school saw a 79% match rate in 2023. Congrats, white coats. (Fort Worth Report)

Sports

That’s a wrap, folks — the Dallas Mavericks fell to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals Game 5 on Monday night. Get a recap on the full season with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Number

5. That’s how many minutes it takes to gain a leg up on the corporate ladder. How? By reading 817 Biz, a free newsletter that features snippets of business news, the local economy + more in Tarrant County. Join 12,000+ local professionals, aspiring business leaders, and entrepreneurs by subscribing.*

Beauty

PROVEN Skincare analyzes 47 unique factors to create a personalized three-step regimen just for you. Take the quiz today. Bonus: get 50% off with code PROVENPARTNER.*

Arts

All aboard for history

A new art installation commemorates civil rights in the Historic Southside

FTW-east-rosedale-bus-art-installation-giphy

The silhouettes in the windows of the bus are neighborhood kids from the KEEN photography group, who collaborated on “The East Rosedale Monument Project.” | Photos courtesy of Christopher Blay

East Rosedale Avenue is now home to a new public art installation that commemorates the role of transit buses in the civil rights movement.

Houston-based artist (and former Fort Worthian) Christoper Blay transformed a vintage bus into an opportunity for residents to learn more about the stories of the Montgomery bus boycotts, Freedom riders, and local activists who fought for justice and equality in Fort Worth. The engraved plaques also delve into the busing of students from Mansfield High School to I.M. Terrell High School for integration.

Commissioned by Fort Worth Public Art, the 37-ft sculpture was installed earlier this week — with lighting and electrical components coming soon — directly across the street from the future site of the National Juneteenth Museum.

The art commission also plans to host a neighborhood poetry contest with the winning poem displayed on an electric screen within the sculpture.

The Buy

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Kate

From the editor

It was such an honor to meet Dr. Opal Lee. Speaking with her was definitely a highlight of my time at FTWtoday and my journalism career to date. Thanks so much to Trinity Habitat for including us in last week’s celebration.

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