Black history in Brownwood: Continuing the legacy

BROWNWOOD, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Black history in Brownwood can be traced back to one block on Cordell Street. Landmarks like the Rufus F. Hardin School, the only all-Black school before integration, and the Bennie Houston Recreation Center, named after the first African-American city councilman, serve as a reminder of the haven community in the 1960s.

As February is recognized as Black History Month nationally, one nonprofit in Brownwood is ensuring the stories of those past and present do not fall through the cracks of generational changes.

Revitalizing Our Communities is taking the month to spotlight the stories known and untold in Brownwood. President Draco Miller said Black history is important to remember, just as any history.

“I want [residents] to feel at home in Brownwood, and continuing the legacy of African-American history and talking about the richness and the greatness of individuals makes it feel like home for all,” Miller said. “When you tell the story and the history of African-Americans, you’re talking about greatness. You’re talking about people that have come from nothing and built up to something just like any other history.”

One of the people highlighted is Charles Lowe, the first African-American school board member. He was born and raised in Brownwood during the Jim Crow era. He attended the all-Black school until 7th grade when integration happened.

After becoming the first in his family to graduate college and being a leader throughout his life, Lowe told KTAB/KRBC that being ‘the first’ comes with its challenges.

“Going into the school board on it was the same situation [as the 1960s]… The derogatory letters that I got, trying to discourage me, all the hate and mail that I would receive about me running for the school board,” Lowe said. “I got on the school board, and one of the things I had to do was to represent all students, not Black students, but all students.”

With history comes both good and bad. Miller stated that as they highlight stories throughout the month, it will encompass not only the perspective of slavery but also celebrate joy.

“People do think, ‘oh, 400 years ago, we’re going to start talking about slavery,’ we’re going to talk about those things, but there are business owners in the community for the first time that are African-Americans, that are doing amazing things,” Miller said. “Our theme this year is unity and strength. We are one. I want the African-American community in Brownwood to be vibrant, to be together, to be strong, to be everything that it wants to be.”

The Bennie Houston Center is set to undergo renovation soon. The Rufus F. Hardin School is in the works to become a community center and piler of Black history in the community.