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Photo courtesy of Mary Ann LawsonS2P4: In 1923, the city of Lubbock established an ordinance confining African Americans to an eastern area of the city. Out of that confinement grew a tight-knit community of educators, innovators and leaders. In this episode, we explore an area known as "the flats"—one of the first Black communities within Lubbock. We hear the stories of the leaders who came from "the flats." As current leadership pushes the community forward, they reflect on aspects of the past that helped East Lubbock flourish—that need restoration and preservation. -
S2P3: With little opportunity for African American pharmacists at the height of Jim Crowe, Alfred and Billie Caviel eventually found it in the flat, dusty town of Lubbock. In the 60s, when Lubbock was segregated, the Caviels opened a successful pharmacy that eventually became a celebration of Black history in the city. As one Lubbock local points out, it’s important to remember the roots of Black history exist in Lubbock’s own community and were planted by trailblazers like the Caviels.
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S2N3: Jafar Abdullah brought three books to read lakeside at his neighborhood park. The top about the history of Islam, the bottom about poverty. In the middle is “The New Jim Crow” by Michelle Alexander—a book that came highly recommended by one of Abdullah's mentors. The 2012 book equates the mass incarceration of Black Americans to a class system that can affect generations—an issue Abdullah thinks about often—especially when he’s working with kids through the mentorship program he started. -
S2N2: On a mild Monday evening, people cast their lines into the Historic Dunbar Lake, hoping a fish will bite. At the other end of the park system, families picnic and walk the trails along Conquistador Lake. This is how Mari Huerta thinks of the Canyon Lakes system—a tranquil slice of nature. She’s enjoyed the North Lubbock lakes since she was a kid. Huerta still enjoys the lakes. But she no longer dips her toes in.“You can’t even do that now,” she said. “The water is so slimy.” -
S2P1: In this community profile, three generations of East Lubbock residents unpack their family’s legacy in the Hub City. George Woods, established himself as a prominent, trusted businessman despite the barriers in place for Black men in the 30s, 40s and 50s. His descendants have all dedicated their lives to education—a passion they say started with him. In this episode, hear first-hand accounts of the Holmes family, whose roots span decades of Lubbock’s history. -
S2N1: Community advocate Natalie Miller has sounded the alarm for years now. She presented her position clearly at a recent Coffee with the Mayor event at the only grocery store in East Lubbock. This isn’t the first time Miller has talked with the mayor about the changes she wants to see in her neighborhood.
