San Antonio’s Carver Center and SAAACAM Preserve Black History Beyond Black History Month
San Antonio, Texas, is dedicated to preserving and celebrating Black heritage year-round, with institutions like the Carver Community Cultural Center and the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum (SAAACAM) leading the charge. These organizations emphasize that Black history is not confined to a single month but is integral to the city’s and nation’s identity.
The Carver Center: A Century of Culture
The Carver Community Cultural Center, located in the Dignowity Hills Historic District, has been a cornerstone of San Antonio’s Black community for over a century. Originally established in the 1920s as the “Colored branch of the San Antonio Library,” the building’s original name remains engraved above its doors, serving as a reminder of the segregation era [The Carver]. Senior Historic Preservation Specialist Dr. Charles Gentry highlights the center’s rich history, noting that it has hosted legendary performers such as Paul Robeson, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, and Louis Armstrong [The Carver].
Gentry emphasizes the importance of preserving this history, stating, “We don’t wish to forget that history. We don’t want to erase it. We want to preserve that history. And produce sure that the next generation knows where we came from.”
SAAACAM: Building a Legacy for the Future
In 2023, SAAACAM purchased the historic Kress building, a significant step in preserving Black history in San Antonio. Jeff May Jr., the chief administrative officer at SAAACAM, explained the importance of acquiring a building that once excluded African Americans. The Kress Department Store was among the first to desegregate its lunch counter in the 1960s, and community elders recall a time when they were not welcome in that space [The Carver].
SAAACAM plans to transform the Kress building into the largest African American history museum in Texas and the third largest in the country, with a planned opening in 2028. The museum will include a research library, auditorium, hotel, and a 30,000-square-foot exhibit space, focusing on the history of Texas and the Southwest region [The Carver].
May underscored the organization’s independence, stating, “We are not state or federally funded,” allowing SAAACAM to advise a story “free from interference” and honor its ancestors and legacy. The project currently requires $20 million in fundraising to complete its ambitious vision.
Black History as American History
Both Gentry and May emphasize the broader significance of Black history. Gentry asserts, “Black history is American history,” while May highlights the importance of telling the “whole story” to understand the full scope of American history. As Gentry notes, understanding one’s history is crucial to understanding one’s identity and future: “If we don’t know where we came from, then we don’t know who we are, and we don’t know where we’re going.”
Youth Engagement Through the Carver Center
The Carver Community Cultural Center’s Youth Matinee Series has engaged students, teachers, and families for over fifty years with free access to live performances. Recent performances have included screenings of “Mighty Times: The Children’s March” and “Afro Algorithms” [Carver Youth Matinee Series], [Carver Youth Matinee Series]. The series aims to ignite imaginations, foster knowledge, and introduce audiences to diverse cultures. Reservations are required for all performances, which initiate at 11:00 am and last approximately one hour.