Crucial City Council Vote Tomorrow, Sept 2---Need more signatures and more letters, call!

Media Release:
Austin City Council set to adopt African American Cultural Heritage District Investment Initiative,  establish East 11th Street anchor cultural center at Sept 2 meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
After years of work and community collaboration, Austin City Council is set to vote on September 2nd to adopt the African American Cultural Heritage District Resolution.The African American Cultural Heritage District focuses on the East 11th and 12th Street commercial corridors and entertainment district, which historically was the center for African American life in East Austin. 

The AACHD Resolution recommends a cultural center for live performances, affordable living and creative spaces for artists. Additionally, the Resolution recommends acknowledging the African American Cultural Heritage District as a significant cultural destination by adding it to official city maps, implementing a place-making program, and developing way-finding strategies to steer residents and tourists to the District. 

Support for professionals in the creative industries and economic development goals will be addressed by crafting incentive programs and establishing funding mechanisms to support and invest in the District long term. Mayor Pro Tem Natasha Harper Madison, Mayor Steve Adler, Council Member Vanessa Fuentess, Council Member Kathy Tovo, and Council Member Ann Kitchen are jointly sponsoring the Resolution.

            “What does the city of Austin want to see itself as? Having the nation’s fastest declining Black population is not one of the characteristics that we want to see describe our city. If we don’t address some of the disparities as a community, then we’ll never get there,” shared Council Member Natasha Harper Madison, sponsor of theACHD Resolution.

            “As of today, it appears that we have the votes for our resolution to pass at Council. It's likely already on the consent agenda. I am so proud of this moment, the hard work our Coalition has put in over the past 18 months, and the dedication of Mayor Pro Tem Harper-Madison and her staff in guiding us all the way to a positive vote at Council. I am proud of my City right now. This is a generational opportunity for the City of Austin to do the RIGHT thing in East Austin. This Resolution represents the culmination of 20 years worth of community work to honor the 200 years of contributions by African Americans to East Austin—and to Austin as a whole—in building this City, establishing viable communities and institutions, and doing all they could do to celebrate, practice, and preserve our arts and culture, neighborhoods, and historic cultural identity tied to this specific District, ” states Harold McMillan, author of original resolution draft and East Austin Creative Coalition founder. “This is the start of reestablishing a visible presence, and an acknowledgment of, African American art and culture in Central East Austin.”

The official posting for agenda item #48, including the Resolution Draft, is linked below:

• The Council agenda may be accessed at:
https://austintexas.gov/department/city-council/2021/20210902-reg.htm#048

Item 48
Approve a resolution directing the City Manager to determine strategies necessary to implement various supportive and place-making actions for the African American Cultural District; explore ways of using the Live Music Fund to support the long-term sustainability of African American culture-based music industry projects located or produced within the District; and develop a plan to solicit proposals for the development of the 1100 Block of E.11th Street.
Sponsors: Mayor Pro Tem Natasha Harper-Madison, Mayor Steve Adler, Council Member Vanessa Fuentes, Council Member Kathie Tovo, Council Member Ann Kitchen.
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Attachments:
*Bullet Points from Resolution for AACH District

 
East Austin Creative Coalition is...Capitol View Arts • Women in Jazz • DiverseArts Culture Works • Rogers-Washington-Holy Cross Preservation District • E4 Youth • Dance Africa • Black Austin Musicians • Kenny Dorham’s Backyard • EACC Advisors and Consultants

E-Mail: EATX.CreativeCoalition@gmail.com

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