Come Learn About the Threats Facing Black Burial Grounds, Their Historical Significance and Ties to Freedom Communities, as well as the Stories the Burial Sites Tell.

As part of the CCDC’s Clarksville Conversations: Sundays at the Haskell House speaker series, Stephanie L. Lang and Sue Spears will present Sacred Ground Under Threat: Protecting and Preserving Black Burial Grounds. Their talk will take place on April 12 starting at 2

Drawing on their research, advocacy, and community work, Lang and Spears will discuss the urgent need to protect, preserve, and honor Black burial grounds across the nation. Focusing specifically on the threats facing Austin’s Black burial sites, they will highlight current preservation efforts, community‑led initiatives, and the challenges that arise when sacred spaces intersect with modern land use, policy gaps, and rapid urban growth.

Among other things attendees will learn about the specific threats facing black burial grounds, the historical significance and ties to freedom communities of these places, and the stories the burial sites tell.

Stephanie is a writer, organizer and community curator who uses the power of storytelling to explore concepts of home and resistance as a practice for social justice. Sue Spears-Martin is President of the Bethany Cemetery Association and a longtime East Austin community advocate.

The discussion will be facilitated by Funmi Ogunro with RISE Austin.