Piedmont memorial project honors first Black homeowners

In California, the city of Piedmont is progressing on a memorial sculpture park that aims to honor the first Black family to own a home in the area, the Dearing family. The project has recently gained momentum, with Oakland artist and landscape architect Walter Hood set to finalize his design within the next 12 months. The city officially approved the memorial project in 2022 as part of an effort to address historical injustices and engage the community in confronting difficult aspects of its past. Hood's design will feature metaphorical portals and an oversized mailbox to tell the story of the Dearing family's experience, which had largely been forgotten until now. The inspiration behind the memorial stems from the city’s commitment to recognizing and confronting its history of racism. Rosanna Bayon-Moore, the City Administrator, emphasized the importance of engaging the community in conversations about painful chapters of their past. The perspective that suffering through ugly histories is crucial to honor those who endured it has become a significant point of discussion in Piedmont. Gary Theut, who currently lives in the Dearing House, expressed hope about the memorial, acknowledging that while the family's history is difficult, it is essential to recognize and remember it. In a separate yet related story, Juneteenth served as a significant point for Jacqueline Fort, a woman from North Texas, who discovered her descent from a freed slave named Mary Humphries. After learning of this connection, Fort took on the role of family historian, striving to reconnect with distant relatives and uncover more about her lineage. Last year, she and over 100 of her family members gathered for their first reunion in Arlington, Texas, celebrating their shared history and resilience. They emphasized the importance of preserving the legacy of their ancestors, many of whom faced immense challenges and contributed to their community’s foundation. Both projects reflect a growing awareness of the need to confront historical injustices, whether through memorials paying homage to the struggles of earlier generations or through personal journeys of tracing family history. As communities come together to share in these experiences, the narratives of often ignored histories are being revived, offering hope and healing for future generations. Celebrations like Juneteenth inspire a sense of pride in heritage, making a strong case for continuing to honor the past while looking forward into the future.