There are many notable black historical figures from Texas. Each of them made significant contributions to the black history of not just Texas, but the nation as a whole. Black Texans have made important contributions in politics, military events, music, and sports. The theories of those Texans continue to be discussed in history classes and in homes across the country.
After surviving the Galveston storm of 1900, Arthur ‘Jack’ Johnson made a name for himself in the boxing world. At the time, boxing for money was considered a criminal activity, although it was popular. In Texas, heavyweight boxing matches were illegal. Some of the governors of that period sent the Texas Rangers to close out the boxing matches.
Johnson became known as “Papa Jack” or the “Galveston Giant”, Johnson won the heavyweight boxing title in 1908, a time fraught with racial tensions. He defeated Tommy Burns for the title in Sydney, Australia. Since many whites did not like him winning the title, a follow-up match was arranged with James Jeffries, who was taken out of retirement for the special fight. Jeffries was known as “The Great White Hope” in pre-fight advertising. When Johnson defeated Jeffries, race riots broke out in many cities as a result. The state of Texas went so far as to pass laws that prohibit the showing of films in Texas that document what happened based on the fear that it would incite to race riots. Johnson later claimed more fame as an inventor for inventing a new type of wrench.
Another innovative Texan was Bessie Coleman. When she was young, Bessie was fascinated with airplanes and flying. After World War I, Bessie traveled to France to obtain a pilot’s license, as women were not allowed to obtain a pilot’s license at that time. She led the way by being one of the first female aviators in addition to being the first black aviator. After obtaining her license, she traveled across the country teaching other black women to fly at her exhibitions.
Texan Scott Joplin also set new frontiers in music. Joplin grew up in Texarkana, Texas, where a teacher saw his potential musical talent and worked to develop it. Joplin went on to develop a musical style known as ragtime. Joplin referred to himself as the “King of Ragtime”. His music gained popularity through the ‘piano rolls’. The rolls allowed the playing pianos to reproduce the sounds. Joplin’s distinctive sounds became pivotal in the later development of a musical genre known as “jazz.” He also produced a great opera, entitled Treemonisha, which received a Pulitzer Prize after his death.
When the world went to war, one of those who served was Doris Miller. This young man from Texas served as a dining room attendant on the battleship USS West Virginia, stationed at Pearl Harbor. When the Japanese attacked US naval forces on December 7, 1941, Miller took action. When a nearby machine gun team could no longer operate its weapon, it stepped forward and proceeded to take position and continue to use the weapon. The surprising thing was that he had not received any training on the use of the weapon. Miller received a Navy Cross for his courageous actions at Pearl Harbor. Doris Miller was later killed in action when the ship she was serving on sank.
The first achievements recorded by a Negro in Texas were by Estavanico. Estavanico was a slave who survived the shipwreck of the Narvarez expedition. He explored Texas with Cabeza de Vaca. Accounts of their journey and encounters with local indigenous tribes inspired other conquerors to explore the Southwest. Their stories included episodes of early surgeries, tribal practices, and rumors of cities of gold. The Indians liked Estavanico and his presence was often seen as a favorable omen that allowed the Spanish to continue without being attacked. Normally, the Indians attacked the Spanish without hesitation. Estavanico’s presence allowed Cabeza de Vaca to survive many of those early encounters. Estavanico later returned to Texas to lead a second expedition, known as the Nice expedition.
A modern pioneer for black women in Texas was Barbara Jordan. When she was a young student at Harvard, Barbara Jordan was heavily involved in politics. She gained notoriety as a debating champion and worked for the Kennedy campaign while living in the Boston area, where she attended school. This Texas woman made significant progress by winning the Texas Senate election. She was the first black state senator elected to Texas in 1966. After distinguished herself in the Senate, she was elected to serve as the United States Representative. While serving in the House of Representatives, she played a prominent role in the Watergate hearing and was known to refer to the Constitution / Bill of Rights that she carried along with her excellent speaking skills. After retiring from politics, she served as a professor at the University of Texas at Austin.
One man whose life was surrounded by rumors and controversy was Colonel James Kemp Holland. James was half black and half white. James Holland became the highest ranking black service in the Confederate Army. He also served as an aide to Governor Pendlenton Murrah of Texas during the war. Obtaining such a position was a notable achievement for his time as the first black to serve in the administration of a Texas governor. Since one of her parents was white, her race is often hotly debated both then and now. His achievement in achieving officer status at a time when the United States Army remained segregated is notable.
Another of the first black military heroes in Texas was Hendrick Arnold. Hendrick was a free black man who led one of three armed Texan forces when they attacked San Antonio in the early days of the Texas War of Independence. The force managed to capture the city and the Alamo. Hendrick was a key figure in what became known as the Battle of Béjar, helping Texas win its freedom.
A modern freedom fighter was James Farmer. Throughout his life, James Farmer worked to desegregate. His efforts led him to adopt positions that advocated nonviolent resistance, including refusing to serve in segregated military units during World War II. Taking the position of refusing to serve was controversial at the time. Later, he served as director of the organization he founded known as Congress for Racial Equality (CORE). He led several boycotts in the state of Texas, including one at Prairie View A&M in his efforts to end racial segregation. For his efforts, he was later awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
James Farmer also appeared in the recent move, “The Great Debaters,” produced by Oprah and directed by Denzel Washington. Although the film portrays some historical incidents in Farmer’s life, it is still very fictional. Wiley College’s true 1935 debate team traveled west, not north, where they faced off against the University of Southern California debate team. They never discussed Harvard as described in the movie. The team encountered a lynching shortly after it occurred, which was traumatizing.
There were many other notable blacks from Texas. Among them were Congressman Mickey Leland, Buffalo Soldiers of the 41st and 24th Infantry along with the 9th Cavalry stationed in Texas. Buffalo soldiers also charged San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War. It was Sergeant in black, George Barry, of the 10th Cavalry, who planted the American flag on St. John’s Hill. The National Buffalo Soldier Museum is located in Houston, Texas. Contains historical artifacts and memorabilia of these brave soldiers.
There were also some notable black ranchers in Texas, like Bill Pickett. These men established their own ranches instead of working for others. His early efforts earned the respect of other ranchers and ranchers in the area during a time when the cattle business was difficult.
There were also many notable musicians from Texas. Leadbelly, Barry White, Lightnin Hopkins, and Sly Stone were all from Texas. Sam Lightnin ‘Hopkins eventually performed for the Queen of England and at Carnegie Hall. Each of these men earned a place in the hall of fame for their diverse styles of music.
There were also notable black achievements in the field of education. Lawrence Williams he has been a role model in establishing himself as a world-class mathematician from Texas. Former slave Matthew Gaines eventually became a state senator and was instrumental in pioneering free public education in Texas and founding the first Texas University, Texas A&M. William Goyens was a free Negro in the early Republic of Texas who was known for his business sense and creativity. He established his own business and was widely read. Many of the early leaders of the Republic often consulted with William Goyens, as they valued his advice and experience.
