One Harris County

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One County – Many voices

ONE Harris County is a grassroots movement begun early in 2017 and made up of citizens coming together:

• To build trust between one another.

• To bridge the gaps that create racial & cultural barriers between us.

• To listen to one another’s voices.

• To learn about and accept our differences.

• To discover how we are the same.

• To build strong, productive countywide relationships.

• And thereby, to ensure progress for everyone!

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“The best parts of Southern Culture have risen when people have crossed the lines that have been put in place to keep them apart.” – Chuck Reese (“The Bitter Southerner”)

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Partners/Allies – Harris County Men’s Club; Christian Valley Baptist Church; St. Nicholas Episcopal Church; Waverly Hall Village Green Preservation Society.

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Projects

Nov. 2017 – Level One Racial Trustbuilding Training – Conducted by the Troup Racial Trustbuilding Team; 18 participants

 

2017 – 2019 – Good Things Happening in Harris County – Information series spreading the word about local programs building community and promoting progress for all citizens

 

Feb. 2018 – Mayor Jim Thornton’s Presentation to Harris Co. Leadership on Troup County’s experience with Racial Trustbuilding and reconciliation efforts.

 

March 2018 – Memorial, Grave Dedication, and Reconciliation Service for lynching victim Henry “Peg” Gilbert, in partnership with Gilbert descendents and Northeastern University Center for Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project.

 

May 2019 – Harris County Family Fun & Fellowship Day at HCCC- Organizer and Co-sponsor

 

Oct. 2019 – Sponsor of Annie Greene’s “The Color of Water” closing reception at the Lagrange Museum of Art as part of “400 Years – The Journey”.

 

Jan./Feb 2020 – 2nd Level One Racial Trustbuilding Training – in partnership with Troup Racial Trustbuilding; 20 participants

 

Continuing  – Annual MLK Day Parade and Celebration (Co-sponsor)

 

Activities of ONE Harris County were suspended in 2020 due to the pandemic. We encouraged people to take advantage of on-line social justice learning opportunities and panel discussions and have made links available both on the ONE Harris County Facebook page and via our e-mail distribution list for that purpose.

 

Post Pandemic Plan

• Proceed with Level One and Level Two Racial Trustbuilding Trainings with special focus on pulling in those in formal and informal leadership in the county. The next training is planned for fall of 2023.

• Continue participation and co-sponsorship of MLK Day and other countywide activities with partners and allies.

• Seek a new bi-racial leadership team.