Austin’s African American Cultural Heritage District Strategic Plan

Mend Collaborative is leading the creation of a strategic plan for Austin’s African American Cultural Heritage District (AACHD). This historically rich district anchored in East Austin has long been a center of Black culture, entrepreneurship, and community. The planning process is grounded in community-led engagement and guided by a shared vision to support Black residents’ rights to remain, return, and thrive.

Through a combination of research, arts-integrated outreach, and coalition-building, the strategy focuses on four key priorities: housing stability and affordability, economic development and support for Black-owned businesses, cultural preservation and storytelling, and equitable infrastructure and environmental justice. A strong emphasis is placed on healing from past harms, addressing displacement, and building new pathways for collaboration and shared leadership.

Stakeholder interviews and workshops have emphasized the need for cultural continuity, youth opportunity, and institutional trust-building, framing the district not just as a historic area, but as a living, self-sustaining community. The plan will outline bold, actionable strategies that reflect community ownership, celebrate Black excellence, and ensure the district remains a beacon for future generations.