02.19.2024

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Today’s Forecast

⭐️ Honoring Huston-Tillotson University alumni

History of Austin’s first institution of higher learning: Huston-Tillotson University

Dr. Karl E. Downs (right) with Dr. Everett Givens (left) and Jackie Robinson (center), who was the athletic director of Samuel Huston College, which included coaching the basketball team for the 1944-45 season. | Photo via the Downs-Jones Library Archive and Special Collections

Did you know east Austin’s Huston-Tillotson University was established in 1875, making it the oldest institution of higher learning in the city?

To put that into perspective, that’s two years before St. Edward’s University + nearly a decade before The University of Texas at Austin was founded.

In celebration of almost 150 years of higher learning, we wanted to share some of the notable alumni Huston-Tillotson University has produced.

Azie Morton | The 36th Treasurer of the United States, Morton served during the Carter administration, and is the first and only Black person to have ever held the position. Morton also served on the Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity during the Kennedy administration, and the Austin Housing Authority Board of Commissioners from 1999 to 2001.

Jackie Robinson | The famous baseball player was head of the athletics department of Samuel Huston College from 1944-1945 before rising to prominence in his baseball career.

Dr. Herman Aladdin Barnett, lll | Barnett graduated from Samuel Huston College in 1948 + became a fighter pilot, surgeon, and anesthesiologist. In 1953, he became the first Black man to graduate from the University of Texas Medical School.

Norman Scales Sr. wearing a Tuskegee Airmen uniform. — Norman Scales Sr. was Austin’s first Black fighter pilot.
|
Photo via Austin Parks and Recreation

Norman Scales Sr. | Scales became a Tuskegee Airman during World War II and the first Black pilot commissioned as a second lieutenant from Austin. Scales Street in the Mueller neighborhood is named in his honor.

Lucille Elizabeth Bishop Smith | Smith was an entrepreneur, chef, and inventor who graduated from Samuel Huston College in ~1912. Lucille invented the first hot biscuit mix + is known as “the first Black businesswoman in Texas.” The restaurant Lucille’s in Houston honors her legacy.

Colette Pierce Burnette | The former president of Huston-Tillotson University was named Austinite of the Year by the Austin Chamber of Commerce in 2022. She was the first woman to be named president of the institution since the colleges merged in 1952.

History of the HBCU

Events

Monday, Feb. 19

Free Day | Monday, Feb. 19 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin | Free | Enjoy the gardens at no cost all day long.
Ali Wong | Monday, Feb. 19 | 7 p.m. | Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $50-$390 | The comedian, actress, and director returns to Austin just three months after performing a sold-out show in ATX last fall.

Tuesday, Feb. 20

National Love Your Pet Day! | Tuesday, Feb. 20 | 3-8 p.m. | MUTTS Canine Cantina Austin, 9825 N. Lake Creek Pkwy., Austin | Cost of admission | Show your pup some love and take a photo at the puppy kissing booth.
Gipsy Kings | Tuesday, Feb. 20 | 8 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin | $55-$190 | These Grammy Award-winning world musicians are bringing their Catalan tunes to ATX.

Wednesday, Feb. 21

Cirque du Soleil: “Crystal” | Wednesday, Feb. 21-Sunday, Feb. 25 | Times vary | H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, 2100 Ave. of the Stars, Cedar Park | $55-$155 | See magic unfold onstage in the form of aerial acrobatics and feats of strength and agility.
An Evening with Bill Nye | Wednesday, Feb. 21 | 7:30 p.m. | The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr., Austin | $49-$149 | The Emmy-winning “Science Guy” will discuss his decades of work to bring science education to his audiences.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Community

Two earthquakes in south Texas — measuring 4.7 and 4.4-magnitude, respectively — were felt as far north as Round Rock on Saturday morning. No damage was reported following the earthquakes, which were recorded near Falls City. (KVUE)

Active

Austinite Ben Duong became the fastest person ever to finish a half marathon while dribbling a basketball at the Austin Marathon over the weekend. The 24-year-old was recognized by Guinness World Records after finishing in one hour, 21 minutes, and 38 seconds. (KVUE)

Concert

The show will go on — Blues on the Green is no longer canceled after Austin City Council approved a resolution to co-sponsor the series in addition to receiving increased support from and H-E-B. ACL Radio said more info will be available soon.

Health

Researchers at UT Austin discovered a way to halt growth of acute myeloid leukemia without causing harm to healthy cells. The new study could inform future treatments to increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy used in cases of AML.

Ranked

Here’s a slice — four Austin pizza places ranked amount Yelp’s Top 100 Pizza Spots. Home Slice Pizza ranked No. 11, Little Deli & Pizzeria ranked No. 71, Pinthouse Pizza ranked No. 88, and Pieous ranked No. 92. Check out our pizza guide for more options.

Event

Mark your calendar for NASCAR race week — Friday, March 22-Sunday, March 24 — at Circuit of the Americas. Outside of cars zooming by, fans will be able to enjoy a DLW Timberworks Lumberjack Show, performances by Accidental Acrobats, 360-degree booths, balloon artists, and much more.

Shop

Round Rock residents, listen up. Austin Pets Alive! Thrift’s newest location opened in Round Rock over the weekend at 913 N. IH-35. This is the mini-chain’s fourth shop and 100% of the proceeds benefit the nonprofit.

Sports

You’ll want to catch up on your Spurs lore before the I-35 Series begins. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the San Antonio Spurs with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Try This

Want to advertise with us but not sure where to start? Check out our self-service advertising, a quick and easy way to get acquainted with our local audience through Listings, Banner Ads, and Articles. Get started today.

Arts

You’re invited to an intimate ZACH360 experience from Wednesday, Jan. 31 to Sunday, March 3. Two-time Tony® Award Winner “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812" is an innovative electro-pop opera based on a scandalous slice of Leo Tolstoy’s “War and Peace.” Grab tickets.*

Culture

Austin FC 🤝 Armadillo World Headquarters

Armadillo World Headquarters and Austin FC team up for cultural collaboration

Co-founder and owner of Armadillo World Headquarters Eddie Wilson said the collaboration helps “share the powerful culture that made Austin the special place.” | Photo by Jacob Gonzalez for Austin FC

The ‘Dillo will live on — famous, defunct music venue the Armadillo World Headquarters, that is — during the upcoming season of Austin FC.

The iconic music venue, which hosted legendary musicians from 1970 to 1981, will be revived this year in the form of live events, a documentary film, merchandise, and Austin FC’s newest jersey kit.

Kicking off the reincarnation, Austin FC’s newest jerseys were unveiled last week at ACL Live boasting the club’s original address (525 1/2 Barton Springs Rd.) on the tag.

That’s not all — a feature documentary comprised of 200+ videos from past performances at Armadillo World Headquarters is in the works. The release date has yet to be announced, but the partnership will also host some new live music events.

In the meantime, the cultural collaboration has one more thing to offer: a line of limited-edition merch, including vinyl recordings, which is soon to be announced.

Asked

Which now-closed Austin hangout do you miss most?

Get nostalgic

The Buy

The Buy 2.19.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

A stylish new collar or leash from Six & Main’s collection for your dog to sport during their favorite time of day (walk time).

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Figi

From the editor

Financial planning is important to me and the rest of my house, so lately I’ve been watching Financial Audit with Caleb Hammer on YouTube. The channel is Austin-based, but not for the faint of heart. Caleb is really tough on people about their money, but it’s a great way to learn about how to manage your own.

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