In 1936, the Texas Centennial World’s Fair took place at Fair Park, which hosted a revolutionary, nationally-funded exhibition called The Hall of Negro Life. This exhibition was revolutionary in that it exhibited the achievements of Black artists in the early 1900s. The perseverance of African-American leaders in finding funding and support brought this exhibition into being.

Not only did the Hall serve to celebrate Black artists, North Texas civil rights leaders like A. Maceo Smith, Eugene K. Jones and Jesse O. Thomas would meet there to plan strategy in their fight for voting rights.

This exhibition hall acknowledged and honored the history and accomplishments of African-Americans in the United States with a large collection of art by Black artists, including murals that celebrated Black Culture.

Even with this success, the Hall of Negro Life was deconstructed one year after its opening.

Watch “Rise: The Hall of Negro Life” at 9:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 on KERATV 

The documentary is part of the Hall of Negro Life initiative from the City of Dallas’ Office of Arts & Culture / @dallasculture