James Payne discussed his trajectory from living in a segregated town to becoming a lawyer and returning to a changed Beaumont. He spoke about his experiences with racism, discrimination, and the ways in which he overcame those obstacles.

Frank Partida was born in 1928 in Magnolia Park, an Mexican-American enclave in Houston, Texas. He talks about his experiences with stark segregation in Magnolia Park and the greater Houston area and how his grandfather, Elias Ramirez, was a founder of Sociedad Mutualista Benito Juarez and LULAC Council #60. Partida was involved in the Political Association of Spanish-Speaking Organizations, LULAC Council #60, and Viva Kennedy clubs. He talks about his political experiences and later work in local War on Poverty programs and union organizing. He also speaks about the first Spanish language radio station in Houston, KLVL, and how Mickey Leland and Barbara Jordan facilitated bridges between the Mexican-American and African- American communities.

Juan Parras was born in Big Spring in 1949. He moved to San Antonio to attend seminary and attended St. Mary's in 1968 before transferring to the University of Houston in 1971. He began working at the Harris County Welfare Department where he led a walkout. Mr. Parras discusses unionizing and his 15 year career working with the International Union and other unions. His latest activism revolves around environmental justice issues and is the founder of Tejas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services (TEJAS), an organization working in Houston since 2006.

Adela Vasquez was born (1949) and raised in Odessa, Texas. Her family was able to move to the Anglo area of West Odessa when she was a child. Vasquez attended the predominantly Anglo School, Zavala Elementary. She later went to Ector High School, where she graduated in 1967. Vasquez attended Odessa College, where she met her husband Gilbert Vasquez, and then attended Texas Tech University. Vasquez also obtained an MA degree in psychology at Texas Tech University. Vasquez held various leadership positions in Ector County ISD and Region 18.

Art Leal was born and raised in Odessa, Texas. Leal graduated from Odessa High School, after which he joined the U.S. Army and served in the first Gulf War. He graduated from Odessa College and the University of Texas at the Permian Basin. Leal ran for mayor of Odessa in 2008. Leal has been Ector County Democrat Precinct 406 Chair, is a member Mexican American Democrats Texas, has organized first Cesar Chavez Day March in Odessa, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Declamations in Odessa, Civic Participation Workshops in Odessa, of Election Debates/Forums in Ector County, multiple 1st Amendment Demonstrations in Odessa, is past Chairman Una Voz Unida of Odessa, is past Board Member Black Chamber of Commerce, is past Ambassador Odessa Chamber of Commerce, is past Board Member City of Odessa Planning Board of Adjustments, is past Chairman Odessa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and is past Co Chair March of Dimes. Finally Leal help start the Brown Berets Odessa (the city’s second Brown Beret group).

Unedited raw footage of the 2016 Budding Rose concert at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters.

Unedited raw footage of the 2016 Budding Rose concert at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters.

Opera performed at the UNT College of Music Lyric Theater.

Orchestra concert performed at the UNT College of Music Winspear Hall.

This is a short video recording of a conversation at Aquil Ahmad's paddy field back in 2016, where the researcher, along with the farm laborers, is transplanting rice saplings. Aquil Ahmad records the activity, and in the meanwhile, one of the workers notices him and tells him to look at what his grandson is doing. Aquil replied to let him do and learn! Then he asks her whether those yellow turned saplings would also take roots.

Jazz vocal concert performed at the UNT College of Music Voertman Hall.

African percussion ensemble concert performed at the UNT College of Music Voertman Hall.

Recounted role as a leader of the Letter Carrier's union.

This home movie documents the Denton County 170th Anniversary Celebration in Denton, Texas. The movie begins with footage of a historic fire truck and Laura Treat eating breakfast on the courthouse lawn. Event chairperson Georgiana McCoig, in period costume, welcomes attendees. Precinct 3 County Commissioner Bobbie J. Mitchell leads a prayer followed by speeches by County Judge Mary Horn and Mayor Chris Watts and Shaun Treat in the role of John B. Denton. Rose Taylor of Texas Woman's University (TWU) sings the spiritual "Steal Away." A historical marker is unveiled for Edna W. Trigg, Denton County school children sing "Happy Birthday" to Denton County, and McCoig, Mitchell, and Horn cut birthday cake on the courthouse lawn.

Roen Salinas is from Austin, Texas. He is one of the founding members of Ballet Folklorico Aztlan de Tejas, an internationally known dance troupe. In his interview, Salinas speaks about the role of the cultural arm of the Chicano movement.

Ms. Cortez was born and raised in El Paso, Texas in the Bel Air area. She was responsible for her siblings and her home from a very early age. Shortly after finishing her studies, she worked as a parole officer; after she became privy to several adverse working conditions, she increased her involvement in the local union. Ms. Cortez moved to Austin in the 1990s, and has worked for Travis County ever since.

Mr. Mendez was born and raised in the San Marcos area, where he attended the "Mexican school". He reminisced on the pervasive discrimination against Mexican Americans during his youth. His studies at Texas State were interrupted by the draft during the Korean War years. Mr. Mendez was a member of a political alliance between Mexican Americans, liberal Anglos and African Americans in San Marcos; this coalition, later called Hays County Independent Party, helped elect some of the first minority public officials in the city. Mr. Mendez was the first Mexican American trustee in the San Marcos school board; during his tenure, he pushed for the integration of the local schools. In the mid 1970s, a cross was burned in his front lawn; the act was attributed to the Ku Klux Klan. Mr. Mendez also reminisced on a major boycott of the San Marcos schools in 1972.

Recording of the December 2016 graduation ceremony, in the Winspear Performance Hall at the Murchison Performing Arts Center, for the UNT College of Music. It includes the processional, an introduction from Dr. John Richmond, a message from President Neal Smatresk, a keynote speech from guest speaker Dr. Tayloe Harding about expectations, hopes, and music careers, a performance by UNT's ensemble 'Harp Beats', the candidates for degrees in music walking the stage, and the closing of the ceremony accompanied by jazz music.

Humberto Barrera discussed growing up in Robstown and his career as a boxer, which took him to Rome in 1960, as a member of the U.S. Olympic Team.

Interview with Karen and Clark Klein. Karen attended Notre Dame Catholic School in Kerrville and graduated from Tivy High School before completed a course at Durham Business College. She worked at Wool and Mohair Warehouse in Ingram before marrying Clark in 1962. Clark also attended Notre Dame School and Tivy where the couple met. He served in the Army for three years, worked briefly the postal services, and enlisted again in the National Guard. He served until 1982 and achieved the rank of Command Sergeant Major. The couple had three children and lived in San Antonio, Austin for ten years, before moving back to Kerrville.

Video of practice footage from the Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL) Summer Youth Arts Institute on June 10, 2016.

Video of practice footage from the Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL) Summer Youth Arts Institute on June 14, 2016.

Video of practice footage from the Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL) Summer Youth Arts Institute on June 14, 2016.

Unedited raw footage of the 2016 Budding Rose concert at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters.