Austin's History Belongs to Everyone Who Shaped It
A community-powered archive of environmental justice, memory, and place — built one story at a time at Huston-Tillotson University.
Building a living archive of environmental justice in Austin
This project collects and shares community stories that reflect the history of environmental justice in Austin, with a focus on East Austin and the legacy of Huston-Tillotson University. It is designed for residents, students, elders, organizers, and anyone whose lived experience connects to land, environment, and community change. Through written and recorded submissions, we center community voice as a form of historical record. By bringing these stories together, we create a shared timeline that honors the past, informs the present, and shapes a more just future.
Untold stories deserve space
Many environmental justice experiences have never been formally documented—this project brings them forward.
History is still happening
Environmental justice is not just the past—it is ongoing, and your story helps us understand it in real time.
Community is the authority
The people who live these experiences are the experts—this timeline centers lived knowledge, not just institutions.
Place matters
From East Austin to campus spaces like Huston-Tillotson University, land and history are deeply connected.
Collective memory builds power
When we document our stories together, we create a shared understanding that can shape future change.
Why this work matters
Share your story
We invite you to contribute to the timeline by responding to one of the prompts below. You can write your response or record it as audio.
- What is a memory you have connected to land, environment, or place in Austin?
- How have you seen environmental changes impact your community?
- What does environmental justice mean to you, based on your lived experience?
1
Submit your story
Fill out the form and choose to write or record your response.
2
We review your entry
Our team ensures submissions are appropriate and ready for public sharing.
3
Your story becomes part of the timeline
Approved entries are added to the interactive digital timeline.
4
See it come to life at Earth Day ATX
At the festival, you’ll receive a QR code sticker representing your story to place on the physical timeline.
How it works
This is more than a timeline
It’s a moment for us—to remember, to share, and to shape what comes next.