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BAYOU CITY STEWARDS: AMERICA FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE
An Exhibition Honoring Black American Innovation, Memory, and Cultural Legacy
HOUSTON, TX – June 1, 2026 – As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, The Houston Museum of African American Culture (HMAAC) proudly presents BAYOU CITY STEWARDS: America From Our Perspective. Produced by India Lovejoy and Rachel Simon, alongside interdisciplinary artist Robert Hodge, the exhibition marks the latest project from the team behind Houston's celebrated Collect It For The Culture series.
Curated by Hodge and Simon, the exhibition opens with a public reception on Friday, June 19th at 6 pm and will remain on view through Saturday, August 29th. In commemoration of Juneteenth, the exhibition features works and stories by select Houston-based artists, collectors, and cultural stewards and examines “homegrown” representations of America that both celebrate and challenge quintessential narratives of American life. Through visual art, objects, archives, and storytelling, the exhibition foregrounds Black Americans not as peripheral figures, but as architects of the American story.
“No single person holds the entire story; our Bayou City Stewards are living archives. They embody the power of collective memory and demonstrate how collecting can function as an intentional act of community responsibility. Their collections reflect a shared commitment to place; connecting generations and illustrating the profound impact of Black creativity on this country.” -Robert L. Hodge, Artist and Curator
Continuing the exhibition’s examination of freedom as a living and evolving practice, programming includes a live musical performance of WE BE FREE on July 2nd by Kahil El’Zabar and David Murray, whose decades-long collaboration has shaped the global landscape of experimental and spiritual jazz. Artists featured in the exhibition include John Biggers, Elizabeth Catlett, Jean Lacy, Jacob Lawrence, Bert Long, Jr., Jesse Lott, Richard Mayhew, Faith Ringgold, and more.
"As Houston approaches America's 250th anniversary, we are proud to center the voices, visions, and legacies of our community's artists and collectors as foundational and not as a footnote to history. This exhibition is a celebration of who we are, where we come from, and the stories we continue to write together." -Davinia Reed, HMAAC CEO
The exhibition's title says it all: America From Our Perspective is a curatorial lens and a public beckoning to recognize the untold histories, highlight Black Americans' indelible mark on this country, and an invitation to see the Bayou City for the cultural powerhouse it truly is.
Exhibition Highlights Include:
Friday, 6/19, 6-8pm: Opening reception at HMAAC (free to the public!)
o The exhibition opens to the public on June 19. A celebratory HMAAC Market will accompany the opening, bringing together local vendors, artists, and community members in the spirit of the holiday. The HMAAC Juneteenth Market is from 11-4pm while the exhibition reception begins at 6pm.
Thursday, 7/2: Jazz Concert starring Kahil El’Zabar & David Murray at HMAAC
o Legendary percussionist and bandleader Kahil El’Zabar joins forces with saxophone icon David Murray for their 2026 tour, WE BE FREE, a dynamic and deeply expressive program rooted in spiritual jazz improvisation, and the ongoing exploration of freedom through sound. They have captivated audiences worldwide for over 40 years, selling out venues across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Following the success of their previous collaborations, this new tour continues to build on their shared legacy as pioneers of Great Black Music, bringing together decades of innovation, global performance history, and cultural impact. https://pitch.com/v/sonic-
o Check HMAAC social media and website for ticket information.
Saturday, 8/22: Artist/Curator Talk at HMAAC
This exhibition is made possible through the extraordinary generosity of H-E-B, John Guess, Jr. and Melanie Lawson, HMAAC Board of Directors, the Brown Foundation and Houston Endowment.
For more information about Robert L. Hodge (Curator), visit www.robertleroyhodge.com
For more information about India Lovejoy (Producer), visit www.tintedconnections.
For more information about HMAAC, visit hmaac.org or follow @houstonmaac on social media.
ABOUT THE HOUSTON MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE
The Houston Museum of African American Culture (HMAAC) is dedicated to collecting, conserving, exploring, interpreting, and exhibiting the material and intellectual culture of Africans and African Americans in Houston, Texas, the Southwest, and throughout the African diaspora.
Through exhibitions, programs, and educational initiatives, HMAAC invites visitors of every race and background to engage with the rich and complex narratives of African American history and culture. The museum seeks to inspire curiosity, dialogue, and discovery-driven learning for audiences of all ages.
While centered on the African American experience, HMAAC’s work highlights the interconnected histories that shape our shared society. By presenting exhibitions that explore culture, history, and identity, the museum fosters meaningful conversations about race, community, and the collective future we share.
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