Then Wela said: “Soy Cementera…" and changed everything.
I started my homecoming (connecting to my ancestors, both living and ascended) in 2016 when I began researching my family history. I connected to this history when my Grammy (my paternal and White grandmother) went into memory care for her dementia. Seeing the loss of her memories caused me go to my Wela (my maternal and Mexicana grandmother), and interview her to record her stories while she still remembered them. I sat down with her and asked her to speak about anything that came to her. One of the first things she said to me was “soy cementera.” Few other statements have had a larger impact on my life. I asked for clarification on what being a “cementera” meant to her and she explained that her family - my family, was from Cemento Grande, The Trinity Portland Cement Company Town. Prior to that moment, I never heard of Cemento Grande.
Since then, I have pursued gleaning, documenting and recounting this undertold history of the people who helped build up the city of Dallas as a Barrio Historian of Cemento Grande (where my ancestors lived) and Oak Cliff (where I currently reside).
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An exhibit which commemorates the contribution and history of Latinx / Hispanic owned automotive businesses to ensure they have a place in Oak Cliff’s future. The exhibit is a collection of articles, awards, prints, photos and other materials sourced from local automotive business owners and neighbors.
The Exhibit Opening Event will take place at Arts Mission Oak Cliff 6pm-8pm, April 14rth (410 South Windomere Avenue Dallas, TX 75208).
You may also make an appointment to view the gallery at the following dates and times:
April 15-16 | Gallery Hours 1pm-5pm | by appointment
April 17-19 | Gallery Hours 6pm-8pm | by appointment
April 24-27 | Gallery Hours 6pm-8pm | by appointment
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Beginning in 2021, Victoria partnered with the North Texas Master Naturalists ( NTMN) for the following opportunity:
New Class Members along with local stakeholders (Community members and descendants of Cemento Grande) and NTMN Project Liaisons to begin the process of adding El Campo Santo de Cemento Grande to the Adopt-A-Cemetery Constellation; with a long term goal of creating a Monarch Habitat & Way Station and adding the Campo Santo de Cemento Grande to the NTMN Projects List for Chapter members to earn Volunteer Hours.
About El Campo Santo de Cemento Grande : Campo Santo de Cemento Grande is the first Mexican cemetery in Dallas County. Located at 4331 Communications Dr., 75211 (south of I-30, off of Cockrell Hill Rd.) in a small corner of a parking lot of an AT&T office building. The cemetery once spread across 2.6 acres but has now been reduced to 126x89 ft.
“Campo Santo” translates as “Holy Field” and is a traditional term used by many LatinX and Hispanic communities to refer to a cemetery. The use of this term dates back to the 16th century during the establishment of missions in the Americas. Nowadays, the terms Cementerio or Panteón are more commonly used, but many older generations still use the term “Campo Santo.”
The area now known as Pinnacle Park, was once known as Cement City because it included villages for the cement company workers – Cemento Grande, Cemento Chico and Eagle Ford. Cemento Grande was the company town for the Mexican Immigrant laborers of the Trinity Portland Cement Company and provided housing from 1909 – 1959. The company donated land to be used as a cemetery in 1909. A historical marker was placed on the site in 1991.
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As the City of Dallas experiences exponential growth, Oak Cliff, one of the most thriving cultural centers of the Latino community in Dallas has had an influx of new residents and development that continues to transform the neighborhood. Currently, under the pressure of gentrification, the tethers to history and the residents that helped to build this community as we know it, are in flux. Victoria produced the documentary film Nuestro Oak Cliff.
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Faces of cement city a Teatro Dallas and Tropic Pictures collaboration.
We invite you to view our new, ten minute short film about the community of families that built our city. They lived in the shadows of the factories, in a place known as Cemento Grande...Cement City.
We dedicate this production to the lives of our brothers and sisters stolen from us by racism, violence and oppression and pledge our support for Mothers Against Police Brutality. We contribute to la lucha with our work. Please join with us in supporting MAPB.
Please donate to this worthy organization as they continue to portray stories focused on our community. You can do so HERE.
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SEASON 2:
In our second season we will highlight personal immigration and migration stories to Oak Cliff, as collected and narrated by Sunset High School students, their families, and community members of Oak Cliff, Dallas, Texas.
This project is supported by funding from the Institute for Diversity and Civic Life, made possible by a grant from the Henry Luce Foundation.
This Season's Podcast is hosted by Maestro Alonso, Olimpia, Juana, and Nelyda (Our Joven Historians) as they share their findings.
SEASON 1:
“No dejes que alguien más dicté la historia de tu vida y de tus ancestros.”
“Don’t let someone else dictate the story of your life and your ancestors.”
The Chronicles of Dallas Barrios Podcast podcast is an ode to our community. Telling our own stories is what we seek to accomplish with this project. Dallas is home to diverse groups of people that rarely have an opportunity to share their unique history. Whether they are a first generation business owner or a fourth generation community leader, we seek to preserve the unique history de nuestros barrios so that future generations can learn about their antepasados.
Through the creation of this podcast the Emerging Historians intend to preserve the stories of our challenging times focused on the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) experience in the City of Dallas. In our conversations with businesses, whether they be restaurants, artists, or boutiques we aspire to use our network to connect community members to resources, and document the narratives of those often kept in the shadows.
This Season's Podcast is hosted by Victoria Ferrell-Ortiz, Biviana Hurtado, Jennifer Rangel, and Johnny Reyes.
Click HERE to listen.
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2022: Migration Narratives Project Showcase
2021: Young Leaders Strong City Student Equity Camp (Twice)
2021: Dallas Barrio History Presentation for City Lab High School Students
2021: (im)Migration Narrative Project / Oak Cliff Exhibit Intro to Sunset High School Students
2021: UNT Alternative Spring Break
2021: Center for Creative Connections Discussion at the Dallas Museum of Art
2020: Dallas Urban Future Series
2019: Eagle Ford School Reunion