HUB CITY HISTORY | It is 1923 in Lubbock, Texas, and City Ordinance 225 hits the books—an effort to ban African-Americans from living in any area of Lubbock west of Avenue C and north of 16th Street. It states: "Their residence is dangerous to the health and pollutes the earth and atmosphere."  Some say the racist ordinance was not actually official nor enforced. But it also was not repealed until 2006—83 years after it was written. 

Many Hub City residents may dismiss racist roots, viewing it as an unfortunate trait of our ancestors. But is our past, truly, in the past? That depends on whom you ask. A newer city document, a comprehensive plan for the future, outlines some of the challenges communities of color face in Lubbock and offers solutions. Now, it is up to the city to stick to Plan Lubbock 2040—and citizens are holding them accountable.

Join us for an all-new season of Beyond the Report—looking at the history of segregation in Lubbock and the hopes for positive change in historically Black neighborhoods. Learn more about our multiplatform series below.

THE SERIES

A Plan for Progress | video series | After the release of Plan Lubbock 2040, some residents were concerned with the continuation of industrial zoning in minority-majority neighborhoods. This series follows fair housing advocates, neighborhood associations and everyday citizens as they look for solutions to this issue, and attempt to hold the city accountable.

watch this series

Radio Reports| audio series | A common theme throughout Plan Lubbock 2040 is the need to address challenges east of Interstate 27. Our radio series highlights those issues, featuring the people who deal with them day in and day out and are leading change.

listen to this series

Stories from East Lubbock | podcast | Out of the confinement set by the 1923 ordinance grew a tight-knit community of educators, innovators and mentors. This short podcast series is dedicated to sharing the stories from those who have helped their community blossom in the shadows of the past.

listen to this series

OTHER RESOURCES