115 leaders from five TMO institutions in Houston's Third Ward -- St. Mary's Catholic, Pilgrim UCC, St. James Episcopal, Good Hope Baptist, and Friends of Columbia Tap -- convened in early February to celebrate the history and future of the Columbia Tap Rail-Trail, a 4-mile walking and biking trail that runs the length of the neighborhood and holds deep, historical significance.

The meeting comes after half year of relationship-building amongst the congregations and multiple trips to City Hall to follow up on past promises to invest in this important element of recreation and transportation infrastructure.

Following these efforts, the City of Houston announced it had sought out and been awarded a $7.5 million grant from the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC) and the federal government to enhance safety and accessibility along the Columbia Tap Trail. The Columbia Tap Trail sits along a former rail line that was constructed in the 1850s by enslaved Black men and was used to transport sugar and cotton from plantations in surrounding counties to the Port of Houston for shipment around the world.

Participants learned about the historical significance of the trail and witnessed TMO leaders secure commitments from key city officials on related issues including lighting, historical markers, and future meetings around public safety and transparency.

[Photo Credit (main): Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle]