On March 10, 2022 FBISD hosted the first of four community engagement sessions led by the MASS Design Group to collect community input on the Sugar Land 95 Memorialization Project. The workshop began with an introduction of MASS and engagement goals, followed by a brief project introduction by FBISD. MASS then described the workshop activities including community standards that would occur in Zoom breakout rooms.

Approximately 30+ participants were divided into three breakout rooms, each with a MASS facilitator

and two FBISD moderators. The facilitators prompted breakout room discussion with targeted questions and took notes, which have been edited for clarity, but not for content. The notes are intended to reflect the full range of opinions captured in the breakout rooms. Following the breakout room, participants returned to the main group for a brief report out and summary remarks.

Discussion in the breakout rooms were facilitated based on four questions. Key insights gleaned from each prompt include: 

Q1: This project is important to me because…

1. This is a crucial piece of history and is necessary to tell the full truth (about convict leasing, as well as Sugar Land and Fort Bend’s history).
2. This project is important to me because this history was not taught to me.
3. I am a member of the Fort Bend community, and therefore am connected to this story.
4. Justice* must be sought for the victims. (*to be defined throughout engagement and design process)

Q2: Why is this story important to tell?

1. This is a part of our shared history.
2. We must face the truth by telling the story of the victims to end the cycles of systemic violence that have begun here and in the nation.
3. We must educate ourselves and the next generation to prevent history from repeating itself.
4. Telling the story is a step to healing trauma.
5. Convict leasing is connected to carceral systems today.

Q3: What can we do here that we can’t do anywhere else?

1. The cemetery is ground zero - it helps remove the disconnect we often have from history.
2. We can transform a deep history into immersive educational opportunities.
3. We can be a model for reconciliation to the world.
4. It will establish a relationship to global narratives and future sites that are discovered.
5. Unite a diverse audience in Sugar Land.

Q4: What resonated with me most today was…

1. There was a shared humanity amongst the group.
2. History shall not be forgotten.
3. A desire to collectively move into the future and do more work – the story has not ended.
4. Healing* from past violence must be a part of the process. (*to be defined throughout engagement and design process)
5. The future generations cannot forget.
6. Inequality and injustice still exist today

Highlights of the session include active listening from attendees, with intimate dialogue based on honesty, vulnerability, and respect. The multiple engagement tools allowed for free conversation to take place with facilitation of group leaders.