ABOUT US
TCAALH began its life as a living history theatre company: Talking Back Living History. In 2007 Talking Back Living History became a 501C3 non-profit for Public Education. The company was asked for more—Heritage tourism, docent training, lectures, any and everything Black Texas History. So in 2008 TBLH changed its name to Texas Center for African American Living History (TCAALH).
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By 2010 when the University of Texas published 15 of TCAALH’s plays in Go Down, Old Hannah, the company had produced some 150 programs at historic sites, schools, universities, libraries, and for festivals, conferences and family reunions. The non-profit has had alliances with Texas Commission on the Arts, Humanities Texas, The National Park Service, Texas Historical Commission, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Sam Houston Museum and the George Ranch Historical Park, and Young Audiences Houston.
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Our focus for the delivery of our services has streamlined itself to Events, Exhibits, Media, and Tours. Whatever public education we pursue falls in one of these categories.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President & Director of Fundraising
Warner Henson
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Vice President & Legal Counsel
Marrick Armstrong
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Treasurer
Mike Fontaine
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Legal Counsel
Marrick Armstrong
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Secretary & Director Community Outreach
Lucille Ewell​
ADVISORY BOARD
William Adams
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Vincent Deforest
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John Franklin
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Peter Hanes
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Michael Lewis
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Patricia Smith-Prather
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Dave Washington
NAOMI CARRIER, CEO
Naomi Mitchell Carrier graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in Psychology and Education. Her master’s in Education Leadership was earned at the University of St. Thomas and post grad work has been done at Harvard Graduate School of Education. Her continuing education includes the University of Houston, Tulane University, and the Universities of Texas at Winedale, El Paso and San Antonio. Mrs. Carrier, is a veteran classroom teacher of American and Texas history, music, literature and theatre. Her book, Go Down Old Hannah, The Living History of African American Texans is a collection of 15 plays commissioned for historic sites around the State of Texas through her theater, Talking Back Living History Theatre.
Carrier is the Head of School at St. James Episcopal School and also directs the Performing Arts Workshop at St. James School, is best known as the playwright and composer for the award-winning musical, I Am Annie Mae. Her work has received grants and awards from the National Park Service, National Freedom Center, National Endowment for the Humanities, Texas Commission for the Arts, Texas Composers Forum, Humanities Texas, The City of Houston, The Brown Foundation, The Meadows Foundation, Texas Parks & Wildlife, and The Houston Endowment.
