Urban Architecture Associate Crystal Granger was invited to speak at the National Trust for Historic Preservation 2010 National Conference in Austin, TX. The Affinity Session, titled Realized Communities: Necessary Spaces, attracted professionals with specific or related backgrounds in preservation to discuss their respective experiences and current work. Crystal presented a case study on one of Houston’s Historic African American Churches and the preservation challenges of its surrounding community. The speakers highlighted the challenges they face during information gathering, applying for designations and funding, identifying resources, and navigating the regulatory process. Representatives of a historic community in Florida shared some helpful tips about their successful marketing efforts fund ongoing preservation work for the last ten years receiving national recognition. Many agreed that the conversation must continue through similar sessions in their respective locations. There were several recommendations that information and ideas should be available for reference through a recognized source such as the National Trust with specific guidelines for preservation work in minority communities. In addition to assembling a resource guide representing collaborative input from the participants, the session ended with an exchange of ideas on how to move beyond the challenges that are commonly faced when studying underrepresented communities.
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