In this role, she will join other AACHC members in advising commissioners court on designating and preserving historically significant landmarks and structures throughout Harris County. In addition, the Commission also works to expand community outreach and education.

Ashley is uniquely qualified for this role. As an educator and African American literary curator, she has spent her career advocating for the integrity of marginalized narratives. As a teaching artist, she uses every platform to bridge the gap between historical preservation and education.

Precinct 4 chatted with Ashley about what this appointment means, especially during Black History Month.

You are the creative director and founder of Houston’s chapter of The Free Black Women’s Library. Tell me more about how you began that project and why it’s important to the Harris County community.

Inspired by the original project in Brooklyn, I started this chapter here in Third Ward. It began with a simple question: “What happens when we center the brilliance of Black women in the neighborhoods they built?”

It wasn't just about exchanging books; it was about creating a mobile archive that travels through our historic communities. My growth as a leader is rooted in the library's communal pedagogy, where intergenerational conversations have deepened my ability to connect historical archival texts to the lived experiences of Black women in Harris County today.

In addition to your work as a creative director, you are an advisory board member for Nia’s Daughters Collective, a founding board member of the Sisters of the Yam Writing Society, and an educator at KIPP. How will your work inform your goals and priorities as a member of the African American Cultural Heritage Commission?

As the Founder and Creative Director of The Free Black Women’s Library HTX, I provide a space for sharing stories. I advocate for preserving Harris County’s stories, rituals, and literature. As an educator, I teach students that their voices are part of the full story within Harris County. My educational approach focuses on bridging the gap between a student’s identity and historical facts.

I will prioritize projects that translate the Commission’s work into TEKS-aligned resources so that historic sites like the African American Library at the Gregory School become standard field trip destinations for every Harris County student. As an advisory board member for Nia’s Daughters Collective and Sisters of the Yam Writing Society, I understand that a vision without a budget or partnership is just a dream. I know how to navigate board governance, move motions, and build strategic partnerships with libraries, non-profits, and cultural institutions. I will do what is necessary to see a restoration project through to completion.

Your appointment coincided with Black History Month, but the work of the AACHC and millions more organizations and community members is year-round. Can you share the importance of highlighting Black stories and perspectives throughout the year?

Our heritage is a living, breathing ecosystem. Year-round stewardship allows us to connect the bricks of Freedmen’s Town to the contemporary literature of Fifth Ward, demonstrating that the full story of our county is an ongoing journey, not a finished chapter.

True preservation requires consistent investment in education, landmarks, and community voices. By centering our stories 365 days a year, we ensure that the dignity of our ancestors and the potential of our youth stay at the forefront of every policy decision the county makes.

What advice would you give to those looking to make a lasting impact on their communities?

To create a lasting impact, move beyond just participating and embrace stewardship. Start by identifying the narrative gaps within your community. Consider who is absent from the stories being told, and dedicate yourself to filling that silence with consistent, year-round efforts.

A true legacy is not built in isolation; it requires collaboration across generations and sectors to preserve our cultural heritage. Discover the story that resonates with you and then cultivate a community to share and tell it.