New mural to be a beacon for Black entrepreneurs, leaders in Fort Worth. Who’s on it?

David Silva Ramirez
·2 min read

An outdoor mural honoring Black business leaders who have contributed to the economic development of Tarrant County has taken shape on a building in east Fort Worth as Black History Month begins.

The mural, which covers an entire outside wall at 2800 Yeager St., includes several Black business and entrepreneurial leaders who made their marks in finance, construction, health care, education and more, as well as nine Black-owned businesses.

The mural was commissioned by CommUnity Frontline of Fort Worth, a nonprofit organization focused on racial justice, and completed by Texas-based artist Armando Castelan.

Dante Williams, CommUnity Frontline president and co-founder, said he would like the mural to be a destination point for east Fort Worth, a place for young and old to come and contemplate the history of Black businesses in the city.

“It will show the importance of embracing each other across generations with the past, present and future,” he said. “... This will also serve as a beacon to the city, the community and every Black entrepreneur that we are here, have been here, and we aren’t going anywhere.”

The 2800 Yeager St. is home to CommUnity Frontline and three other Black-owned businesses — Franklin & Anthony Custom Clothing, DFW Beauty Studio and DIG Contracting.

The nonprofit was founded in 2016 following the killings of several unarmed black men by law enforcement and the killing of five Dallas police officers. It was formed to initiate a long-term commitment to racial justice and healing.

Castelan, the commissioned artist, has also created artwork around Fort Worth and across the state.

The mural features:

  • William “Gooseneck” McDonald, founder and president of the Fraternal Bank and Trust

  • Joseph Breedlove, who made his mark in the construction industry

  • Amanda Davis, the first Black person to buy property in 1886 in what is now Stop Six

  • Dr. Marie “Doc” Holliday, a dentist who owns three businesses in Sundance Square

  • Dr. R. A. Ransom, physician and owner of Ethel Ransom Memorial Hospital, named for his late wife, who is also pictured

  • Lucille B. Smith, a caterer and developer of “Lucille’s All Purpose Hot Roll Mix”

  • Dennis Duncan, an administrator for Fort Worth ISD who is also known for conducting tours to historically black colleges

  • Little John’s Bar-B-Que

  • Fraternal Bank and Trust

  • Pinkston’s Mortuary

  • The Flint Hotel

  • Ethel Ransom Memorial Hospital

  • Smoke-A-Holics BBQ

  • Black Coffee

  • Hotel Dryce

  • The Dock Bookshop

  • Silhouettes of CommUnity Frontline founders: Williams Franklin Moss Jr., Quinton Phillips and Derek Carson.

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