Fronteras

William Henry Ellis was born a slave in Victoria, Texas, in 1864 — a year before slavery was abolished in the state.

He was born a slave in Texas and became a Mexican millionaire. William Henry Ellis had one of the most remarkable, and mysterious, rags-to-riches stories of the early 20th century. We spoke with Karl Jacoby and Chip Williams to better understand the story of this self-made millionaire and all his identities in between.

He was born a slave in Texas and became a Mexican millionaire. William Henry Ellis had one of the most remarkable, and mysterious, rags-to-riches stories of the early 20th century. We spoke with Karl Jacoby and Chip Williams to better understand the story of this self-made millionaire and all his identities in between.

The study of heritage Spanish is receiving more credit and recognition in the classroom. Meghann Peace and Emily Bernante, professors of Spanish at St. Mary’s University and St. Edward’s University, explain this recent phenomenon (00:18). And, a historic Mexican movie theater which was once a cultural cornerstone for the community is getting a second chance (13:57).

The study of heritage Spanish is receiving more credit and recognition in the classroom. Meghann Peace and Emily Bernante, professors of Spanish at St. Mary’s University and St. Edward’s University, explain this recent phenomenon (00:18). And, a historic Mexican movie theater which was once a cultural cornerstone for the community is getting a second chance (13:57).

One of the last classic Mexican movie palaces in San Antonio still stands. Built in 1949, for three decades, the Alameda Theatre played host not only to films, but variety shows known as “variedades.” Stars of Mexico’s golden age, including Pedro Infante, Maria Félix, and Cantinflas graced the stage. But what set the Alameda apart from other nearby theaters, was it offered desegregated seating. The Alameda closed in the late 1980s. There have been numerous attempts to revive it, but the latest

One of the last classic Mexican movie palaces in San Antonio still stands. Built in 1949, for three decades, the Alameda Theatre played host not only to films, but variety shows known as “variedades.”

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund was founded 50 years ago to defend the rights of Mexican-Americans in the U.S. We explored some of the organization’s victories with Nina Perales, vice president of litigation for the organization (01:02). And, a new play is shedding a light on some Latino Vietnam veterans who have gone unaccounted for decades (16:45).

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund was founded 50 years ago to defend the rights of Mexican-Americans in the U.S. We explored some of the organization’s victories with Nina Perales, vice president of litigation for the organization (01:02). And, a new play is shedding a light on some Latino Vietnam veterans who have gone unaccounted for decades (16:45).

One of San Antonio’s oldest neighborhoods dates back nearly 300 years. But by the 1970s, gentrification led to the demolition of an area west of the San Pedro Creek: Barrio Laredito. On this episode of Fronteras, we talk to cultural anthropologist Citlali María Zentella and archaeologist and historian Jorge Luis Garcia Ruiz (00:16). Then, with early voting underway, one Native American comedy troupe is using humor to increase voter turnout among the American Indian community (11:45).