Dr. Opal Lee's Home Reconstruction: Trinity Habitat, Texas Capital, and HistoryMaker Homes Join Forces
Texas Capital, Trinity Habitat for Humanity, and HistoryMaker Homes have united to reconstruct the residence of Dr. Opal Lee, revered as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth." The official Wall Raising Ceremony for her new abode is scheduled for Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. This endeavor has been made possible through contributions from the Texas Capital Foundation, the philanthropic branch of Texas Capital, HistoryMaker Homes, and Trinity Habitat for Humanity.
In 1939, as a young girl, Dr. Lee witnessed her family home engulfed in flames. Despite this setback, she never relinquished her dream of owning her family's property. Dr. Lee approached Trinity Habitat for Humanity to inquire about purchasing the lot, which they generously granted to her for a nominal fee of $10. Upon learning of the need to construct a new home for Dr. Lee, Texas Capital enlisted the support of HistoryMaker Homes, its longstanding residential homebuilding partner. In a heartening gesture, HistoryMaker Homes generously offered to construct the home at no expense to Dr. Lee. Recently, Dr. Lee visited the HistoryMaker Homes design center, where she personally selected all the flooring, fixtures, and lighting for her forthcoming home.
The Texas Capital Foundation is funding the furnishings for the home, and both Texas Capital and HistoryMaker Homes employees will volunteer at the wall-raising event. Jon Larson, Texas Capital’s Head of Homebuilder and Community Finance, Nelson Mitchell, CEO of HistoryMaker Homes, and Gage Yager, CEO of Trinity Habitat for Humanity, will deliver remarks during the ceremony.
In a departure from the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, Trinity Habitat for Humanity, Texas Capital, and HistoryMaker Homes will commemorate the wall raising of Opal Lee’s new home by cutting a 2x6 wood stud with a miter saw. Following this symbolic gesture, staff and volunteers will raise the walls of Dr. Opal Lee’s new residence.
"Dr. Opal Lee has given so much to our community and our nation, and has been a tireless, lifelong advocate for racial equity and justice. We are proud to be able to give something back to her to honor her life’s work,” said Effie Dennison, Texas Capital’s head of Community Development and president of the Texas Capital Foundation.
“Our goal with every home we build is to create a place where owners can feel a sense of pride, and we are deeply honored to be part of such a meaningful project,” said Nelson Mitchell, CEO of HistoryMaker Homes. “Dr. Lee represents the very best of our community and our nation in her determination for racial justice, and there is no better way to express our profound gratitude than through her new home. Alongside our more than 50 partners and trades, our entire team at HistoryMaker is proud to work together on this momentous home build.”
Reflecting on our shared history with Dr. Opal Lee, Gage Yager, CEO of Trinity Habitat for Humanity, expressed, “We are here to collaborate with a friend to construct a home and, in a small way, alleviate a significant hardship from years past.”
This endeavor is made possible by the generosity of many individuals. The partnership between Trinity Habitat for Humanity, Texas Capital, and HistoryMaker Homes underscores our collective dedication to giving back and supporting impactful initiatives in the Fort Worth metroplex.
Recognized as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth," Dr. Opal Lee devoted decades to educating others about the importance of Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States and the day enslaved Texans were informed of their freedom. Her efforts led to Juneteenth's national recognition and its eventual designation as a federal holiday in 2021.
Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc, a constituent of the Russell 2000® Index and the S&P MidCap 400®, is the parent company of Texas Capital Bank, operating under the name Texas Capital. Established in 1998, the firm, headquartered in Dallas with offices in Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and Fort Worth, offers tailored financial solutions to businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals nationwide. With comprehensive services spanning commercial banking, consumer banking, investment banking, and wealth management, Texas Capital serves clients throughout their financial journeys.
In 1939, as a young girl, Dr. Lee witnessed her family home engulfed in flames. Despite this setback, she never relinquished her dream of owning her family's property. Dr. Lee approached Trinity Habitat for Humanity to inquire about purchasing the lot, which they generously granted to her for a nominal fee of $10. Upon learning of the need to construct a new home for Dr. Lee, Texas Capital enlisted the support of HistoryMaker Homes, its longstanding residential homebuilding partner. In a heartening gesture, HistoryMaker Homes generously offered to construct the home at no expense to Dr. Lee. Recently, Dr. Lee visited the HistoryMaker Homes design center, where she personally selected all the flooring, fixtures, and lighting for her forthcoming home.
The Texas Capital Foundation is funding the furnishings for the home, and both Texas Capital and HistoryMaker Homes employees will volunteer at the wall-raising event. Jon Larson, Texas Capital’s Head of Homebuilder and Community Finance, Nelson Mitchell, CEO of HistoryMaker Homes, and Gage Yager, CEO of Trinity Habitat for Humanity, will deliver remarks during the ceremony.
In a departure from the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, Trinity Habitat for Humanity, Texas Capital, and HistoryMaker Homes will commemorate the wall raising of Opal Lee’s new home by cutting a 2x6 wood stud with a miter saw. Following this symbolic gesture, staff and volunteers will raise the walls of Dr. Opal Lee’s new residence.
"Dr. Opal Lee has given so much to our community and our nation, and has been a tireless, lifelong advocate for racial equity and justice. We are proud to be able to give something back to her to honor her life’s work,” said Effie Dennison, Texas Capital’s head of Community Development and president of the Texas Capital Foundation.
“Our goal with every home we build is to create a place where owners can feel a sense of pride, and we are deeply honored to be part of such a meaningful project,” said Nelson Mitchell, CEO of HistoryMaker Homes. “Dr. Lee represents the very best of our community and our nation in her determination for racial justice, and there is no better way to express our profound gratitude than through her new home. Alongside our more than 50 partners and trades, our entire team at HistoryMaker is proud to work together on this momentous home build.”
Reflecting on our shared history with Dr. Opal Lee, Gage Yager, CEO of Trinity Habitat for Humanity, expressed, “We are here to collaborate with a friend to construct a home and, in a small way, alleviate a significant hardship from years past.”
This endeavor is made possible by the generosity of many individuals. The partnership between Trinity Habitat for Humanity, Texas Capital, and HistoryMaker Homes underscores our collective dedication to giving back and supporting impactful initiatives in the Fort Worth metroplex.
Recognized as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth," Dr. Opal Lee devoted decades to educating others about the importance of Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States and the day enslaved Texans were informed of their freedom. Her efforts led to Juneteenth's national recognition and its eventual designation as a federal holiday in 2021.
Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc, a constituent of the Russell 2000® Index and the S&P MidCap 400®, is the parent company of Texas Capital Bank, operating under the name Texas Capital. Established in 1998, the firm, headquartered in Dallas with offices in Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and Fort Worth, offers tailored financial solutions to businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals nationwide. With comprehensive services spanning commercial banking, consumer banking, investment banking, and wealth management, Texas Capital serves clients throughout their financial journeys.
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