A crowd gathered to perform traditional Yoruba libations for the Carr-Jefferson family on March 11.
“Ibashe, ibashe, ibashe,” or “Homage to, homage to, homage to,” said Changa Higgins, a Dallas activist and Fort Worth Southside Community Garden member. “We have always given honor and respect to those who have come before us because we’ve always believed that our ancestors, when they crossed over to the other side, are working for us. They’re praying for us.”
After Higgins performed libations, or homages to the deceased, Fort Worth elected officials renamed the Hillside Community Center, 1201 E. Maddox Ave., to the Atatiana Carr-Jefferson Community Center at Hillside.
Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes helps set up on March 11 at the renaming ceremony of the Hillside Community Center to the Atatiana Carr-Jefferson Community Center at Hillside. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
Speakers sit on stage on March 11 at the renaming ceremony of the Hillside Community Center to the Atatiana Carr-Jefferson Community Center at Hillside. From left to right: Councilmember Gyna Bivens, Rev. Rodney McIntosh, Ashley Carr, James Smith. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
A biography of Atatiana Jefferson sits on stage on March 11 at the renaming ceremony of the Hillside Community Center in Jefferson’s name. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
Rev. Rodney McIntosh prays for the Carr-Jefferson family on March 11 at the renaming ceremony of the Hillside Community Center to the Atatiana Carr-Jefferson Community Center at Hillside. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
Ashley Carr, Atatiana Jefferson’s sister, bows her head in prayer on March 11 at the renaming ceremony of the Hillside Community Center to the Atatiana Carr-Jefferson Community Center at Hillside. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
Activist Changa Higgins explains what libations are on March 11 at the renaming ceremony of the Hillside Community Center to the Atatiana Carr-Jefferson Community Center at Hillside. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
Changa Higgins begins libations on March 11 at the renaming ceremony of the Hillside Community Center to the Atatiana Carr-Jefferson Community Center at Hillside. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
Councilmember Chris Nettles speaks to guests on March 11 at the renaming ceremony of the Hillside Community Center to the Atatiana Carr-Jefferson Community Center at Hillside. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
The Hillside Community Center was renamed the Atatiana Carr-Jefferson Community Center at Hillside on March 11. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)
Councilmember Chris Nettles, who represents District 8, where the community center is located, said March 11 is a good day and a day of remembrance.
Atatiana Carr-Jefferson was killed by Fort Worth police officer Aaron Dean in October 2019 inside her home on East Allen Avenue.
“This was a young lady who had a life full in front of her but was snatched in the blink of an eye,” Nettles said. “It is important that her legacy is remembered throughout the city of Fort Worth. How do we make sure her life is never forgotten? We named a center after her.”
The best view of the Fort Worth skyline can be seen from Hillside Park, Nettles said. “When you come to Hillside, to see the best view of Fort Worth, you’ll remember Atatiana’s name.”
The journey is a marathon, not a sprint, Nettles said.
“It took us several years to get to this day, but guess what? We have made it,” Nettles said. “A street topper is not enough, but guess what? Naming Hillside is still not enough.”
Cristian ArguetaSoto is the community engagement journalist at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him by email or via Twitter. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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