Fort Worth Community Center to Commemorate Atatiana Jefferson

Following the Conviction of Former Fort Worth Officer Aaron Deandiscussion of the renaming of the historical recreation center to them. Atatiana Jefferson was back on the table at the first meeting of the Fort Worth City Council in the new year.

This time around, the idea was met with resistance that some say they didn’t expect.

Some fully supported the renaming of the center to memorialize Atatiana Jefferson. Several people said the center’s opening after Jefferson honors her grieving family and her legacy.

Others with history were not sold there.

So the council changed the original proposal to meet somewhere in the middle.

“We fully support this. I hope you can find it in your hearts and just rename this center,” activist Patrice Jones said.

Others, however, were not convinced that this was the right move and suggested other names to the council.

Gregory Wesley has been with the community center for generations and said his mother started several educational programs there.

“She fought for extra rooms and activities and a kitchen for cooking classes,” he said. “She fought for the pool, exposing the kids to things they might not have been exposed to otherwise.”

Eventually council member Chris Nettles amended the proposal to add Jefferson’s name to the center while retaining the Hillside name. The proposal was amended to change the name to “Atatiana Carr Jefferson at Hillside Community Center”.

The council unanimously approved the change.

Nettles said the changes will also include signage inside the building telling the history of the center and honoring others who have made significant contributions.