Naomi Carrier academic career and community activism collection materials

Born in the Rio Grande Valley, Naomi Carrier grew up in Wichita Falls and graduated from the University of North Texas with degrees in Psychology and Education, before getting a masters in Education Leadership at the University of St. Thomas. She did her post-Graduate work at Harvard Graduate school of education, and continues her education at the University of Houston, Tulane University, and the Universities of Texas at Winedale, El Paso and San Antonio.

An experienced classroom teacher of American and Texas history, music, literature and theatre, Carrier began writing nonfiction to showcase at festivals and annual historical celebrations in order to show an African-American perspective. Her plays are frequently performed in various venues by Talking Back Living History Theatre, an organization which Carrier co-founded.

Carrier travelled all over to Texas to do extensive research before writing each of her plays, which take place in Texas between 1821 to 1865--as well as several set after the Civil war. The fifteen plays, compiled in her award-winning book Go Down, Old Hannah: The Living History of African American Texans, cover topics such as celebrations of enslaved people, family breakups, running away, the Civil War, emancipation, and reconstruction.

Naomi Carrier is the Founder and CEO of the Texas Center for African American Living History, and has been represented on the Texas Commission for the Arts Touring Roster for over 15 years. She has received grants and awards from the National endowment for the Humanities, National Park Service, The National Freedom Center, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Humanities Texas, The University of St. Thomas, The Houston Endowment, The Brown Foundation, The Meadows Foundation, and the Cities of Houston, Huntsville, Athens and Galveston.

Today, Carrier is the Head of School at St. James Episcopal School, and directs the Performing Arts Workshop at St. James School. She continues to push for historical inclusion, working with other educators, museum, and business professionals to create “A Celebration of Triumph,” a festival acknowledging the achievements and aspirations of African American Texans.