The ZerNona S. Black Community Center is new to the east side community, but the contributions made by the woman it’s named after have been felt for years.
SAN ANTONIO — The ZerNona S. Black Multigenerational Community Center holds a special place in the hearts of many here on the east side. But what about the woman behind the namesake? How would you describe her? You’ll have to ask those who are inspired by her life’s work.
James Keown is the chairman of the board for the ZerNona Black Center.
“I came to Mount Zion about 20+ years ago,” Keown said. “And at that time Sister Black was in a wheelchair, but she had the wonderful smile on her face regardless of what her condition was. I would describe her as a person who had a heart of gold.”
Keown sees big plans ahead for the $5.5 million, 10,000 sq. ft. facility that opened December last year.
“We envisioned when we first started this project was that we would have I would call it, senior daycare,” he said. “We have a lot of seniors now that are home alone.”
Black was known for being an educator and activist, but she also had a heart for service and assisting members of the community. That was the theme visual artist Ronney Stevens wanted to convey through his two murals at the center.
“There’s a picture of when she married Rev. Clyde Black,” Stevens said. “I also have the Meals on Wheels portion where she started the Meals on Wheels up under his umbrella for the east side.”
Similar to a congregation assembling for worship, visitors of any age can convene within these walls in the coming months – embodying Black’s life of service.
“It’s a blessing to pay it forward knowing that this will be a center for after-school for the youngsters to study their work and to learn, to explore their creative talents as well,” Stevens said.
The ZerNona S. Black Multigenerational Community Center is located at 333 Martin Luther King Dr.