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ABOUT
Be a part of a revolution that reveres the unsung heroes of
sports and society.
A Legacy of Resilience
Amplifying Voices in
Sports and Society
Javier Wallace's story begins with his parents - a Black Panamanian immigrant and a descendant of enslaved Texans - who found common ground on the tennis courts of East Austin. It was there that Javier's parents met, bonding over their shared passion for sport and their determination to break down the systemic barriers placed before them.
Javier's grandfather, born in 1922 on a cotton farm, had only a 6th-grade education, as he spent much of his childhood working in agriculture, often in the cotton fields, rather than having the opportunity to attend school. Yet he harbored a dream for one of his eight children to attend the prestigious University of Texas, where he worked as a janitor. Though he himself was never able to access higher education, his perseverance and aspirations would shape the trajectory of his family for generations to come.
Javier's own path was forged through sports, just as his parents had been. He excelled at football, earning a scholarship to Florida A&M University, a Historically Black College and University, where he was immersed in the rich legacy of Black athletic achievement and activism. After college, Javier took his talents internationally, working in the Panamanian sports industry and deepening his connection to his father's homeland.
Professional Bio
Working With
Javier Wallace
Javier Wallace is an esteemed scholar, storyteller, and entrepreneur deeply committed to intertwining the rich tapestry of sports, history, and social justice. As the founder of Black Austin Tours and co-founder of AfroLatinx Travel, Javier has pioneered platforms that celebrate and elevate the narratives of Black diasporic communities in the fields of sports and beyond.
Rooted in his own experience as a distinguished former Division 1 college athlete and an alumnus of a Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), Javier has a unique perspective on the significance of sports in cultural and social movements. He procured his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Florida A&M University, followed by a PhD from The University of Texas at Austin, where he delved into the intersections of race, culture, and athletics.
Javier's expertise has led him to prominent roles, including serving as a Fellow at Harvard's AfroLatin American Research Initiative, a University of Pennsylvania & University of Birmingham (UK) Immigration Fellow, and a Postdoctoral Associate and Professor at Duke University. His scholarly work has been recognized with accolades, such as the Harvard ALARI Best Dissertation on an Afro-Latin American topic in 2020 and a Preservation Merit Award from Preservation Austin.
Javier has been featured in numerous media outlets such as TEDx, The Travel Channel, Discovery Channel, Vice Sports, ESPN, and CNN, marking him as a distinctive voice in his arena. His dedication to shining a light on the unsung heroes who have transformed sports into a stage for empowerment and social change remains unwavering. A committed traveller and cultural enthusiast, Javier continues to connect and promote these remarkable stories of resilience and triumph wherever his journey takes him.
It was during this time that Javier's scholarly interests began to coalesce. Inspired by his family's story of using sports to overcome adversity, he pursued a PhD, exploring the intersections of race, culture, and athletics. Now a professor and researcher, Javier has dedicated his career to unearthing and preserving the extraordinary narratives of marginalized communities - particularly Black individuals - who have wielded sports as a vehicle for empowerment and social change.
Through his company, Black Austin Tours, Javier shares these transformative stories with the world. What began as a local heritage tour operation in Austin has evolved into a multimedia platform, using documentaries, lectures, and digital content to amplify the unsung heroes who paved the way before us. Javier's vision is to expand Black Austin Tours' reach beyond Texas, creating a lasting legacy that celebrates the Black diaspora's indelible contributions to sports and society.
Whether working with sports brands, cultural institutions, or educational organizations, Javier's mission remains the same: to raise awareness, increase accessibility, and boost morale within these communities. By shining a light on the remarkable individuals who've used their athletic gifts to overcome adversity, he hopes to inspire the next generation of trailblazers.
Javier's personal experiences, scholarly expertise, and innate storytelling abilities make him a unique voice in the fields of history, sports, and social justice. He invites you to join him on this journey of discovery - to be surprised and empowered by the extraordinary people who've paved the way before us.