The Where I Live series aims to showcase our diverse city and region by spotlighting its many vibrant neighborhoods. Each week a local resident invites us over and lets us in on what makes their neighborhood special. Have we been to your neighborhood yet? Get in touch to share your story. If your story is selected and published, you will receive a $250 stipend.
Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, I grew up on the East Side of San Antonio after my family migrated here following Hurricane Katrina. A lot of Louisiana natives moved to Texas during this time, and I think my mom felt comfortable living in an urban area because that’s what we’ve always known.
In my neighborhood near Eastgate, my house was the house that everyone came to. When my friends had no place to go or just wanted to get out, my mom would welcome them with open arms. They could count on a warm meal and comfort at Dasia’s house. I’m sure to this day, they could each tell you their favorite meal. That was my favorite part: having an amazing family at home and support from my parents.
I attended Sam Houston High School, home of the Hurricanes. I’m blessed to have attended a high school with so much culture and diversity. I’ve continued to live on the East Side because it’s familiar to me and the location has been compatible with my daily lifestyle.
I was lucky enough to connect with my next-door neighbor and her daughters simply by chatting with them when we ran into each other. On Mother’s Day, I was in the mood to give. I knew my neighbor was a single mom raising two daughters (that’s not easy), so I bought her a floral arrangement and left it at her door with a loving note. It made me feel good inside to do something with no motive but to make someone else’s day. I also gave her oldest daughter gifts for her graduation from high school, and she gave me the biggest hug. You can build community just by being friendly with your neighbors.
Another way I build community in my personal circles is by hosting events. I’ve had a Galentine’s, a Friendsgiving and I’m hoping to throw an Easter dilly-dallying picnic. I’m hoping to expand to a broader audience in the near future.
In my immediate neighborhood, I’m a bit limited in terms of recreation options or community spaces, but there are some standouts. Tank’s Pizza is a small Black-owned restaurant and lounge that feels like home and somewhere I can have fun with my people.
Luckily, I am naturally an explorer. I reside 10 minutes from downtown and have also worked downtown for the last 5 years, so I’m familiar with so many little hidden gems. These are spots that I’ve run into while out dilly-dallying.
My favorite spot to hang out is at the Pearl. It’s free, and the scenery is always nice. There’s a bookstore and two coffee shops I like, one called Bakery Lorraine and the other, Local Coffee.
Another favorite is Tre Trattoria, an Italian restaurant serving up some of the best wine and pasta. On my strolls downtown, I also stop at Royal Blue Grocery for a refreshing and healthy bite.
I would love to see more places like these on the East Side of San Antonio. I think that if people in my communities had these opportunities and knowledge about these places, it could change perspectives and encourage them to do more.
It’s funny because a lot of my peers and mutuals on social media didn’t even know that I lived in San Antonio because of the places I go, but I think it’s because there just isn’t enough exposure or opportunities for people where I grew up to get out into the community.
That’s why when I first posted my video to TikTok reminding people to dilly-dally, I hoped to show my audience and community that regardless of your surroundings and where you’re from, there are places that you can explore. You just have to get out there.
I’d love to see more open parks and spaces for people to get together and form community through activities, more programs for kids to be creative and more community-based organizations addressing the poverty in our neighborhoods and making our community a better place for kids to grow up in.
There is so much talent on the East Side — athletes, scholars, artists, musicians, writers and business owners — and I hope to open doors for my community.
