First, a single voice hums. Then, a choir swells in the background. Finally, a confident voice rises above the music saying, 鈥淭he heart and soul of the Black church can be felt through the rhythms and melodies that pulsate and reverberate throughout the communities they're in.鈥�
So begins Marquel Sennet (PhD Candidate in History) in her now award-winning episode, for the podcast series Public Historians at Work through the UH Center for Public History. Sennet was recently selected as the 2026 recipient of the in recognition of her strong research, commitment to excellence, and passion for larger Harris County history. This $1500 scholarship has been awarded annually by HCHS to 91视频 undergraduate and graduate students since 2023 in honor of the society鈥檚 100th anniversary. It is unique in that it represents the first and only award at UH for students explicitly doing public history work.
Sennet鈥檚 episode takes podcast listeners to church at the historic - a cornerstone of faith, community, and activism in Houston's Third Ward for more than a century. Sennet reflects, 鈥淗istorically, the Black church has served as the epicenter of Black communities, providing religious spaces with educational and political tenets that shaped social justice across the United States.鈥� Wesley A.M.E. was no different 鈥� from its origins as a refuge for newly emancipated people to its pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement. In fact, it was at the church where postal carrier Heman Marion Sweatt agreed to challenge segregation in the landmark Supreme Court case that paved the way for Brown v. Board of Education.
In 2025, the congregation of Wesley moved from its historic Third Ward location to a new facility along the 288 highway, but it continues in its ongoing mission of uplifting the community and providing services to Houston鈥檚 most vulnerable residents. Sennet captures the full vibrancy of this story through conversations with Pastor John F. White II and longtime members Carl Davis and Juanita Williams. Sennet is grateful for the opportunity to speak with them, especially because they are 鈥渁ctively working to preserve their history and ensure it is told for generations to come.鈥� This includes celebrating the historic Third Ward church building鈥檚 new future as a .
Sennet researched, recorded, and produced the episode as part of the UH graduate seminar, Digital Museums and Exhibits taught by Dr. Kristina Neumann (Associate Professor of Ancient & Digital History and executive producer of Public Historians at Work). As of Fall 2026, Sennet鈥檚 episode has reached audiences in eleven countries and 67 cities worldwide.
Sennet is honored to receive this award and expresses her thanks to the HCHS and the CPH Scholarship Selection Committee for recognizing the episode鈥檚 value: 鈥淚 appreciate the Harris County Historical Society for investing in the future of public historians and encouraging research and scholarship that highlight Houston鈥檚 rich history while bringing those stories to the forefront. I would also like to take a moment to thank Dr. Neumann for her guidance throughout this project and for equipping me with valuable tools and skills that are essential for public historians.鈥�
Sennet presented her research to the HCHS at their annual dinner in October. UH undergraduates A鈥橵iyon Robinson and Adithi Nythruva also received honorable mentions from CPH for their respective articles published in the Houston History magazine issue, .
Marquel Sennet (second from left) at the annual dinner for the Harris County Historical
Society. Also pictured from the left are Dr. Nancy Beck Young (Director of the Center
for Public History), Adithi Nythruva, A鈥橵iyon Robinson, and Dr. Debbie Harwell (Editor
of Houston History magazine).