The Emancipation Park Conservancy (EPC) Board of Directors has named Jennifer Spriggs the new Executive Director. Ms. Spriggs background as a manager of large public spaces, combined with a deep passion for community service, will help to further advance the mission of the organization, that celebrated its 150th anniversary last year. “We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer as our new Executive Director,” says Ramon Manning, EPC’s Board Chairman.

“She will bring budget & large public space management experience, enthusiasm, great communication skills and a customer service focus to Emancipation Park. We feel very lucky to have her and look forward to a successful and invigorating journey with her at the helm.” Ms. Spriggs will manage all day-to-day operations for EPC, known for its grand Juneteenth Festival and its education and community programs. Spriggs will also oversee fundraising, programs, as well as marketing and community engagement initiatives.  “I consider Emancipation Park the crown jewel of Houston. I’m thrilled to lead Houston’s most historic green space organization and help bring this asset to a broader audience,” says Spriggs.

Ms. Spriggs served in several management roles during her nineteen-year career at Aramark.  She was a General Manager at TDECU Stadium, assistant general manager at the George R. Brown Convention Center as well as the Director of Operations for the Theater District where the Wortham, Jones Hall & Miller Outdoor Theater were all in her portfolio. She managed several hundred hourly employees and over 20 salaried managers while creating a customer service first culture.

Located in the heart of Houston’s Historic 3rd Ward community, Emancipation Park is one of the oldest public parks in the state of Texas. Emancipation Park was founded in 1872 by former enslaved African Americans in Houston, Texas. The founders pooled together $800 to purchase the original 10 acres in the historic 3rd Ward community that is now Emancipation Park. The founders along with other community leaders purchased the property to have a place of their own to celebrate their recent freedom due to the Emancipation Proclamation. Emancipation Park is the home of Juneteenth, now a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of African Americans.