Blackland, a historic neighborhood on the east side of Austin, Texas, is nestled between Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd to the south, Manor Road to the north, I-35 to the west, and Chestnut Street to the east. Initially known as Blacklands and settled by Swedish immigrants, it transformed into a predominantly African-American community following Austin's 1928 city plan, which mandated the relocation of non-white residents to the city's east side.

The neighborhood faced significant challenges up until the 1980s, as it was marked for demolition to facilitate the expansion of the University of Texas campus. This period was a pivotal time for Blackland, shaping its historical and cultural identity within Austin.