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Genesis Hernandez, 23, stands outside Long Bazaar in Diamond Hill, Feb. 21, 2024. Hernandez has fond memories of visiting the local flea market with family. To Hernandez, it symbolizes the beauty of where they come from. (Camilo Diaz | Fort Worth Report)
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By Genesis Hernandez

I’ve lived in Diamond Hill all my life. 

My parents settled here in the late ’90s after starting their relationship and family. My siblings and I all attended Diamond Hill Elementary School, but strayed from our traditional Diamond Hill Pyramid by attending J.P. Elder Middle School and North Side High School. 

We have all been pretty academically inclined and successful throughout our schooling, despite obstacles in our upbringing. Fortunately, I was able to complete my bachelor’s degree at the University of North Texas in spring 2023.

Our community consists of a majority of Latino/Hispanic-identifying folks with a smaller population of other ethnic groups. 

I grew up with my culture constantly in my surroundings. The language I spoke at home, the food I ate and learned to make, the dances I learned, the music I listened to, and the experiences my eyes have taken in have all formed the multifaceted young adult I am today. 

What brought me closer to the community always was a shared fight for our rights, resources, and our dreams.

I love how neighborly my community is. The generous, thoughtful and artistic energy alive in this community manifests itself in the jobs our community members take on, their roles in their families, and the care they give to our lands and the people living in them. 

In situations of crisis, unity becomes the priority. We have learned to be self-sufficient and help others, when we have the means, in order to survive. Whether it was ingredients missing from the pantry, time to babysit a child after school while parents were at work, or an item or service for your home or car. 

I grew up seeing my mom cook large quantities of food to share with co-workers, neighbors and family. My dad gives the environment attention and care by helping with outside chores and the maintenance of our home. 

I have vivid memories of walking to the Diamond Hill Jarvis Library with my grandma and sister and letting my imagination run wild as I was surrounded by books. Afterward, on hot summer days, we walked across the street for snow cones. 

I have grown so fond of my hometown over the past few years, but nothing compares to the love I have for my neighborhood and its people.

Some of my fondest childhood memories are at a spot called the Long Bazaar. At this establishment, you will find vendors of various backgrounds selling a wonderful medley of apparel, jewelry, food, technology, metaphysical tools, furniture and everything in between. 

My favorite vendor at the bazaar has always been the fruteria and ice cream parlor. All of the flavors of ice cream and fruit cup options have been the same my whole life. Each time we stop, it’s like I fall in love with the treat like it’s my first time there. 

The weekends are just more fun when you get to hear people singing karaoke at the bar while little kids play arcade games and throw their quarters into the claw machines. 

Vendors at the bazaar have their own music and entertainment, and it’s part of the richness the place has to offer. I also appreciate how accessible this location makes finding handmade items from my homeland, such as talavera art, embroidered garments, colorful accessories, statues of Catholic saints and musical instruments. 

The Long Bazaar will always hold a very special place in my heart as it captures the essence of what I love most about where I am from: the culture.

Diamond Hill in Fort Worth

Total population: 5,298Male: 41% | Female: 59%

Age0-9: 22%10-19: 23%20-29: 12%30-39: 16%40-49: 9%50-59: 9%60-69: 5%70-79: 2%80 and older: 1%

EducationNo degree: 47%High school: 27%Some college: 22%Bachelor’s degree: 3%Post-graduate: 1%

RaceWhite: 5% | Black: 3% | Hispanic: 89% | Asian: 3% | Two or more: 1%

Click on the link to view the schools’ Texas Education Agency ratings:

Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School

Meacham Middle School 

Diamond Hill Elementary

McRae Elementary

M.H. Moore Elementary

Cesar Chavez Primary

Detent Center

Elder Middle School

Kirkpatrick Middle School

Riverside Middle School

Manuel Jara Elementary

Kirkpatrick Elementary

Oakhurst Elementary

Springdale Elementary

Washington Heights Elementary

Bonnie Brae

Tarrant Co JJAEP

West Birdville Elementary

Carter-Riverside High School

North Side High School

Texas Academy of Biomedical

Rufino Mendoza Sr Elementary

Charles Nash Elementary

Natha Howell Elementary

Sam Rosen Elementary

Riverside Applied Learning Center

Dolores Huerta Elementary

Genesis Hernandez, 23, is from Fort Worth and is a lifelong resident of Diamond Hill. Hernandez received a bachelor’s degree in 2023 from the University of North Texas, studying Latino/a and Mexican-American studies.