With more than 3.9 million, Texas is home to more Black residents than any other state. Yes, Texas is the second-most populous state in the U.S., but California has the most multiracial Black residents and New York has the most Hispanic Black residents. The Lone Star State is home to the most non-Hispanic, single-race Black residents.

The single biggest reason? Slavery. But there's nuance to the answer too.

Deborah Liles, the W.K. Gordon Chair of Texas history at Tarleton State University, explains what may have kept some Black residents in Texas after the Civil War, and Amber Sims, the executive director of the nonprofit Young Leaders, Strong City, details the progress that's been made and the steps we still need to take.