In 2019, the Floral Farms neighborhood in South Dallas woke up to a crisis: a 30-foot mountain of toxic shingles had been illegally dumped directly next to their homes.

Floral Farms is a predominantly Black community — a community that had already endured decades of racist zoning practices that pushed industrial facilities, salvage yards, and waste sites into their neighborhood while wealthier, whiter areas of Dallas remained protected. Shingle Mountain was not an accident. It was the latest chapter in a long history of environmental injustice.

The mountain grew to over 200,000 tons of construction debris. Residents reported breathing difficulties, eye irritation, and constant fear for their children’s health. Government agencies moved slowly. Promises went unfulfilled.

So the community organized. Led by Dr. Marsha Jackson — a resident of Floral Farms — neighbors joined forces, filed complaints, rallied allies, engaged media, and took their fight all the way to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the City of Dallas, and beyond.

After three years of relentless organizing, legal battles, and international media attention, Shingle Mountain was removed. All 200,000+ tons. It was a landmark victory — proof that frontline communities, when organized and supported, can move mountains. Literally.

Out of that fight, Southern Sector Rising was born. What began as a neighborhood emergency response became a full-fledged environmental and social justice organization, rooted in South Dallas and reaching across the globe.