At the heart of our mission, Black Heritage Society Inc., doing business as Martin Luther King Jr. Parade Foundation Inc., is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to hosting events that honor our heritage and invite people across all ethnicities to celebrate our uniqueness together. We are committed to uplifting underserved communities and creating a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Through our programs and initiatives, we strive to make a lasting, positive impact, helping those who face life’s greatest challenges by offering community events such as parades, festivals, podcasts, storytelling, and history programs.
Each year, we come together to honor leaders who have followed in the footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—individuals who have championed justice, led with compassion, and worked tirelessly to improve the world. As we continue to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King, we strive to inspire others to embrace his teachings and apply them in everyday living, fostering coexistence and working toward a better world for everyone. We hosted our first Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade in 1978, coinciding with the inaugural street naming after Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Daddy King, a member of the King family, commissioned the late Ovide Duncantell Jr. and the Black Heritage Society to carry on his son's legacy. We continue to hold an IPM and relationship with the King Family. People from all backgrounds join the Original MLK Parade to celebrate and embrace our diversity.
The Black Heritag Society Inc is thrilled to announce our joint initiative to unite the two parades at a single location in downtown Houston. In honor of Late Ovide Duncantell Jr, we are dedicated to leading the parade and embracing the sacrifices needed as we move forward into the next chapter of our story.
This moment is significant a we navigate a world that often lacks sacrificial love, meaningful conversations, truth-telling, and healing. While African Americans have consistently shown their capacity for sacrifice, it is also crucial to celebrate our uniqueness and promote solidarity as we embody sacrificial love. By sharing our story, we aim to cultivate mutual respect and understanding, fostering a spirit of love for all people while promoting justice, freedom, and inclusion. Let's continue to march forward together. As our late civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, said, "We must learn to live together as brothers, or perish together as fools." Join us in the unified Unity MLK Parade on January 19, 2026, in Downtown Houson, at San Jacinto Street and Jefferson street. We invivite all of Houson and the USA!
Our signature event, like the Original MLK Jr. Parade (BHS), brings our community together to celebrate unity, progress, and the spirit of Dr. King’s vision. But it doesn’t stop there—we also provide important advocacy programs, such as the "Why We Vote" campaign, elevating civil rights learning, and storytelling, and offering a platform to honor and share Black History.
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