MLK Unity Parade
After 48 years, the Original MLK Parade will join as a single, unified event in January 2026. The Black Heritage Society, Inc. is thrilled to announce our joint initiative to unite the two parades, the Original MLK Jr. Parade and the MLK Grande Parade, at a single location in downtown Houston. In honor of the 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 deeply significant as we navigate a world often lacking in genuine love, meaningful conversations, honesty, and healing. Previous efforts to merge the two parades were unsuccessful, but this year has brought about a development under the leadership of the City of Houston Mayor John Whitmire. Recognizing the divisive climate, a plan for unification was successfully negotiated. Teresa, president of the Black Society, acknowledged the history between the late founder, Ovide Duncantell Jr., and a former employee, which resulted in a judgment against Mr. Charlie Stamps. While African Americans have consistently demonstrated their capacity for it, it is equally important to celebrate our uniqueness and foster solidarity as we embody sacrificial love. By sharing our story, we aim to cultivate mutual respect and understanding, promoting a spirit of love for all people while advocating for justice, freedom, and inclusion for everyone.
Our theme for 2026: Life can present challenges, but a world filled with justice, compassion, freedom, and unity creates an atmosphere of Hope for all people!
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 as fools." Join us in the unified Unity MLK Parade on January 19, 2026, at 10 am in Downtown Houston at San Jacinto Street and Jefferson Street. We invite all of Houston and the USA!
Welcome to Black Heritage Society
At the heart of our mission, Black Heritage Society Inc., doing business as Martin Luther King Jr. Parade Foundation Inc., is a 5(c)(3) organization dedicated to hosting events that honor our heritage and invite people from 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 and major thoroughfare street naming on January 21, 1978, and Daddy King, Sr, commissioned the late Ovide Duncantell Jr. and Black Heritage Society to carry on his son's legacy. We continue to hold an IPM and a relationship with the King Family.
Black Heritage Society Inc. is the producer of Original MLK Jr -- now leading MLK Unity Parade 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, Elevating Civil Rights Learning, storytelling, Black History, BHS Podcast, and other offerings on our platform.
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"To fight for equal rights and justice for all!"
The Black Heritage Society advocates for equal rights, justice, and empowerment for underserved communities, particularly African Americans. The Black Heritage Society Inc., founded in 1974, organized the first MLK Jr. Parade and named the major thoroughfare from South Park Boulevard to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on January 21, 1978, to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the United States of America. We are best known for organizing the original MLK Jr. Holiday Parade and events that honor Dr. King’s legacy. Through education, celebration, and advocacy, we aim to enrich lives, promote health, and build a network of opportunity for the future.
Join us in our mission to perpetuate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's dream and legacy by continuing to fight for freedom, justice, and equality for all. We are the producers of the Original MLK Jr Day Parade. As we inspire, promote, and honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the federal holiday on the third Monday of January and throughout the year, with commemorative parades and celebratory community activities, we advocate for equal rights for all people. The organization subscribes to Activism, Advocacy, and Action for the underprivileged, underserved, and those seeking justice and equality.
People honor and reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and continue his fight for justice and equal treatment. These marches serve as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for fairness and equality. Your support helps us continue to inspire and uplift communities. By supporting the Black Heritage Society Inc., you enable children, youth, and adults to witness historical events and participate. In them People come from all over the world to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's life and legacy. Become a BHS Community Supporter by clicking below:
Ovide Duncantell Jr. was born in Natchitoches, Louisiana. After graduating from high school in 1955, he joined the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1959. He married a local girl named Naomi and moved to Los Angeles. However, he stopped in Houston to visit his new wife's brothers and ended up making Houston his perma
Ovide Duncantell Jr. was born in Natchitoches, Louisiana. After graduating from high school in 1955, he joined the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1959. He married a local girl named Naomi and moved to Los Angeles. However, he stopped in Houston to visit his new wife's brothers and ended up making Houston his permanent home. In 1969, he began working for the Anti-Poverty Program at the Houston Community Action Association. Later, he established his own organization called "The Central Committee for the Protection of Poor People."
In 1974, Ovide Duncantell Jr. founded and became the Executive Director of the Black Heritage Society Inc., emerging as one of the driving forces behind the renaming of a major thoroughfare to Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. The street ran through a predominantly African American neighborhood. Duncan's zeal, persistence, and enthusiasm led to the community's mobilization in favor of Renaming South Park Boulevard to Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.
The Reverend Martin Luther King Sr., affectionately known as "Daddy King," was deeply moved by the Black Heritage Society's passionate tribute to his late son. In recognition of this, he attended the street name change ceremony and served as the first Grand Marshal of the MLK Parade organized by the society on January 21, 1978. This event marked both the inaugural MLK Parade and the first street naming commissioned by a member of the King family to carrier on his son's legacy. A City-Wide Parade christened the street down the newly named boulevard. Making a pact and promise to Dr. King's father, "Daddy King, the first Grand Marshal. Duncantell Jr. and the BHS have since conducted the annual Original MLK Parade.
In 1983, an Oak Tree was planted to stand in place of the MLK statue. Rev. Derek King attended the dedication of the tree. The Oak Tree was planted in honor of Martin Luther King Jr on the esplanade near the intersection of Martin Luther King Blvd and Old Spanish Trail. The tree stood proudly for over 30 years until Houston's Metro threatened to destroy it because it was in the way of a Metro light rail expansion project. On May 1, 2012, at the age of 75, Duncantell Jr. chained himself to the MLK Tree of Life to stand in the way of the construction of Metro's new Southeast light rail line. He stayed tied to the tree for over 12 hours and did not eat anything, but drank water and juice. Metro eventually agreed not to destroy the tree under conditions to help build an MLK Memorial Plaza in MacGregor Park.
On May 24, 2014 at 9 am the unveiling of a new statue of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Martin Luther King III, and nephew Derek King, King family members present for the event. Attorney Ben Hall, 2013 Mayoral Candidate, and his wife, Mrs. Saundra Hall, donate $64,000.The Black Heritage Society Inc. donated the statue, worth an estimated $120,000, to Houston's public art collection. Metro's contribution is around $750,000. Our history, Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy, Houston parade-- MLK Parade Foundation 501c3
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The Black Heritage Society, Inc. is a self-help, non-profit organization chartered by the State of Texas. In the summer of 1975, one man's concern for the well-being and betterment of the entire human race led to the establishment of the organization. In January 1978, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s father, Martin Luther "Daddy" King,
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The Black Heritage Society, Inc. is a self-help, non-profit organization chartered by the State of Texas. In the summer of 1975, one man's concern for the well-being and betterment of the entire human race led to the establishment of the organization. In January 1978, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s father, Martin Luther "Daddy" King, Sr., addressed the Houston community. He commissioned Mr. Ovide Duncantell Jrlegacy during. In 1986, Jr. and the Black Heritage Society conducted our nation's first annual parade in honor of Revered Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Years later, the Society continues to pursue the vision of Dr. King's Dream. The Society organizes an annual parade in his honor, aiming to foster pride and commitment among Black youth, enabling them to become productive and responsible citizens. The BHS is genuinely dedicated to the cultural, educational, social, and economic advancement of Black America, in line with Dr. King's aspirations. Notably, the late Founder Ovide Duncantell Jr. led the first MLK Jr. Day Parade and was instrumental in the street naming that honors Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the United States.
The organization aims to inspire, promote, and honor tr. Martin Luther King, Jr's legacy during the federal holiday weekend, which occurs on the third Monday of each January, The weekend includes a commemorative parade and celebratory festive community activities.
With a long history of fighting for equal justice and social accommodations for the rights of all, the organization subscribes to Activism, Advocacy, and Action on behalf of the underprivileged, underserved, and those seeking justice and equality. The Black Heritage Society maintains an official IPM license from The King Center in Atlanta, GA.
Black Heritage Society Inc. understands that low-income, disadvantaged, underserved, and marginalized communities continue to exist because of miscommunication, lack of communication, and wrong choices are som, which of the problems. Black Heritage wants to maintain the integrity of our history, current issues, informative conversation, and resources to make the world a better place for all.
Willard John Vital, LMSW, stood with his friend, the late Ovide Duncatell Jr, Founder and Executive Director, and other professionals amidst many challenges to launch the Black Heritage Society organization 47 years ago, which started the national movement for renaming streets after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and galvanizing support of a
Willard John Vital, LMSW, stood with his friend, the late Ovide Duncatell Jr, Founder and Executive Director, and other professionals amidst many challenges to launch the Black Heritage Society organization 47 years ago, which started the national movement for renaming streets after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and galvanizing support of a national MLK Holiday. Along with other passionate stewards of justice and civil rights, Willard Vital was able to perpetuate Dr. King's dream and legacy. His deeply inspirational and innovative leadership established the foundation the Black Heritage Society continues to follow and build.
The City of Houston is dedicated to remembering individuals who have enriched the Houston community with their many accomplishments. Therefore, Sylvester Turner, Mayor of the City of Houston, proclaimed that March 24, 2021, will be recognized as "Willard John Vital Day" in the City of Houston in honor of the late BHS Founding Board President and Human Rights Activist.
We earned a 2025 Gold Seal of Transparency! Learn more about our organization’s impact through our #NonprofitProfile on @CandidDotOrg: