Honoring Black Heritage & Unity

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, 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 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.

Teresa Brewer, a native of Houston and graduate of Prairie View A&M University, spent 25 years working as an RN before deciding to pursue a new path. She founded Teresa Brewer & Associates Insurance Solutions LLC, serving Houston and the surrounding areas as a one-stop shop for all insurance needs. In 2012, she became involved with the Black Heritage Society Inc., managing fiscal responsibilities through HCEC, a 501(c)(3) organization she led. She later served as Vice President before being elected President of the Black Heritage Society in 2021. Since 2010, she has organized various community service events, including Community Health Fairs, Networking Meetings, Community Cafés, and Sewing Workshops. She considers it an honor and believes God has guided her in hosting these events. 

As a Board member of the Black Heritage Society Inc., Teresa Brewer values the importance of history and the achievements of Black individuals in the Houston, Texas area. With a personal background shaped by her father, an entrepreneur, and her mother, a seamstress, Teresa graduated from Prairie View A&M University and became a registered nurse with a passion for helping others. Over the years, she has organized community health fairs, workshops, business networking meetings, and even founded a medical supply business before transitioning to a career as an insurance broker. She is honored to lead the Black Heritage Society Inc. toward new heights, enriching the community through the artifacts of the late founder and executive director Ovide Duncantells Jr., the Reading Room of History, and the Black Authors Book collection for adults and children. The organization also offers a podcast to share its proud history, including being the first to honor the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with an MLK Jr. Day Parade and a street naming, with his father, Martin L. King Sr., serving as the inaugural Grand Marshal.