Honoring Black Heritage & Unity

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a cherished federal holiday that honors the progress made toward equality, justice, and inclusion. The Black Heritage Society Inc., which organized the Original MLK Jr. Day Parade in 1978, is excited to announce the Pre-Jubilee Celebration. We will host the MLK Parade for the 50th time in January 2028! 

Hear our Late Executive Director and Founder, Ovide Duncantell Jr.- Voice of Helen Lewis Johnson: https://youtu.be/q02a9jNse3k?si=qQwdg1yzqA8S5rQ6.

https://youtu.be/kuEb0ItcrQc?si=axPnyDjNc1Vyk7Yv

Since 1974, for over 50 years, we have been the bridge between history and hope, preserving Black heritage, promoting peace and nonviolence, and creating a stronger Houston for generations to come. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. attributed, "At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love. His strategic approach to fighting systemic racial oppression was rooted in love and unity.

In honor of the late Ovide Duncantell Jr., the Black Heritage Society Inc. is leading the MLK Unity Parade, embracing the sacrifices needed as it enters the next chapter of its journey. Back in 1978, the first Grand Marshal, Martin Luther King Sr., known as Daddy King, commissioned the Black Heritage Society Inc., and Ovide Duncantell Jr. received the IPM to carry on his son’s legacy. Today, Rev. Dr. Derek King continues that tradition as a proud member of the King family.

Charles Stamps parted ways with Ovide Duncantell Jr. in 1996 and started his own event after working with him for a short time. By 2006, Ovide Duncantell had won a legal case against Charles Stamps and the MLK Grande Parade, but Black Heritage Society Inc. never received the payment the judge ordered. The Black Heritage Society Inc. believes unity is essential and that hate is a heavy burden, especially in today’s world.  

While the parades are not merged, hosting them together helps conserve city resources, ensure safety, and lift community morale. Black Heritage Society embraces sacrificial love for a higher purpose.  Out of this love for the community, we have agreed to hold two parades in one location for everyone to enjoy.

Gratitude and pride radiated from downtown Houston as people of all ethnicities came together to honor our champion leader, the late Dr. Martin L. King Jr., a symbol of inclusion, justice, equality, and freedom for all. An estimated 100,000 or more attendees witnessed this historic event in person and across media platforms in January 2026. Each participating parade proudly showcased its own Grand Marshal and distinctive entries, facilitated by the City of Houston.

From the President: Teresa Brewer, Black Heritage Society Inc. Board Members, we are proud to present this historic parade and our other annual activities. With the utmost respect to the King Family (permission received from the King Family) and our beloved City of Houston, we acknowledge that sometimes things don’t work out as many think, but we don’t stay down—we get back up. It is with great honor that the Black Heritage Society Inc. presents our flagship program, the BHS C.O.P.E. Initiative, with Rev. Dr. Derek King facilitating the Non-Violence Experience! In a world filled with so much hate, we work alongside you to continue building on the teachings of Dr. Martin L. King Jr.: “At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love.”

We are honored to host the upcoming MLK Unity Parade in Downtown Houston on January 18, 2027. 

Thank you for visiting our website and learning more about our cause.  

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terms and conditions. Please complete step one, then step two for the donation and fee by clicking on the tab above. For more information, call 281-405-0006.