The details
Whitmire announced an agreement between the Black Heritage Society and MLK Grande Parade, two organizations that have hosted separate parades for MLK Day in the past.
“I knew it could be done, and I knew it had to be done for safety, for cost, and most importantly, to properly honor Dr. King,” Whitmire said. “For 32 years, many have tried and been told it couldn’t happen. But two proud organizations came together, and we made it happen.”
The announcement follows weeks of discussions led by members of the mayor’s team, alongside At-Large Council member Willie Davis, Black Heritage Society President Teresa Brewer and MLK Grande Parade Chairman Charles Stamp.
“I ran to unite this city,” Whitmire said. “And this is one of the clearest examples of what that looks like.”
The event is scheduled for January 19, 2026. More details are anticipated to be shared in the coming weeks, according to a June 10 news release.
"This moment is significant as we navigate a world that often lacks sacrificial love, meaningful conversations, truth-telling, and healing," Brewer said in an email to Community Impact. "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 stories, we aim to cultivate mutual respect and understanding, fostering a spirit of love for all people while promoting justice, freedom, and inclusion"
The background
The Black Heritage Society was founded in 1974 and organized the first MLK Jr. parade in the nation in 1978, according to the organization’s website. The organization has traditionally hosted parades in Downtown Houston.
On the other hand, MLK Grande Parade first held their MLK parade in 1994 and typically hosts their annual parades in Midtown, according to the organization’s website.
The city has made previous efforts over the years to unify the two parades. Former Mayor Sylvester Turner said in a January 2019 news conference that despite his efforts to unify the two parades, he ultimately decided for the city to “put an official seal” behind the Black Heritage Society’s parade.
