Houston: "A Celebration of Unity." Mayor Whitmire and Faith Leaders Announce 2026 MLK Day Parade Plans

November 13, 2025 ~ Houston, TX - In a historic move, Mayor John Whitmire has announced that the city will hold one Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade next year, uniting the two legacy parades that have been held separately for decades. The decision was made after lengthy and positive discussions between Mayor Whitmire's administration and the leaders of the Black Heritage Society and the MLK Grande Parade.

The newly named MLK Unity Parade will take place on Monday, January 19, 2026 at 10 a.m. According to organizers, this parade will serve as a powerful message of peace, purpose, and progress in honor of Dr. King's life and legacy.

"This will be a historic day for the City of Houston," said Mayor Whitmire. "I have always strived to unite our city and this celebration of unity in January will be a perfect opportunity to honor Dr. King's legacy and greatness. I cannot think of a better way to acknowledge his contributions than by hosting the best parade ever."

The grand marshals for the Unity Parade have been selected by each participating organization. They include radio personality Madd Hatter, MLK Grande Parade President Charles Stamps, and Houston Mayor John Whitmire himself as a show of appreciation for his leadership in bringing the two organizations together.

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At the announcement event, Mayor Whitmire was joined by local faith and community leaders such as at-large Council Member Willie Davis, Teresa Brewer of the Black Heritage Society, Madd Hatta from Radio One, Charles Stamps of the MLK Grande Parade, METRO board member Leon Preston, Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz, and Houston Fire Chief Thomas Munoz.

"We are proud that for the first time in over 30 years, there will be one unified parade in downtown Houston," said Brewer. "As we embrace our shared history, we must remember Dr. King's words: 'We must learn to live together as brothers or perish as fools.'"

Stamps also expressed his excitement for the unity parade, stating, "We are embracing Dr. King's dream by honoring our shared humanity and standing united."

The MLK Unity Parade will begin on San Jacinto Street downtown and feature a spectacular lineup of college and high school marching bands, floats, community groups, cultural organizations, and faith-based leaders.

In partnership with METRO, complimentary rides will be offered to the parade. METRO's three rail lines will take attendees directly to the heart of downtown and the parade route. Additionally, many local bus routes connect directly to the downtown area. Riders can plan their trip using the RideMETRO app or RideMETRO.org.

The MLK Unity Parade is free and open to the public. For more information, please visit MLK Day Unity Parade 2026. This historic event is sure to bring together the community in a celebration of unity and honor Dr. King's legacy in a powerful way.

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