Houston parade makes MLK Day history

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The Black Heritage Society has made history in Houston, all thanks to its long-standing leader, Ovide Duncantell.

"We had the first parade in the nation honoring Dr. Martin Luther King," said Ovide Duncantell of the Black Heritage Society.

Not only was in the first MLK parade in the country, but making even more special, Dr. Martin Luther King Sr. was the grand marshal.

"You think today was cold; it was freezing. People waited three hours to see Dr. King come down the street," said Duncantell.

That was in 1978, Mayor Sylvester Turner remembers the day.

"I was a Coog then. I was at the University of Houston and a Coog at heart today. Look, we've come a long way," said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.

Sylvester Turner is the city's second black mayor and comes from a humble background.

"I grew up in one of those communities that I would say was low to middle income and I'm the mayor of the city of Houston, elected by the people of the city of Houston. So look, dreams still can come true," said Turner.

It's those dreams, Duncantell says, Dr. King helped make possible.

Duncantell made a promise 38 years ago, to Martin Luther King, Sr. and he plans to keep that promise for years to come.

"We promised him that we would have a parade for his son in this city every year after. I've tried to keep my word. I'm 79 years old and I haven't stopped yet," said Duncantell.