The impact of Martin Luther King, Jr. on Montgomery County

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Today, as we celebrate, commemorate, reflect upon, and honor the life and death of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it can be easy for some – especially in the younger generation far removed from the days of segregation and separate water fountains – to forget (or never have learned) about the man and his impact on our area.

King’s direct impact on Montgomery County wasn’t through leading local boycotts like the Montgomery Bus Boycott (a different Montgomery, the one in Alabama). In essence, his impact on the immediate area is less about direct, large-scale protests led by him and more about how his national movement for equality fostered local, enduring efforts to achieve his dream within the community.

Statewide, his presence was defined by pivotal personal visits that challenged local segregation, visiting major cities on several high-profile occasions. His first speech in Dallas took place in 1956 at Good Street Baptist Church; he followed up visits to the Big D in 1963 at Fair Park's Music Hall during a poll tax rally and in 1966 at SMU’s McFarlin Auditorium, where he addressed a crowd of 2,400 on themes of peace and unity. In 1959 he spoke at Forth Worth’s Majestic Theater, marking the first time the venue was integrated. In Austin in 1962, he spoke at the University of Texas.

With his philosophy of nonviolence firmly in place, he also visited the Houston area five times between 1960 and 1967. His first visit famously motivated student protests at Texas Southern University, while his last, six months before his assassination, took place at the Sam Houston Coliseum for a benefit concert with Harry Belafonte and Aretha Franklin.

King’s leadership directly resulted in federal laws that dismantled the Jim Crow system in Texas, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with legislation ended legal segregation in Texas public facilities and lunch counters; the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that provided federal protections against voter suppression, fundamentally changing the political landscape for Black and Latino voters in Texas; and the Fair Housing Act of 1968, passed just days after his assassination, which prohibited discrimination in the sale or rental of housing across the Lone Star State.

Sixty years later, we celebrate and commemorate his legacy locally with events such as the NLK Day Community Celebration hosted by The Woodlands Methodist Church and Impact Church, taking place Monday at 4:00 p.m. At this event, attendees can enjoy performances and guest speakers who highlight the importance of service and inclusion. This year's celebration includes the presentation of the 2025 Drum Major Award; the MLK Scholarship Recognition; Presentation of Colors by The Oak Ridge HS Color Guard; and guest speaker Jason Skaer, Chief Strategic Officer at The Church Project in The Woodlands. There will also be performances by the MLK Children Mass Choir, Resound – Special Needs Ministry Choir, and the MLK Adult Mass Choir.

The Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center will also be hosting a Day of Service from 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon for litter cleanup, invasive species removal, and planting native seeds. This event is open to ages 10 and above. Additionally, Village Books will be offering a drop-in activity from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. to decorate and fill breakfast bags for Meals on Wheels Montgomery County, with all supplies provided.