Black History Program Will Honor President of the MLK Jr. Memorial Fund

HOUSTON – Houston City Controller Ronald Green and Houston City Council Member Larry Green will host a press conference and reception saluting Black History Month and Harry Johnson, president of the Martin Luther King Jr., Memorial Fund.

 The event schedule is:

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            1:30 p.m., Remarks by Controller Green and others;

            2:00 p.m., Proclamation presentation, City Council Chamber;

            2:30 p.m., Reception, Controller's Conference Room, 8th floor, City Hall.

Mr. Johnson–a native Houstonian–led the fundraising drive to underwrite the statue of Rev. King that was unveiled in Washington D.C. November 2011.

"We are thrilled to have Harry Johnson in attendance at our event," says Controller Ronald Green. "He will also be at the City Council meeting that day to receive a proclamation in his honor for a lifetime of good work and his recent success with the Rev. King statue in Washington."

Also at the event will be a photo display of significant events in Houston's African-American community's history, a complimentary commemorative photo and a Black History Month Quiz available for students of all ages.

The History of Black History Month

Almost a century ago, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a Kentucky-born, Harvard educated historian spoke of the lack of attention paid to Black Americans, and in 1926 began a series of lectures, symposiums and exhibitions in order to arouse interest for the little known Negro History Week in February. Dr. Woodson's campaign was successful, and before long mayors and governors were issuing proclamations honoring Negro History Week.