HOUSTON – Forty years ago, Ovide Duncantell founded the Black Heritage Society for the purpose of fighting battles for those not able to do so. Thirty years ago, the City of Houston approved a monument to Martin Luther King Jr. It's taken 30 years, but that monument will finally be unveiled the weekend of April 4-6 in MacGregor Park.
Ovide Duncantell was a driving force to help make it happen and as a guest on this week's "Houston Newsmakers" with Khambrel Marshall, he talks about what he wants people to remember as they visit.
"We want them to remember Dr. King's legacy," he said. "We want little children from now to two thousand years from now to look at that monument and the stones that are out there. We have Dr. King's life chronology planted in stone."
Professor Don Van Nieuwenhuise is the Director of the University of Houston Petroleum & Geosciences program at the University of Houston. Dr. Van Nieuwenhuise tells Khambrel the unrest in the Ukraine/Russian region bears close watching because of the importance of Russia in oil production.
"Russia actually produces and exports about 10 percent of the oil that's used per day in the total world," he said. "As the situation becomes more volatile any disruption could cause major problems for the U.S.and especially its allies."
The Shell Houston Open golf tournament week starts March 31 at the newly named Golf Club of Houston. Steve Timms is the President and CEO of the Houston Golf Association and says the tournament is only possible because of the thousands of volunteers who give their time to support. The winner of the event will win more than $1,500,000, but since 1994 more than 200 charitable organizations have received more than $20 million.
Great conversation and information on this week's Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall. Watch it Sunday at 10 a.m. right after "Meet the Press" with David Gregory.
More Information:
•Ovide Duncantell, Founder-President Black Heritage Society, 713-651-9900 , www.blackheritagesociety.org
•Don Van Nieuwenhuise , Director Professional Geosciences Programs, 713-743-3399, www.geosc.uh.edu
•Steve Timms, President & CEO Houston Golf Association, 281-454-7000 www.HGA.org