On Monday, January 19, at 10 a.m., Houston will witness a historic event as the two previously separate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day parades, the Black Heritage Society and the MLK Grande Parade, unite for the first time in a celebration of unity and honor for Dr. King.
The MLK Day Unity Parade promises to be a significant occasion, featuring prominent Grand Marshals, including Mayor John Whitmire, rapper Mad Hatta, known for his role as a former host on the Madd Hatta Morning Show, and Charles Stamps, the Chairman and CEO of the MLK Grande Parade Foundation.
The parade will commence near Houston City Hall, beginning at the intersection of Lamar Street and Smith Street and concluding at Dallas Street and Smith Street.
In preparation for the event, several road closures will be in effect to ensure the safety and smooth flow of the parade. These closures include:
- McKinney Street between Bagby and Smith from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Walker Street between Bagby and Smith from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Smith Street between Rusk and Dallas from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- McKinney Street north and south curb lanes between Smith and Louisiana from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Brazos Street’s two center lanes between Dallas and Lamar from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (East and West curb lanes will remain open).
- Lamar Street’s two south curb lanes between Smith and Bagby from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Traffic from Highway 45 Off Ramp will be redirected at the corner of Sabine and Allen Parkway from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Allen Parkway (inbound/outbound) between Shepherd and Smith from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Bagby Street (northbound) between Dallas and McKinney from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Bagby Street (southbound) between Walker and Clay from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Lamar Street between Louisiana and outbound Allen Parkway at the I-45 overpass from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Gillette Street will be closed midblock, from the area north of The Federal Reserve Bank to Allen Parkway from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This collaborative event is set to mark a new chapter in the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Houston, inviting the community to come together in remembrance and celebration.
