02/26/2026
Before we conclude Black History Month, the One For All Foundation wants to remind you that Black history did not happen somewhere else. It happened here.
On the streets of Sunnyside.
In the Fifth Ward.
In Kashmere Gardens.
It was shaped by people who refused to accept limits placed on their communities and instead chose service, courage, and responsibility.
This month, we honor some of the leaders who have helped shape Houston’s story:
Barbara Jordan – A Fifth Ward native whose voice for integrity and justice resonated far beyond Texas.
El Franco Lee – A steadfast advocate who spent decades strengthening Harris County neighborhoods.
Marcelite Jordan Harris – Raised in Kashmere Gardens, she broke barriers in the U.S. Air Force, proving leadership knows no ceiling.
Mickey Leland – A Fifth Ward representative whose commitment to fighting hunger and serving humanity reached across the globe.
And we recognize leaders like Rodney Ellis, whose continued public service reflects the ongoing work of building equity and opportunity across Harris County.
These leaders did not shape history alone.
They stood alongside countless educators, parents, pastors, organizers, entrepreneurs, and neighbors who believed their communities deserved more.
Black History Month is a tribute to the visible and the unseen.
The celebrated and the quiet contributors.
The past and the present.
At Harris County One for All Foundation, we honor that legacy not just in words, but in action, by strengthening communities, expanding access, investing in opportunity, and walking forward together.
Because history is not only something we remember.
It is something we continue to build.
