First Panel Placed at Fort Bend African-American Heritage Monument, Honoring Local History in Kendleton
A powerful chapter in Fort Bend County’s ongoing journey to honor African-American heritage was written this week as the first panel was officially placed at the African-American Heritage Monument and Park in Kendleton. The milestone was celebrated by local leaders, including Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Fort Bend County Precinct 4 Commissioner Dexter L. McCoy, whose joint presence marked the moment with shared reverence and vision.
“This project is a tribute to the legacies and heroes who shaped our communities,” said Commissioner Ellis' office in a statement. “Commissioner Ellis was honored to join Fort Bend County Commissioner Dexter McCoy in Kendleton to witness a historic moment: the first panel placement at the African American Heritage Monument and Park in Fort Bend County. He was proud to assist in honoring Fort Bend’s rich African American history.”
The monument, currently under construction at Bates M. Allen Park, stands just beyond the historic freedmen’s town of Kendleton—a community founded by formerly enslaved families who purchased land and built lives on their own terms. This site, woven into the broader story of Black resilience in Texas, has long awaited recognition that matches its historical significance.
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A Living Tribute Rising from Hallowed Ground
Expected to be completed by Fall 2025, the $10 million African-American Memorial project—launched with an initial $4 million investment—incorporates the sacred grounds of Newman Chapel Cemetery and Oak Hill Cemetery, where generations of African-American families—many of whom descended from formerly enslaved people—are laid to rest. Among them is Benjamin Franklin Williams, a formerly enslaved man who became the first Black legislator in Texas.
The final design spans four acres and will include:
- Two museums
- Wetlands and preserved natural areas
- Walking trails
- Reflection spaces
- Educational installations
All of these elements are being built with the intent to provide both a solemn place of remembrance and an engaging space for community gathering and learning.
Commissioner Dexter L. McCoy, whose leadership has propelled the project forward, previously shared, “This Memorial will commemorate the Black experience, not only in Fort Bend County, but in Texas and beyond. It will be reflective of stories from Kendleton all the way to Congress.”
Fort Bend County Commissioner Dexter McCoy and Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis speak with construction crews Community Legacy, Community Investment
The Memorial is funded through voter-approved Fort Bend County parks bonds and has received bipartisan support across local leadership. Initial construction officially broke ground in August 2024, following a weather delay that postponed the original Juneteenth ceremony.
That rescheduled groundbreaking event featured community performances, a presentation of Expose Excellence's spoken word competition, and powerful reflections from those tied to the project’s roots.
Commissioner McCoy, recognized as the youngest elected official in Fort Bend County, emphasized from the beginning that the Memorial would not only preserve history but give overdue visibility to those whose stories were nearly lost. “We are committed to honoring those buried here, including those whose tombstones have been erased by time and neglect,” he said during his February 2024 funding announcement.
Why Kendleton Matters
The city of Kendleton, where this Memorial now takes shape, holds a rare distinction in Texas history. It was founded by six formerly enslaved families who purchased land from a plantation owner after emancipation—making it one of the earliest self-governed Black communities in the state.
By anchoring the Memorial in Kendleton, Fort Bend County is placing historical authenticity at the heart of this project, ensuring visitors understand not just the hardship of the African-American experience, but also the self-determination and triumph that followed.
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What’s Next
With the first panel now in place, construction momentum is building. Crews will continue work through 2025, with a target completion date in September or October 2025. Once finished, the site is expected to draw both local residents and visitors from across Texas, serving as a hub for remembrance, education, and healing.
The African-American Heritage Monument and Park will stand not just as a tribute to those who came before—but as a promise to future generations that their history will be honored, preserved, and told with the dignity it deserves.
For continuing updates on this and other Fort Bend County community projects, stay tuned to My Neighborhood News.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
