Showing posts with label Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration Foundation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration Foundation. Show all posts

Friday, May 16, 2014

UPCOMING EVENTS: Join Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen, The Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration Foundation in Celebrating the 2014 Juneteenth Holiday from June 12-21, 2014


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Don’t Forget to Attend the 2014 Juneteeth Celebration Foundation’s Events

The Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration Foundation (MCJCF), a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization now in its 12th year, recently announced this year’s week-long line-up of Texas-Sized family related Juneteenth events and activities.

The foundation, the largest of its kind in the nation, has planned a series of community events and activities from June 12-21, most of which are free and open to the general public. Thousands of attendees and participants are again expected to join in the citywide celebration of Juneteenth in Missouri City.

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19 that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free.

The foundation’s planned events and activities are set to occur beginning June 16 through the 21, with most events free and open to the general public. Thousands of attendees and participants are again expected to join in the citywide celebration of Juneteenth in Missouri City.

VIP Kick-Off Reception

Missouri city will hold the invitation-only Juneteenth Kickoff Reception on June 12th from 6:30-9 p.m. in the Magnolia Ballroom at the City Centre at Quail Valley.

Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament

The annual MCJC scholarship Golf Tournament will begin at 8 a.m. on Monday, June 16 at the Quail Valley Golf Club. Participants will enjoy a day of golf, including prizes, awards and exciting and competitive fun. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. For more information call (281) 816-6441. The participation fee for this event is $100.

Annual Community Service Awards Gala

Join residents, stakeholders, supporters and staff in the Magnolia Ballroom at the City Centre at Quail Valley on Thursday, June 19th from 7-9:30 p.m. as area volunteers and leaders are recognized for their hard work and dedication to the Missouri City community. The participation fee for this event is $100.

2nd Annual Family Night Out

Family night out will take place at Hunters Glen Park at 4 p.m. on June 20. The free family event will include booths and activities set up by local organizations and City Staff. Families will enjoy the Jackie Robinson biopic “42” as this year’s free outdoor movie at dusk; the event will end at 10 p.m.

“Mile of Smiles” Parade

At 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, the Mile of Smiles parade will begin at Texas Parkway and Court Road and will end at Buffalo Run at Fondren. Area schools, bands, dance teams and Missouri City businesses will make their way through the city for a fun evening parade.

Battle of the Bands

The popular Battle of the Bands will immediately follow the parade at Thurgood Marshall High School in the Athletic Stadium.

For more information on the Juneteenth celebration and to find out how to volunteer or become more involved in this year’s exciting celebration, visit www.mcjcf.org or call 281.816.6441.

For information about future City events, please watch the City website: www.missouricitytx.gov, like us on Facebook—fb/MissouriCityTX, follow us on Twitter—@MissouriCityTX, and watch Missouri City Television (Ch. 16 on Comcast).
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SCENES FROM THE 2013 ANNUAL 
MCJCF SCHOLARSHIP GOLF TOURNAMENT 
AT QUAIL VALLEY

Not all of the Juneteenth action took place on stage. This fun and entertaining 18 holes of star-studded golf was open to all individuals and skill levels.These photos where taken at Quail Valley Golf Course.

Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 1
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 2
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 3
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 4
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 5
Pictured (from left) Frank Gracely, Steven Starzell, Anthony Francis and Mayor Allen Owen.
Pictured (from left) Frank Gracely, Steven Starzell, Anthony Francis and Mayor Allen Owen.
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 8 -- Mayor Allen Owen
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 9 -- Mayor Allen Owen
Mayor Allen Owen was seen here talking to former Houston Oilers Head Coach Ed Biles.
Pictured (from left) Councilman Don Smith, Larry Blackmon, Cary Yates, and Mayor Allen Owen.
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 12
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 13 -- Council Member Don Smith
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 14
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 15
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 16
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 17
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 18
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 19
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 20

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ABOUT MAYOR ALLEN OWEN

Mayor Owen has made his home in Missouri City for nearly 40 years, and is passionately proud of his city. “I love this city. I have dedicated my life as a committed husband, father, business leader and civic volunteer to making Missouri City the best city imaginable.”

After recently retiring from the banking industry, he has become increasingly involved in improving the quality of life in Missouri City. “For the last 2 years, we have worked hard with our City Council, the economic development team and the local business community to attract over $500,000,000 in new business, leading to hundreds of new jobs.”

According to Forbes Magazine, Missouri City continues to be one of the safest, most affordable, and best places to live in the country. And according to a recent Rice University study, Missouri City was named “…the most ethnically diverse city in the region.”

“I am particularly pleased by the continuing emphasis by our City Council on improving our public safety. We recently opened our first Mini-Police Station, and started construction of Fire Station Number 5. We approved pay increases for our Police and Fire Forces, and hired 5 new Motorcycle Police Officers.” And in spite of struggling economic conditions in other areas, “Missouri City home values have continued to rise but still remain one of the best buys in the region, because of its proximity to Houston and the Texas Medical Center.”

Mayor Owen serves on numerous boards, committees and volunteer organizations, all focused on making Missouri City and the surrounding area a great place to live, work, open a business and raise a family.

Owen and his wife of 45 years are members of First United Methodist Church. Mayor Owen graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University, and Southern Methodist University – Graduate School of Finance and Banking.

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Tuesday, June 18, 2013

A "2013 LEADERSHIP SERIES SALUTE" Goes out to former Texas State Representative Al Edwards for sponsoring House Bill 1016 that Made June 19th an Official Holiday in Texas

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THIS ISSUE OF YOUR THOUGHT MATTERS NEWSPAPER


SEND YOUR HIGHLIGHTS TO: yourthoughtmatters@gmail.com
In 1979, State Representative Al Edwards sponsored the bill that made June 19th an official  Texas State holiday beginning in 1980. 

A "2013 LEADERSHIP SERIES SALUTE" Goes out to former Texas State Rep. Al Edwards for sponsoring the bill that Made June 19th an Official Holiday in Texas


Aubrey R. Taylor 
Publisher of Your Thought Matters Newspaper

For some, the Juneteenth holiday is a day for African Americans to pay tribute to the announcement of the ending of slavery in Texas. But I see the holiday as much more than that. To me, Juneteenth represents a day of freedom and reflection for all people. As evidenced by the images you'll see as you scroll down this page, people from all ethnicities are part of the celebration we've come to know as Juneteenth.

Along with saluting former State Rep. Al Edwards, on behalf of Aubrey R. Taylor Communications, the publisher of Your Thought Matters Newspaper I would also like to thank Missouri City Council Member Don Smith, Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen, and all the other city of Missouri City leaders who played a role in making the 2013 Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration Foundation (MCJCF) festivities a huge success.

WHAT JUNETEENTH IS ABOUT

JUNETEENTH pays tribute to the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas by Union General Gordon Granger (and 2,000 federal troops) in Galveston, Texas in June of 1865--nearly 3 years after Abraham Lincoln had declared all slaves be freed. 

In 1872, Freeman's town residents Jack Yates, Elias Dibble, Richard Allen & Richard Brock purchased 10 acres at Dowling & Elgin and dedicated "Emancipation Park"--the first public park in the state of Texas-- as a place to celebrate their freedom,  informally called “Juneteenth” and shortened way of saying “June 19th”. 

In 1973, C. Anderson Davis, founder of The National Emancipation Association, initiated Houston's  Juneteenth Parade--initially going down Dowling Street to end at Emancipation Park.  With desegregation, the parade moved into downtown Houston.  In 2012, it returned to Third Ward.

HOW JUNETEENTH CAME ABOUT

Texas State Representative, Al Edwards sponsored House Bill 1016 to make June 19th (Juneteenth) a state holiday.
The bill passed in 1979 and the MCJCF, along with many other grateful organizations and citizens throughout the State of Texas thank Representative Al Edwards for his dedication and tireless effort in making Juneteenth an official State of Texas holiday.

BIRTH OF THE MCJCF

During the fall of 2002, Councilman Don Smith involved residents, committed businesses and civic leaders in Missouri City, Texas in a collaboration to bring an event of purpose and substance to their community.
The Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration Foundation was founded to highlight and honor the significance of the Emancipation Proclamation as it related to the State of Texas and the long-awaited pledge of freedom it carried for the slave population confined within the territory.
We honor this occasion by creating and supporting events that will positively teach, recognize, and demonstrate the importance of this hallowed day in American History.

THE MCJCF MISSION STATEMENT
Establish in 2002, the MCJCF endeavors to bring positive attention to African Americans and their great many contributions in American history while celebrating the Emancipation Proclamation.

THE MCJCF VISION STATEMENT
The vision of the Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration Foundation (MCJCF) is to enhance the well being of residents residing within the communities of Fort Bend County, in particularly, citizens of Missouri City, Texas.
We endeavor to accomplish these goals by:

       1. creating culturally relevant events & activities for the community which positively portray the modern African American lifestyle;
       2. developing programs designed to identify, nurture, and showcase talented, deserving students and young adults within the community;
       3. by bringing together individuals from all social demographics to share and understand the many benefits of good family living;

...all of which to be presented in an atmosphere laced in wholesome family values!


SEND YOUR HIGHLIGHTS TO: yourthoughtmatters@gmail.com

SCENES FROM THE ANNUAL MCJCF SCHOLARSHIP GOLF TOURNAMENT AT QUAIL VALLEY

Not all of the Juneteenth action took place on stage. This fun and entertaining 18 holes of star-studded golf was open to all individuals and skill levels.These photos where taken at Quail Valley Golf Course.

Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 1

Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 2
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 3
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 4
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 5
Pictured (from left) Frank Gracely, Steven Starzell, Anthony Francis and Mayor Allen Owen.
Pictured (from left) Frank Gracely, Steven Starzell, Anthony Francis and Mayor Allen Owen.
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 8 -- Mayor Allen Owen
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 9 -- Mayor Allen Owen
Mayor Allen Owen was seen here talking to former Houston Oilers Head Coach Ed Biles.
Pictured (from left) Councilman Don Smith, Larry Blackmon, Cary Yates, and Mayor Allen Owen.
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 12
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 13 -- Council Member Don Smith
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 14
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 15
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 16
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 17
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 18
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 19
Scenes from the 2013 Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament 20

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE CAMPAIGN WEBSITE FOR MAYOR ALLEN OWEN