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On February 27, 1886, Fort Bend County’s trailblazing Benjamin Franklin Williams – a former slave-turned State Representative, the very first Black legislator in Texas history, one of 10 Black constitutional delegates during Reconstruction, and one of the forefathers of Kendleton – passed away. On this same day 136 years later, Fort Bend County’s Commissioner Dexter L. McCoy took to the stage, steps away from Williams’s resting place, and announced a landmark $4 million investment into the very same community Williams helped establish.
Kendleton, one of the very first freedmen’s communities established after Emancipation, is home to a breadth of important, yet underrecognized Texas history. Williams aside, the town’s descendants also include Barbara Jordan, the legendary Houston Congresswoman whose father preached to the community, as well as Walter Moses Burton, the first African-American Sheriff in Fort Bend County history. “This memorial will commemorate the Black experience, not only in Fort Bend County, but in Texas, and really be reflective of the stories from Kendleton all the way to Congress and beyond.”
Commissioner McCoy was joined by a bipartisan medley of local officials, reflecting the apolitical, unifying nature of this solemn project. He was joined on-stage by Former Congressman Pete Olson, Architect Gregory Hines, and Kendleton Mayor Darryl K. Humphrey, Sr. Other elected officials in attendance included Sheriff Eric Fagan, Treasurer Bill Rickert, District Attorney Brian Middleton, County Attorney Bridgette Smith-Lawson, and Constable Mike Beard, among others. Also present were representatives of Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, County Judge K.P. George, and Commissioners Andy Meyers and Grady Prestage.
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Claire Goodman | Staff writer
Fort Bend County’s first African American memorial will be erected in Kendleton’s historic Black cemetery after officials announced a $4 million initial investment to revitalize the park that is home to the burial grounds.
Dexter McCoy, newly elected commissioner for Fort Bend County Precinct 4, on Monday detailed the plans to clean up the cemetery in Bates Allen Park. The cemetery is the final resting place for many formerly enslaved people, including Benjamin Franklin Williams, the first Black member of the Texas House of Representatives.
Fort Bend County announced on Monday a $4 million investment for the creation of a new African-American Memorial at a park in Kendleton, southwest of Rosenberg. The community was one the first freedmen's towns in Texas – founded by freed slaves in the 1860s.
Part of Bates Allen Park will be redeveloped, including the preservation of two historic black cemeteries and a memorial to honor Fort Bend County's sometimes-forgotten African-American History.
Fort Bend County is one of three counties in Texas with official accounts of lynching and African-American history that range from accounts of lynching, slavery, convict-leasing and the establishment of Freedmen's Town and the first-ever Black elected officials.
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When former Congressman Pete Olson showed Dexter McCoy the deplorable state of the historic grave sites and cemetery at Bates Allen Park last Juneteenth, the young man vowed if he were elected to county government he would find the funding to restore the sites and keep them maintained for future generations.
McCoy was elected Precinct 4 county commissioner five months later and 60 days after taking office had secured $4 million in grant money for the redevelopment and preservation of the grave sites and historic Oak Hill cemetery.
The funding will also be used to amplify the area with an educational center, reflection pool, pathways and more. Once completed, the site will be called the “African American Memorial Park.”
Commissioner Dexter L. McCoy is a proud product of Fort Bend County, serving Precinct 4 residents on Commissioners Court since January 2023. The son of a teenage mother and a biological father who was incarcerated for much of his childhood, Commissioner McCoy was raised by his parents in Mission Bend. From an early age he learned the value of hard work and was motivated by service.
Commissioner McCoy began his public service career as an appointee in the Obama Administration, where he focused on college access issues and implementing the administration's agenda addressing harassment in our nation's schools.
Following his time in Washington, D.C., Commissioner McCoy returned home committed to bringing his experiences back to better serve the people of Fort Bend County. Commissioner McCoy was a district leader in Fort Bend ISD, where he delivered students and families the tools they needed to build stronger, more connected communities. He also served as a board member on the Gulf Coast Workforce Development Board, overseeing a budget of nearly $400 million in regional workforce development funds to uplift and empower the regional workforce.
When he started his work in local government, Commissioner McCoy successfully fought for a non-profit grant program and created an $11 million public-private partnership to expand internet access and address other key priorities.
A product of Fort Bend County public schools, Commissioner McCoy earned his Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism and Political Science from Boston University, where he served as Student Body President, expanded student services and successfully assisted the University in its first comprehensive $1 billion capital campaign to increase financial aid and academic resources.
Commissioner McCoy and his wife Chelsea live in Richmond with their daughters Piper and Porter, along with Fitz the Goldendoodle.
[ for speaking engagements and programs.]
if you need assistance or have any questions.
If you are a resident of Fort Bend County, Precinct 4, you have an opportunity to make a difference in our community! Fort Bend County offers residents opportunities to serve on county boards, commissions, committees, councils, authorities, and agencies. We encourage you to volunteer your time and expertise for the benefit of the community by setting policy, settling disputes, aiding fellow citizens, fundraising, and planning for Fort Bend County’s future.
If you are interested in appointment in an area where your expertise and commitment will make a difference, please consider one of the board or commission opportunities by visiting the links below. Commissioner McCoy will forward the names of qualified nominees to Commissioners Court for approval. We look forward to your application!
(no current county appointments openings)
On Wednesday, May 24, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Fort Bend Texas A&M AgriLife Extension service will host a Senior Health and Safety Day at the Fort Bend County Fair Grounds, 4310 TX-36 S, Rosenberg. The event will include resources that will help seniors to improve their quality of life. The event is open to all individuals. Each year, the event provides health, wellness, and safety information to more than 200 seniors. Seniors will have the opportunity to receive a free health screening, learn about protecting their identity, and play Bingo to win prizes.
https://fortbend.agrilife.org/event/senior-health-and-safety-day-2/
The District will host a Job Fair to hire teachers, librarians, counselors, teacher aides, and more on at Representatives from District campuses, iTeach, University of Houston – Victoria, and the District’s Talent Development Department will be in attendance.
Please click HERE to sign up for the job fair. For more information, please visit www.LCISD.org/careers or contact Human Resources Recruiter Jose Sanchez-Garcia at Jose.SanchezGarcia@LCISD.org or (832) 223-0317.
Por favor, únase al Comisionado del condado de Fort Bend, Dexter L. McCoy, el 13 de Mayo para un ayuntamiento en Rosenberg, para discutir las necesidades de la comunidad y los recursos del condado, el próximo proceso presupuestario del condado y las propuestas de bonos de Noviembre de 2023. Este evento se realizará el sábado 13 de Mayo a las 9:30 am, en el Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Family Life Center (1504 Avenue D, Rosenberg, TX 77471).
El objetivo de este ayuntamiento - el séptimo de una serie de 10 - es obtener valiosos aportes de los residentes y líderes comunitarios sobre en qué tipo de trabajo les gustaría que se centrara el condado de Fort Bend. Esta es una oportunidad para que los residentes expresen sus deseos y necesidades para Rosenberg. Además, existe la probabilidad de que el condado emita un bono de movilidad a fin de año que cubra las principales carreteras, intersecciones y mejoras de senderos en toda la comunidad, y un bono de parques que se dirija a nuevos parques y proyectos de recreación.
Please join Fort Bend County Commissioner Dexter L. McCoy on May 13 for a town hall in Rosenberg, to discuss community needs & county resources, the upcoming county budgetary process, and November 2023 bond propositions. This event will be held on Saturday, May 13th at 9:30 AM, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Family Life Center (1504 Avenue D, Rosenberg, TX 77471).
The goal of this town hall – the seventh in a series of 10 – is to get valuable input from residents and community leaders on what kinds of work they would like Fort Bend County to focus on. This is an opportunity for residents to voice their wants and needs for Rosenberg. Additionally, there is a likelihood that the county will issue a mobility bond at the end of the year that covers major roadway, intersection, and trail improvements across the community, and a parks bond that addresses new parks and recreation projects.