Our Founding
Austin’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration began in 1983, and was planned and sponsored by the Texas Union African-American Culture Committee (AACC), University of Texas at Austin. In 1993, AACC joined with Huston-Tillotson College and in 1994, the two colleges worked with community-based service organizations giving birth to the first City-Wide MLK Celebration.
In June of 1995, the Austin Area Heritage Council was officially formed to oversee planning of Austin’s annual Martin Luther King Day celebrations. To create a more inclusive and family atmosphere, the Heritage Council reached out to non-African American-based organizations to participate and adopted the new title of “MLK Community Celebration.”
The mission of the Austin Area Heritage Council is to encourage interest in all cultures represented in Austin and to celebrate the rich history of Austin. The Heritage Council promotes understanding and respect among all people by creating and supporting multicultural activities as well as highlighting the achievements and talents of all members of the community regardless of race or religion.
Heritage Council Board of Directors
Carol Wright, Chairperson & YLA Coordinator
Carol joined the AAHC in 2000. She coordinated the Youth Legacy Scholarship program for four years before being elected Chairperson of the board in 2004. She also currently coordinates the Youth Legacy Awards for which multiple college scholarships are awarded to students in the Austin area.
Carol is a graduate of Indiana University and brings 45+ years of community service to the Council. She is happily retired from Austin School District.
Carol keeps busy gardening, and volunteering. She has Co-Chaired Folktales Literary Society Book Club for 30+ years and serves as the Vendor Coordinator for the African American Book Festival the last 17 yrs. Carol volunteers at the Pflugerville Library & Food Pantry.
She and her husband Daniel are members of Zion Rest M.B. Church where she serves on the Scholarship Committee. They have six adult children, 21 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Cheryl Lee, Treasurer
Cheryl became involved with the Heritage Council in 2001 to serve as treasurer. She brings over 15 years of combined experience as a financial advisor / educator and non profit manager to the council. She has an MBA in Financial Planning and is an Accredited Financial Counselor. Cheryl has her own financial planning practice with Ameriprise Financial Advisors.
Yvette Crawford, Secretary
A graduate of Texas Tech University with a BA in Telecommunications, Yvette is a native Austinite, community advocate, and Secretary of the Austin Area Heritage Council as well as Coordinator of the MLK Youth Oratory Competition. A member of the Austin Area Heritage Council since 2002, she is committed to advancing the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through service, youth empowerment, and civic engagement.
Employed with Austin Community College in Campus Management under Facilities, Maintenance & Operations, Yvette is a cohort graduate of the ACC Leadership Academy, Class of 2025, and brings collaborative leadership to her work, fostering strong partnerships with schools, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders.
She is an active member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, a proud mother of Raphael, Mariah, and Allysha, and a devoted grandmother to her granddaughter, Teniyah.
Para Jackson Agobga, Volunteer Coordinator
Para worked as a volunteer at the inception of the Heritage Council in 1993 and joined the board in 1998. After leaving in 2000 to start a family, she returned in 2003, bringing with her a wealth of community and arts experience.
Para is a graduate of Prairie View A&M University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, and Texas Southern University with a Master of Public Administration. She serves on the board of Austin Chamber Music Center, is a member Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (Beta Psi Omega), and she serves as president of the Central Texas Chapter of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators. Para works at the City of Austin Public Health as a Public Health Program Supervisor.
Her family serves and worships at St. James Missionary Baptist Church. Para and her husband Chris are proud parents to three young adults, Carrie, Cecilia & Christopher.
Brenda Harris Burt, UT March Coordinator
Brenda brings over 35 years of organizational experience both regionally and nationally to the Heritage Council Board. Mrs. Burt is a published author and among other things serves as Advisor for the Big XII Council on Black Student Government and previously Executive Board Member & Administrator for Central Texas Elite Track Club. She is an active member of Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
She currently serves on the Black Studies Advisory Committee; a dual role as Faculty Lecturer and Director of Undergraduate and Alumni Relations for the Department of African & African Diaspora Studies and the John L. Warfield Center at UT.
Black Exes of Texas, Inc. named a scholarship in her honor. Brenda is a proud graduate of Morgan State University.
Joya Hayes, Capitol March Coordinator
Joya brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in volunteerism, community service, and human resources. She retired as Human Resources Director for the City of Austin, Texas, and currently serves as HR Director for the Texas Council on Family Violence.
A dynamic motivational speaker, Joya has reached more than one million people across eight states and two countries and has received numerous awards for her impactful work supporting low-income, minority students throughout Central Texas. She is a proud graduate of Huston–Tillotson University and holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Texas State University.
Joya is actively engaged in civic and faith-based service through Wesley United Methodist Church and organizations including the National Forum for Black Administrators, The Links, Incorporated, Jack and Jill of America, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, where she previously served as a Regional Director.
Dawnita Onyejiaka – Festival Coordinator
Dawnita joined the Heritage Council board as an Assistant Festival Coordinator in 2007. Dawnita brings with her over 30 years of HR and Diversity experience.
Dawnita received her Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, TX.
She is an active member of St. Mary’s Baptist Church in Pflugerville where she lives with her husband of 40 years. She is currently enjoying all aspects of retirement life.
Cynthia Sinegal-Jackson
Cynthia joined the AAHC in 2018 as a member of the Youth Legacy Awards Committee. For the past several years, she served as chair of the Youth Legacy Awards for which multiple college scholarships are awarded to students in the Austin area.
Cynthia is a member of Greater Mount Zion Church and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She is a proud undergraduate of Huston-Tillotson College and currently volunteers as an executive board member in the alumni association. Cynthia continued her education and received a Masters of Theology and a second Masters in Educational Administration. She has over 20 years of experience in various education roles.
She is the proud mom of Thaddius, Tre’ and Trinity.
Aaron Terry, Website Coordinator
In addition to an array of organizational and event planning skills, Aaron brings over decades of Information Technology experience to the board. Aaron is employed as the CTO for MemberCentral.com.
Over the years, Aaron has been a member and held leadership positions in various community service and volunteer organizations. Aaron is a member of One Chapel Church. Aaron and his wife have two children and are both heavily involved in committees and groups surrounding the school their children attend.
Socar Chatman Thomas – Children’s Area Coordinator
Socar has been involved with AAHC since 2003 and joined the AAHC Board in 2006. She is currently the Principal Real Estate Broker with Elegant Estates by Auction, a local boutique Real Estate Brokerage & Auction Company . She is a founding member of the Texas Association of Realtors Housing Initiatives Committee which focuses on providing affordable housing opportunities throughout Texas and in 2008 she became the first African American Chairman of the Austin Board of Realtors. She is an active member of St. Mary’s Baptist Church in Pflugerville, mother of two princesses, Guinevere and Isabella, wife to Martin. She is a proud Rice Owl surrounded by thousands of UT Longhorns.
All of the members of the Austin Area Heritage Council Board of Directors serve in a voluntary capacity.