Royals family carries Dr. King’s legacy through annual MLK March
Jan. 27, 2026 | West Texas Tribune
In 1987, Claudie Royals established Abilene’s annual MLK March. Today, Michael Royals carries on the tradition his father began.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy was built through peaceful protests, powerful speeches and letters, and the faith-based conviction that all people are created equal under God.
On Aug. 28, 1963, Dr. King led 250,000 people in a peaceful march through Washington, D.C., that concluded with his “I Have a Dream” speech.
In replication of that day, hundreds gathered for the march across the MLK bridge in Abilene. To Royals, MLK’s message means hope.
“The hope that we wouldn’t have to go through everything, and people wouldn’t just look at us because of our color. He worked so hard. And everybody thinks that he did it just for black men, no, he did it for women and everyone,” Royals said.
Royals’ daughter Brianna Royals said that events like the MLK March are important because history isn’t just something to be read in books.
“We’re living every single day a history that our generation is going to live on forever,” Brianna said. “And if we don’t keep that hope, we don’t keep that fire, ignited, burning beneath us, then we are going to lose touch of who we really are. The community, the love, the togetherness that we all spread.”
Dr. Kelvin J. Kelley, a professor of theology and the coordinator of student diversity at Hardin Simmons University, said MLK’s dream gives hope toward creating a “true America.”
“To truly be America, a land that honors the humanity and the responsibility of all people,” Kelley said. “That’s what it means to be an American. That’s what I think his dream is fulfilled in.”
The Royals plan to continue organizing Abilene’s celebration of Dr. King for as long as they can, because his message is just as relevant today as it was 60 years ago.
“As long as I can, I will be out here, and hopefully my kids, after I’m gone, they’ll be out here, too,” Michael Royals said.
Take a look at some scenes from the 2026 MLK March in Abilene:
