Fort Bend County Unveils Sugar Land 95 Historical Marker in Powerful Juneteenth Tribute
On Juneteenth, a day dedicated to freedom and remembrance, the voices of the past were powerfully honored in Fort Bend County as the long-awaited historical marker for the Sugar Land 95 was unveiled. Set on the grounds of the James Reese Career and Technical Center, the ceremony marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to memorialize 95 African American men who perished under the state-sanctioned convict lease labor system in the early 20th century.
Members of the Fort Bend County Historical Commission (FBCHC), Fort Bend ISD (FBISD), descendants of the Sugar Land 95, and local officials gathered for the dedication, which brought generations together in solemn reflection and hope. The unveiling was led by descendants, with proclamations offered by local and state leaders, reinforcing the collective commitment to acknowledge and preserve this difficult chapter in Texas history.
After the marker’s dedication, the Fort Bend County Historical Commission participated in a Friends & Family Celebration, highlighting its broader preservation efforts and introducing its Turning 250 Committee—focused on preparing Fort Bend County’s contributions to the United States’ 250th anniversary.
The Texas Historical Marker at the James Reese Center honors the Sugar Land 95—convict lease laborers The Long Road to Recognition
The historical significance of the Sugar Land 95 was first brought to light by the late Reginald Moore, a former corrections officer and preservationist who tirelessly researched the system of convict leasing in Texas. Moore, guided by faith and years of investigative work, believed human remains could be buried on the site where the James Reese Center was under construction. Though initially dismissed and ridiculed, his persistence was vindicated when skeletal remains were unearthed by a construction crew on February 19, 2018.
Further analysis confirmed that the remains belonged to African American prisoners leased by the state to labor at the former Imperial Sugar plantations. Their existence and suffering had been hidden for over a century—until Moore's revelations and the discoveries on-site proved him right.
The Sugar Land 95 became a call to action, not just to remember these men but to demand that their stories be permanently preserved and respected.
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Honoring the Legacy: Friends of the Sugar Land 95
In the years following the discovery, what began as a conversation in a local restaurant in September 2022 evolved into the formal creation of a nonprofit: Friends of the Sugar Land 95 (FOSL95). This group emerged from the community-led Forced Labor Justice Coalition of Fort Bend and has since become the official partner of FBISD’s Sugar Land 95 Memorial Project.
FOSL95’s mission is fourfold:
- To advocate for the respectful memorialization of the victims of forced labor
- To educate the public about the history and legacy of convict leasing
- To fundraise in partnership with FBISD for a permanent memorial and educational center
- To ensure perpetual stewardship of the cemetery and learning site
“From a meeting of just a few community members and an FBISD staff member, to the formal drafting of a partnership agreement, we have come so far,” said Marilyn Moore, President of Friends of the Sugar Land 95. “We are proud to honor these men, and we will neither let the vision die nor the work of Mr. Moore be forgotten.”
Moore’s leadership, along with Vice President Carol Cummings, Secretary Mira Johnson, and Treasurer Sharmia Jones, has been central to the progress of the group. On June 21, 2023, FOSL95 formally reached out to FBISD Superintendent Dr. Christie Whitbeck, who welcomed the collaboration. By September 2023, a draft affiliate agreement marked FOSL95 as the official community partner of the memorial project.
Community members, descendants, and local leaders gather for the Juneteenth unveiling of the Sugar Land 95A Vision for the Future: The Memorial Project
In 2021, FBISD enlisted the award-winning MASS Design Group to develop a vision for the Sugar Land 95 Outdoor Learning Area and Memorial Cemetery. After ten weeks of community engagement and multiple public forums, a final design was presented at the 2022 Sugar Land 95 Symposium. The project, estimated at $4 million, is actively seeking funding through philanthropic, corporate, and community support.
The design not only includes upgrades to the cemetery itself but an outdoor learning area meant to foster education about the convict lease system, slavery by another name, and the legacy of systemic injustice.
Fort Bend ISD has affirmed its commitment: “We are dedicated to honoring and properly memorializing the individuals known as the Sugar Land 95. Their stories will not be forgotten.”
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Keeping History Alive
As the Fort Bend County Historical Commission continues its work of documenting and preserving local heritage, the legacy of the Sugar Land 95 now stands on solid ground—both literally and symbolically.
“The importance of this history is immense,” said a representative of FBCHC. “History gives the present its perspective, and the future its guide.”
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Fort Bend County is poised to play a vital role—not only in celebration, but in truth-telling. The story of the Sugar Land 95 serves as both a solemn memorial and a critical educational opportunity.
To support the Sugar Land 95 Memorial Project or to learn more about the Friends of the Sugar Land 95, visit FBISD’s website at fortbendisd.com.
Stay tuned with My Neighborhood News for updates on more Fort Bend County heritage initiatives.
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.
