Hatitude Returns to Downtown Elgin to Honor Dr. Marilyn Jones During Black History Month
Hatitude, Elgin’s annual Black History Month celebration, returns to downtown on Saturday, February 7, bringing the community together to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Marilyn Jones — a lifelong educator, public servant, and tireless community advocate whose impact has been felt across Central Texas and beyond.
The event will take place at FireWild, located at 201 N. Main Street in downtown Elgin. A meet and greet begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by the formal program at 10 a.m. Community members are encouraged to attend, celebrate, and wear their favorite hats as part of the Hatitude tradition. A $5 mimosa bar will be available, with both cash and credit cards accepted.
Dr. Jones’ career spans more than four decades and reflects a deep commitment to education, civic leadership, and public service. She has worked across public schools, higher education institutions, municipal government, and nonprofit organizations, always with a focus on advancing opportunity for children, families, and underserved communities. Most recently, she served more than eight years with Elgin Independent School District as a Special Education Paraprofessional and Classroom Interventionist, supporting students with disabilities through Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and daily classroom advocacy.
Her academic background includes a PhD in Child Development and Early Childhood Education from Texas Woman’s University. Over the years, Dr. Jones has taught at Texas Woman’s University, Prairie View A&M University, Paul Quinn College, and Austin Community College, sharing her expertise in early childhood education, counseling, workforce training, and career development with generations of students.
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In addition to her work in education, Dr. Jones held senior roles with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, the Texas General Land Office, and the City of Austin’s Brownfields Program. Her public service contributions include helping write legislation and secure funding for the $45 million Texas School for the Deaf Reconstruction Project — a lasting statewide investment that continues to serve Texas families today.
A trailblazer in civic leadership, Dr. Jones made history as the first Black woman elected to the Waco City Council. Her life story includes decades of civic engagement, participation in social justice efforts, service on numerous committees and nonprofit boards, and collaboration with three Texas governors and multiple state leaders. Her experiences also include meeting seven U.S. presidents and participating in an international student delegation to England, where she met Queen Elizabeth II.
Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Jones is a proud member of Strait Gate Fellowship Baptist Church and is widely known for her compassion, volunteer spirit, and dedication to community building. Hatitude was created to recognize individuals like Dr. Jones — servants of both church and community whose lives reflect leadership, faith, and a commitment to lifting others.
Hatitude is sponsored by the City of Elgin and FireWild, with the support of the Elgin Area Ministers Wives. The event is open to the public and offers an opportunity for residents to celebrate Black History Month in Elgin while honoring a woman whose life’s work continues to inspire the community she serves.
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.
