Abilene volunteers honor MLK Day with cleanup of historic building

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the local non-profit Let Us Breathe invited volunteers to help clean up the historic 6th Street Center in Abilene Monday morning. Volunteers gathered early to reflect on MLK’s legacy while restoring a building of cultural significance to the African-American community in the Key City.

The 6th Street Center, originally known as the Wilson Hotel, was the first African-American hotel in Abilene in the early 1900s. It once housed a diverse range of shops, including a record store owned by the well-known Abilenian and African-American historian Reverend Andrew Penns.

Fabian Newton, a volunteer for the MLK cleanup, shared, “I think this place in Abilene itself has a lot more to it than people think. And just helping out in the community, no matter how small it may be, is a big step to making it better.”

President of Let Us Breathe, Shawnte Fleming-Lewis, spoke about the rich African-American history in downtown Abilene, hinting at upcoming announcements and a new vision for the area.

“So much of our Black history and culture is right here in the heart of it. How do we restore that? How do we save it?  How do we tell that story? So in the next month, you’ll be seeing us tell the story of this area and what is to come and our vision that we want to see for this area,” Fleming-Lewis shared.

This cleanup is just the beginning of a larger plan to refurbish the 6th Street Center. Once the renovations are complete, the community will be invited to experience the rich history and stories of the African-American community in Abilene. Fleming-Lewis emphasized that this day symbolizes service, honoring Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through action.