The History of ROC:
Revitalizing Our Community, or as it’s known “ROC” was started by The Miller brothers, Jodie, LaJon and Draco in the early 2000’s. Learning from their local heroes and wanting to honor them, the Miller Boys established the Friends of Bennie Houston organization. Bennie Houston was a pioneer in the black community, being the first African American elected to the Brownwood City Council along with many other accolades. The city after his passing would honor him by renaming the Cordell Street Community Center, to the Bennie Houston Community Center. Wanting to help and seeing the effects of limited upgrades to the community center, the Miller Boys, along with their newly established organization, sprang into action. They raised the funds to purchase new pool tables, gaming systems and computers. This allowed the youth to enjoy all the community center had to offer. Seeing more to be done and wanting to broaden the scope of giving back, the Miller Boys expanded the vision of the Friends of Bennie Houston to a full scale 501(C) 3 organization in 2008. The new organization would be called Revitalizing Our Community or ROC. This new organization gave the Miller Boys and the organization the chance to tackle larger projects/events in the community, such as the annual Juneteenth celebration and the Ceil Holman Park project. This would be a complete revitalization of the beloved park. Working with the city, ROC was able to purchase new playground equipment, refurbish existing equipment, build a new pavilion, transform the old tennis courts into basketball courts, create a walking trail lined with trees and create a donor’s patio. This was one of the largest projects taken on by any organization in the community. Still seeing the need for more, the organization started a scholarship fund for local high school seniors as well as working to create the MLK plaza and annual MLK celebration for the citizens of Brownwood. Over the years the programs and events have expanded.
ROC’s Mission:
The mission of ROC is dedicated to promoting the empowerment of people, protecting and providing for the youth, respecting cultural diversity, strengthening, and fostering community relationships, and improving quality of life throughout the community by unifying all ethnicities for the betterment of the community of Brownwood.
ROC Board of Directors:
Steering the ship of the organization are the multi-talented, community driven and selfless board of directors. Each one of the board members gives of their time, energy and talents. Over the years the board has been able to retain many of the founding members. Much of the success of the organization stems from the consistency of the board.
Draco Miller, Jr.- Conservator/President
Sareta Spratt-Delgado-Secretary/Treasurer
LaJon Miller-Sargent at Arms
Harold Hogan-Public Relations
Charity Adams- Director
Ilita McMillion-Director
Community Engagement:
Community engagement is vital to the mission of ROC. Annually ROC plans and oversees multiple events and programs, including:
- Helping to sponsor the Fall shoe give away for local youth, with A Breath of Praise Church
- ROC Holiday Blessing: Food box give away
- Annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration
- Black History Month spotlights
- High School Senior Scholarships
- Leslie Adams Memorial Football Scholarship
- Annual Juneteenth Community Celebration
Along with programs and events, ROC continues to be a supporting hand in the MLK Plaza, the Bennie Houston Community Center, Ceil Holman Park and the R.F Hardin School project.
ROC would like to thank every person, organization, or entity who has ever supported, sponsored, or donated towards the mission of the organization. ROC would also like to thank the citizens and community of Brownwood for all the love and support throughout the years. As the current directors stand on the shoulders of the founders, the plan is to always continue the legacy and foundation laid by their great work.
Until next time, ROC wishes the very best for the community of Brownwood and its citizens. ROC also wants the community to stay United and Strong, because remember, WE ARE ONE!