As the Emancipation Park Conservancy’s (EPC) recently announced first president and CEO, Corey Wilson, has started working immediately.
With clearly defined priorities — maximizing fundraising, enhancing the volunteer program, and increasing programming — Wilson is positioning the organization for expanded impact and national recognition.
Before joining EPC, Wilson spent 13 years with the Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge (BREC) in Louisiana. He first served as chief of management and business services before being promoted to superintendent. He directed operations for a nationally recognized park system serving more than 1 million residents annually, overseeing more than 1,000 employees and managing a $115 million annual budget across 175 parks and 6,000 acres.
Under his leadership, BREC won the 2022 National Recreation and Park Association Gold Medal award for “Best Park System in the Country.”
Now, the Morehouse College and Harvard Law School alumnus brings that same strategic vision to Houston’s historic Emancipation Park. As president and CEO, Wilson will provide leadership and operational oversight to advance EPC’s core pillars – education, economic empowerment, health and wellness, and arts and culture.
He arrives at a pivotal moment as EPC moves forward with an $18.5 million enhancement project designed to strengthen the park’s role as a cultural and community hub in Third Ward.
Drawn by history and purpose
For the New Orleans native, the opportunity was unlike any other.
“It’s a very unique position. There aren’t that many seats like this in the country in terms of the history of the park,” Wilson said.
While his professional foundation is rooted in parks and recreation, Emancipation Park offered something more.
“Parks and Recreation is my background. I recently served as superintendent of a large park system… responsible for over 100 parks and thousands of employees,” he said. “But this opportunity was unique. Not only could I continue in my passion for parks and recreation, but the historical and cultural aspects were very attractive to me. To be able to work for a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that had similar goals aligned with mine in terms of the community and preserving history and culture, while also benefiting parks and recreation, was something that was very attractive to me.”
Wilson added that the park’s location in Houston’s historic Third Ward also played a role.
“I like the area that it’s in. I know the history of the Third Ward, and I’m familiar with the city of Houston. So, I checked a lot of boxes.”
EPC Board Chair Ramon Manning expressed confidence in Wilson’s leadership.
“Corey brings both a deep appreciation and understanding of Emancipation Park’s history and a clear vision for its future,” Manning said. “His expertise and demonstrated track record in parks and recreation, budgeting, and planning while leading transformational projects will be essential to our continued work in the community and will continue to drive momentum in the investments made to the park while honoring its legacy and ensuring it remains a vital community asset for generations to come.”
From courtrooms to community spaces
Though Wilson’s passion for parks now runs deep, it wasn’t always his intended path.
“Eight-year-old Corey Wilson wasn’t exposed to much. I didn’t know much other than a lawyer or a doctor. So initially, I wanted to be both, but ultimately set on being a lawyer,” he said. “I followed that passion up until about 15 years ago. When I took a job as an attorney for the large park system, I fell in love with parks and recreation. It’s been a passion for about 15 years.”
Reflecting on his childhood experiences, Wilson sees how parks shaped his life.
“I did reflect on eight-year-old Corey … in the park, working on his jump shot, meeting new friends, striking batters out, building all the social things that helped me get to where I’m at today,” he said. “Just realizing the impact that parks had on me makes it a passion of mine to make sure everybody has those same opportunities and benefits.”
Renovations unveiling
One of Wilson’s most immediate and visible projects will culminate on Juneteenth 2026, when the public will experience significant upgrades to Emancipation Park.
“The first thing visitors will see is a state-of-the-art, world-class permanent performance stage,” Wilson said. “No longer are we going to be renting a stage for our Juneteenth event. We’re going to have a permanent state-of-the-art stage with sound and lighting.”
“By helping Emancipation Park, we’re helping all the parks. We’re helping all the taxpayers in the city of Houston. That’s one less dollar they have to spend. I’m very excited to be here and looking forward to all the
Corey Wilson
work that lies ahead.”
The addition is expected to expand programming opportunities well beyond Juneteenth.
“With that, we’ll hopefully have more concerts and festivals and all sorts of programming,” he said. “Our whole purpose is to get people to the park — as many people as possible.”
There are other renovations happening, as well.
“We’re expanding and updating the cultural center, which talks about the history of not only Emancipation Park, but the Third Ward, city of Houston, and our nation,” Wilson said. “We’ll have all sorts of memorabilia and digital stories.”
Those updates will support broader educational offerings.
“We’re looking forward to providing more programs … different educational opportunities for kids and adults alike,” he said.
Wilson added, the Juneteenth 2026 event “will be our first opportunity to showcase the stage and the new cultural center to the community and, quite frankly, the world.”
Benefits beyond the park
Wilson believes strengthening EPC ultimately strengthens Houston as a whole.
“The better we can become as an agency, the better we can support the park,” he said. “By supporting Emancipation Park, that frees up dollars that the city of Houston may otherwise have to spend here. Now they can spend on other parks in the community.”
In his view, investment in Emancipation Park ripples outward.
“By helping Emancipation Park, we’re helping all the parks. We’re helping all the taxpayers in the city of Houston. That’s one less dollar they have to spend,” Wilson said. “I’m very excited to be here and looking forward to all the work that lies ahead.”
