By Jeffrey L. Boney
Associate Editor
www.forwardtimes.com
Local resident shares her story of becoming a U.S. citizen over 40 years ago and local organization offers programs to help immigrants in the African Diaspora obtain their U.S. citizenship
The journey to obtaining citizenship in the United States affects many individuals, especially those in the African diaspora who don’t receive as much media attention as other nationalities seeking a safe pathway to U.S. citizenship. It is important to amplify the stories of those who have been successful.
In 1972, Marvlyn A. Cornelius left the Caribbean Island of Dominica in the West Indies in pursuit of advanced education. She first traveled to the Virgin Islands, where she started a career in the banking industry. Her desire for advancement led her to leave the Virgin Islands in 1976 and move to Boston, MA. In Boston, she began working at Honeywell Industries as a data entry clerk, and then at Carney Hospital as an emergency room secretary.
After the blizzards of 1977 and 1978, Cornelius left Boston for Texas, seeking to escape the cold. She enrolled at Houston Community College, where she obtained her associate’s degree, and then went on to work at the University of Houston.
Cornelius became interested in furthering her education, so she continued at the University of Houston, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in business. She worked for several organizations, such as the Texas Department of Health, and served as a member of the board for Mental Health for eleven years.
“My zeal for helping people in any way possible led me to begin volunteering at the Literacy Council of Harris County, where I had the opportunity to attend workshops at the United States Immigration and Naturalization office,” Cornelius recalls regarding her journey to U.S. citizenship. “Through learning the details and the process of naturalization, I became a United States citizen on November 7, 1983, and immediately felt compelled to help my family and other immigrants obtain their U.S. citizenship.”
Cornelius worked for several non-profit organizations, teaching English as a second language, before beginning a career with the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County on July 7, 2017. Her passion for working with people has helped them achieve their goals, especially those needing assistance with mock interviews before taking the U.S. citizenship exams.
When it comes to navigating the journey to U.S. citizenship, Cornelius states that it may be a long process, but advises: don’t give up and learn the details and the steps involved.
“Although there may be challenges and obstacles that an immigrant may endure to become a legal citizen, such as language barriers, resources, schedules, and other issues, I would advise anyone seeking help to get the correct information on what to do and where to go,” Cornelius emphasizes.
The Greater Houston area serves as the home of approximately 360,000 legal permanent residents, with many others eager to obtain their United States citizenship.
Since 1987, the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County has served Fort Bend County communities, providing adult education programs that have helped over one million students achieve their goals and focusing on improving lives through a variety of impact programs.
Many students have reached significant milestones in their educational journey through dedication and hard work, primarily focusing on improving their English through ESL programs, obtaining basic literacy skills, learning basic computer skills, and earning their high school equivalency or GED.
However, an extremely critical offering that the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County provides—and one that many students have truly appreciated—is helping individuals obtain their United States citizenship.
Dedre M. Smith serves as the Executive Director for the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County, a role she accepted in May 2023. Smith brought over fifteen years of nonprofit administrative experience in delivering high-quality community, family, and youth programming. After completing her master’s degree in organizational leadership, she felt it was the perfect time to lead this long-standing organization in meeting the evolving needs of the Fort Bend County community.
“I have a personal commitment to helping individuals, families, and children reach their personal goals through access to vital programs—what I like to call ‘providing a lifeline,’” Smith explains.
Regarding helping immigrants, especially those in the African diaspora, Smith states that the Literacy Council proudly serves a richly diverse community, providing adult education programs to immigrants from more than 58 countries.
“While our most sought-after services include English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction and U.S. citizenship preparation, our impact extends far beyond the classroom,” says Smith. “We create a welcoming and safe environment where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their personal and professional goals. By fostering connection, building skills, and opening doors to opportunity, the Literacy Council helps transform lives and strengthen the Fort Bend County community.”
Smith adds that despite the challenges many immigrants face when trying to obtain citizenship, the Literacy Council helps them overcome some of the most significant barriers to building a new life in this country.
“Many arrive facing limited English proficiency, which impacts their ability to find employment, navigate daily life, and advocate for themselves and their families,” Smith emphasizes. “We address this by offering ESL instruction at multiple levels, ensuring students gain the communication skills they need to thrive. We also guide students through the complex U.S. citizenship process, providing preparation classes and connecting them with trusted legal resources.”
Beyond academics, Smith explains that the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County works to reduce isolation by fostering a welcoming, supportive community where students can build confidence, develop digital and workplace readiness skills, and connect to vital resources. These combined efforts empower immigrants to integrate more fully, achieve personal and professional goals, and contribute meaningfully to the Fort Bend County community.
For immigrants seeking assistance with obtaining citizenship, Smith advises that they only work with reputable, qualified resources—such as accredited immigration attorneys or Department of Justice–recognized representatives—to avoid misinformation or scams.
“At the Literacy Council, while we do not provide legal advice, we offer U.S. citizenship preparation classes, connect individuals to trusted legal partners, and guide them through a safe, informed pathway toward their goals,” says Smith. “We also encourage immigrants to strengthen their English and digital skills, as these will help them navigate the process with confidence and independence.”
For more information on the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County, please visit www.ftbendliteracy.org.
