Pasadena Reclaiming This 2018

– Photo by Margina Bean / Beacon Media News

By Margina Bean

The city of Pasadena Human Services and Recreation Department hosted the 36th Annual Black History Parade on Saturday February 17. This year’s theme was “Reclaim Our Time Overcome Obstacles- Strength to Continue”. Bands and dancers practiced formations before the show started in the grass at Charles White Park, just some last minuet touches.

The Parade was kicked off by the Army National Guard, the Navy and Blair High Schools Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp. (JROTC) followed by their Marching Band. Horns blaring loud engaging the crowd and has most of the people on their feet moving to the beat. The Parade began at Charles White Park on Fair Oaks Ave. and Ventura and ended on Fair Oaks Ave. and Hammond. This 3-mile stretch was full of music dancing and good cheer.

Spectators watched Cheerleading performances from teams like the Lady Bears from Glendale the Loma Alta Diamondz from Altadena who came out grooving and pumping up the crowd. The Charles T. Kranz Intermediate School Flags girls and Band from El Monte are just a few of the talented performers that came out. There were organizations that came out in support of the Black History celebration of the reclamation of Pasadena. The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc Pasadena Alumnae Chapter, Ujima program, and the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. came to show their support of unity that was extended throughout the community. The1985 Rose Queen Kristina Smith and the 2019 President of the Tournament of Roses Parade Gerald Freeney came out to show the community support waving to the crowd while riding in Black convertible sports car with nothing but hug smiles on their faces.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Pasadena chapter (NAACP) held photos of great African American men like Martin Luther King, W.E.B Dubois, Lionel Richie, Thurgood Marshall and many more representing the leadership and strength that the African American heritage holds. There were messages from Community members like Vice Mayor John J. Kennedy who said, “Let’s make Pasadena a better city, a better neighborhood, a better State because Pasadena is here to stay.” That message projected a since of pride for the city. The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. and public officials like the Pasadena Police Department, an Highway Patrol, Pasadena Fire Department engaged the crowed with encouraging messages and handed out gifts to the kids.

Officials came out and showed their support for the community on this day of celebration for Black History with messages of encouragement for the people. Mayor Terry Tornek, the Youth Community Grand Marshall Nicole Bernard, City Attorney Michele Bagneris, and California State Senator Anthony J. Portantino all stopped along the parade route and spoke to the community, shook hands and handed out flyers to future events.

There were many talented performances from groups like Pasadena City College, The Wilson Middle School Marching Band, and the The Pasadena LEARNs after school program cheerleaders and many more. The students, facility, community leaders, and volunteers who put this parade together worked hard and put on a great show on this beautiful Saturday afternoon in Pasadena.

After the parade there were vendors from all over LA county selling t-shirts and authentic African attire. Booths where you could play games and win prizes as well as plenty of food trucks and cool beverages to choose from after being in the sun watching the parade. Awards were given out while the festivities were underway. People eating listening to music, kids running around playing drummer playing an energetic celebration; Even though the gym and office at Robinson park was under construction the turn out was in high volume and went off without a hitch.

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