The City of Long Beach 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration will take place Saturday.
The 2026 festivities will begin with the parade kickoff at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue and Anaheim Street. View a map of the parade route here. The grand marshals who will lead the 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade are:
- Youth Recognition: Bruce Brown for more than 31 years has been dedicated to Martin Luther King, Jr. Park and the Long Beach community. As a Recreation Specialist within the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) and trusted community leader, he has served as a bridge between the park, local families and surrounding neighborhoods. Through mentorship, coaching and relationship building, Bruce has guided generations of youth, reduced negative influences and fostered trust across all ages.
- Philanthropy: Tito Rodriguez is the founder of the Local Hearts Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to serving low-income communities throughout Long Beach and the greater Los Angeles area. Known affectionately as “Hood Santa,” he has become a symbol of generosity, hope and compassion for countless families. Through his foundation, Tito has provided thousands of children and families with gifts, clothing and food, especially during the holiday season.
- Arts, Sports and Culture: Kimberly Benoit is a community leader and event producer who has dedicated her work to bringing people together through culture, music and community experiences. With a strong passion for organizing and storytelling, Kimberly joined her father, Al Williams, in 1992 and became his partner at Rainbow Promotions LLC. She worked at his side to help develop other projects including Long Beach Carnaval and the annual Long Beach Jazz Festival.
- Civic Engagement and Service: Erroll Parker’s early years at California State University, Long Beach, demonstrated a passion for advocacy and ensuring that community voices were heard during times of social change. During a 30 year career with the Long Beach Department of Parks and Recreation, Parker worked to ensure public spaces were welcoming for all, while also dedicating decades to coaching, mentoring youth, founding a summer camp, co-founding the African American Cultural Center of Long Beach, and supporting faith based and educational initiatives.
- Social Justice Advocacy: Commissioner Robbie N. Butler, as CEO of Speak Up Enterprises and president of the Speak Up Empowerment Foundation, has dedicated her career to helping individuals, especially single mothers, achieve success and self-sufficiency. She currently serves as a City of Long Beach Equity and Human Relations Commissioner and is a founding member of the Black Health Equity Collaborative Long Beach.
- Community Achievement: The SIX LB is a grassroots organization whose mission reflects a commitment to uplifting families, youth and vulnerable residents while addressing needs related to health, safety and economic stability. Through educational workshops, family centered community events, health and wellness programming, hospital partnerships and large-scale holiday food distributions, The SIX LB has touched hundreds of families each year. Beyond direct service, they are strong advocates for violence prevention, neighborhood safety and equitable infrastructure investment.
- Darick J. Simpson is a community leader and nonprofit executive in Long Beach currently serving as President of the Earl B. and Loraine H. Miller Foundation. Since 2019, Simpson has led the Miller Foundation in committing more than $6 million to organizations that support the health and wellbeing of Long Beach children. He also co-created PADNET.tv, restoring public access television to Long Beach, and currently serves as board president of the African American Cultural Center of Long Beach.
- Mariko Kahn is a leader in advancing mental health equity for Asian Pacific Islander communities. For 16 years, Kahn served as executive director of Pacific Asian Counseling Services, establishing it as a provider under the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. She played a key role in shaping countywide mental health policy through the Mental Health Services Act while also championing programs that address intergenerational trauma, stigma and domestic violence. In Long Beach, her impact includes expanding access for Cambodians, preserving oral histories, integrating arts and healing and strengthening community clinics.
- Vice Mayor Roberto Uranga serves as Long Beach Vice Mayor and Seventh District Councilmember, representing Wrigley and West Long Beach. A leader behind the Westside Promise, he has helped advance resources to the Westside, including park enhancements and greater access to open space.
- Honorable Tonia Reyes Uranga is a community leader and former Long Beach City Councilmember who represented the Seventh District from 2002-2010. She continues her commitment for social and economic justice today as a board member of LAANE, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy, and LULAC, the League of United Latin American Citizens.
After the conclusion of the parade, the park celebration will take place from noon to 5 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Park (1950 Lemon Ave.). Attendees can enjoy live entertainment, a kid’s zone, food and merchandise vendors, and more. The entertainment lineup is as follows, with emcee Supernatural and intermittent DJ sets by Urban Society Long Beach throughout the day:
- 12:15 p.m. – Flag Ceremony by Long Beach Polytechnic High School JROTC
- 12:20 p.m. – Antioch Church will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing”
- 12:30 to 1 p.m. – Performance by Gravity Dance Company
- 1 to 1:30 p.m. – Program and announcements
- 1:45 to 2:30 p.m. – Performance by DeMay
- 2:30 to 2:45 p.m. – Poem readings by the winners of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Poetry Contest
- 3 to 3:30 p.m. – Performance by Kristien Owens
- 4 to 5 p.m. – Performance by Anita Wilson
For more information, visit longbeach.gov/mlkparade.
