By Dianne Anderson

Celebrations for the entire family are just getting started with Black History Month in Riverside, now including the newest ceremony on the block – the raising of the flags.

On Thursday, February 1, the BLACK Collective leads the energy and focus with the raising of the “Black History Month” flag starting at 2:30 p.m. outside of Riverside City Hall.

Kayla Booker said she was all in when Clarissa Cervantes contacted her about the city council proposal for flag commemoration. Members of The Black Collective and others showed up unified at city hall to fight for the cause.

“I’m incredibly proud of this achievement. By advocating for and successfully implementing the flag commemorative agenda item at the city council, we have paved the way for numerous individuals to be celebrated,” said Booker, local small business owner, and founder of Black Leaders Achieving Culture Knowledge (B.L.A.C.K.) Collective.

Booker, also the Black Empowerment Coordinator at SBX Youth and Family Services, said the initiative showcases the diverse community within Riverside, and highlights the beauty of the city.

“With the chosen flags flying high, we are sending a powerful message of inclusivity, acceptance, and unity. It is a testament to the fact that everyone, regardless of their background or identity, has a place here in Riverside,” she said.

Also in a time honored tradition, on Saturday, February 10, thousands will turn out to mix and mingle for the Riverside Black History Parade, now in its 44th year. Under the ongoing theme, “It Takes a Village,” the event expounds on “A Legacy of Giving,” with Grand Marshal Sam Knight in the spotlight.

Russel Ward said that Knight has demonstrated his commitment to service to the community time and time again.

“He’s a member of the community, upstanding and outstanding for a long time. Their family has been involved in athletics, and successful over the decades. Sam Sr. is in Riverside Sports Hall of Fame,” Russel Ward, the co-chair of the parade, has been with the programming nearly every year since high school when the parade started.

Parade Division Marshals include Kym Taylor, African American Parent Involvement Specialist for Moreno Valley Unified School District, for her efforts at the district and Black Student Union. Also celebrated are Altie Holcomb, new president of Riverside African American Historical Society; Dr. Regina Patton Stell, president, Riverside Branch NAACP and Sabrina Gonzalez, executive director of the Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California.

Starting at 10:00 a.m., the parade winds from Riverside Community College at Terracina and Magnolia, down Market Street, finishing up at 13th and Main Street. Featured free services include health screenings, numerous vendors, and information booths. The Democrats will help boost voter registration ahead of next month’s Primary election. The Mayor, city council and fire department will also roll through.

“We have the Black Nurses Association and other health entities, the county and city organizations and departments that will also have community booths. There’s food vendors, clothes, and the same gamut that we usually have for vendors,” Ward said.

For entertainment, Tommy the Clown strolls through at the end of the parade. The San Bernardino Pacesetters Drill Team & Drum Squad, along with Divine 9 sororities and fraternities will step and twirl.

Volunteers are always welcome, and they have a great time in community service.

“I get calls all the time from people and put them on my list to help out with the parade or the Expo. It’s just community participation, come out and enjoy the different ethnicities that will be out at the event. Everyone should come and enjoy themselves as a city-wide event,” he said.

Dell Roberts, parade co-founder, said community turnout is always good for packed festivities. There is also a great Expo with stage events after the parade, along with three dance studios.

“We will get a couple thousand people, but I’m always looking for more, getting people in the street. We always get a couple thousand, but we tend to come out slow. The parade starts at 10:00 a.m., and our people come out at noon,” he said.

Cars are featured, including novelty slingshots and two Corvette clubs. They also feature the award-winning Ramona High School marching band, and cheerleaders.

“Bands make the parade, they have become so sophisticated. Now they’re performers, they have pageantry and flags, and there’s a whole lot that goes with it,” he said.

Most of all, he is excited to spotlight the local superstars who have worked tirelessly and continue to give all they have to the community.

“The Riverside African American Historical Society, the local NAACP because these are people who are working in the community and that goes along with our Grand Marshal who has contributed to the community,” he said. “We’re featuring in our divisions people who have given back.”

For more information on the Adrian Dell & Carmen Roberts Foundation, see https://adcrfoundation.org/