By Dianne Anderson

Soul food foodies, entertainment aficionados, and even health nerds will come from miles and miles around to experience this year’s headliners, VIPS and celebrity attractions at the Orange County Black History Parade.

To keep the throngs full and festive, Dwayne Shipp said the best strategy was obvious.

Food Fest ’25, from one end of the festival to the other, has at least 30 vendors offering cuisine across the spectrum to satisfy the pickiest of pallets.

“Everybody knows after the parade that what keeps the people out is food and entertainment. I’ve been focused on bringing more food vendors, all types of foods, vegan, desserts, cakes, everybody likes to eat,” said Shipp, president of the Orange County Heritage Council.

On Saturday, February 1, the 45th Annual “We Are One,” OC Black History Parade & Unity Festival starts at 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m, located 205 W. Center Street Promenade in Anaheim.

Other attractions showcase numerous free services, vaccines, and help with healthcare resources. Spinning his beats and rhymes, the official DJ for the Los Angeles Dodgers Lanier “DJ Severe” Stewart will set the tone. Hip hop legend and philanthropist Dr. Yo Yo Whitaker is the Grand Marshal, and Khloe Thompson, the 2025 Miss Black CA USA Talented Teen is the Youth Grand Marshal.

But health services are the first thing attendees will see when they walk through the Health Village.

Through their sponsors, Shipp said there is a wide assortment of free health screenings with free smoothees and snacks for those who sign up, and there will be free water and juice for everyone.

“We have a full-on health village. Health is the most important thing on earth while you’re on earth, I would say over everything,” he said. [With] CalOptima, we pretty much have a mobile hospital with our health vendors.”

What began as his mother’s dream in 1980, Helen M. Shipp founded the parade to bring a safe celebration of Black culture to Santa Ana. Today, held in Anaheim, it continues to attract thousands from all over the tri-county area.

As a young boy of about 11, he remembers watching his mom give flowers to Yolanda King, daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who had called him over to hold the flowers. He knew then the experience was bigger than just a parade.

In 1986, King walked across the stage to hug his mom, and his mom gave her the flowers.

“It was back before anyone knew what giving her flowers meant, Miss Yolanda King calling me to her as a kid and me holding her flowers for her, and her telling my mom, ‘I’m gonna take him with me.’”

It’s been 45 years since his mother’s vision started what has become a major cultural event. He said that it was always about the people, uniting the people, and celebrating community achievements.

Others have taken up the mantle since then, the younger set, bringing new ideas and creativity. He said the passion and commitment haven’t waned with time.

At first, the parade was built around the churches, as they would return to empower the community. Today, many churches are still participating with vendor booths, and all are thriving.

Even as it costs a lot of money to pull the parade off every year, he said no one gets paid. Their OC-HC organization is 100% volunteer-based.

“It’s like a Black flea market. It’s definitely commerce. Everybody except our organization makes money. The only thing we sell is a good time,” he said. “That’s how my mother set it up, to empower others.”

Shipp said it remains the longest-running African American event in Orange County, consistently for 45 years. They continue to draw over 12,000 in attendance, and everyone feels welcome around unity and diversity.

They encourage different cultures to come together as they highlight Black contributions.

He said the community returns to home base, some even fly back.

“At one time Santa Ana was seemingly all Black, there was nothing to do in 1979, there was no way to celebrate our rich culture and honor the people. My mother started it to bring us together as a people and 45 years later, we’re still standing strong.”

For a fast response about opportunities at OC-HC, TEXT “Vendor Opportunities” to 714.579.9966 and add an email to receive an application.

For more information, see www.oc-hc.org/