by Dianne Anderson

After a long hiatus, the San Bernardino Black History Parade is back with a smart fresh blend of soul, entertainment, and turning up the entrepreneurial energy to help expand Black dollars.

Buzzworthy sports stars, family-friendly sights and sounds, arts and crafts, dozens of retail and food vendors, and performances are one reminder of the reason for the season.

The other, a 100-member youth choir from San Bernardino City Unified School District will sing the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Also performing, cheer squads from area and regional middle and high schools, along with Steppers from Fairfax Elementary School and Cajon High School.

“Five marching bands are set to perform. The Cardinal Marching Band from San Bernardino High School will lead the parade. San Gorgonio High School, Indian Springs High School, and the Arroyo Valley High School marching bands will end the parade and lead all into Arroyo Valley High School for the festival,” said Russel Ward, parade coordinator.

Carl Dameron said the parade, not seen since 2013, is coming back better than ever, and the community can expect some big names, including local sports legends Eddie Catoe of the NFL Rams and USC and former defensive tackle Jarron Gilbert of the the Chicago Bears, New York Jets, and Buffalo Bills.

“We have confirmed Hall of Fame basketball player John Salley as the Grand Marshal. We’ve got the Black Cowboys. It is truly going to be a great event,” said Dameron, President of the San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation.

On Saturday, February 1, the parade starts at 9:00 a.m. at Baseline Street and Mt. Vernon Avenue to California Street, followed by the festival which will host live performances, singers, dancers, and comedians from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. That event will be held at Arroyo High School, 1881 W. Base Line St. in San Bernardino.

Local dignitaries and VIPs will mix and mingle, with many elected officials expected to attend.

Health is always a headliner, and many organizations will be out in force, including Beauregard Therapy, a behavioral health service provider. San Bernardino County Health Department and Family Health Services are bringing a variety of community wellness offerings, including vaccines.

“We’ve got all these wonderful folks here committed to making this happen, this is a part of our Black history,” Dameron said, commending dedicated volunteers Jim King, Cheryl and Hardy Brown, Sr., Wilmer Amina Carter, and Veronica Martindale, among several other champions.

He said it’s exciting to watch the parade’s journey from the tireless energy of the founding mothers and founding fathers of the early days.

“This parade was started in 1968 by the Art Townsends, the Frances Grices, the Valerie Pope Ludlams of the world. It’s gone on for more than 50 years and we get to work together to set the path so it can happen another 50 years,” he said.

With ongoing attempts to wipe out Black history, he feels this year’s theme, “Black History is Alive,” is all the more important, even as the community has come a long way.

“We have more to go, but Black people have more opportunities. We are celebrating the past and empowering the future,” he said. “Our Black middle class, our Black newspapers, we have so many Black people across the spectrum. We celebrate our successes.”

Following the parade and festival, the 32nd Annual Black Rose Awards kicks off at the Santos Manuel Student Union at Cal State San Bernardino to honor 10 community champions for their lifetime leadership and achievements, including Dr. Hardy Brown, Sr. as Humanitarian of the Year and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, recipients of the Jim King Founders Award.

The event runs from 5:30-8:30 p.m., located at Santos Manuel Student Union, 5500 University Pkwy. at Cal State University, San Bernardino. Additional Black Rose Award honorees include Dr. Shene Bowie, Dr. Teri Davis, Elizabeth Cochrane-Benoit, Dr. Arlington Rodgers, Jr., Pastor Charles “Chuck” Singleton, Richard Wallace, Lawrence Hardy, and Deborah Franklin.

Also on Saturday, February 1, the 4th Annual Taste of Soul & Black Business Expo presented by Sankofa Forever One is taking over Murrieta Town Square Park from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with their day of  celebration themed, “Connecting Culture and Commerce.”

African American entrepreneurship and cultural expression are in the spotlight.

With over 60 organizations and vendors participating, the event explores the contributions of Black entrepreneurs, featuring local talent, and dignitaries coming out for a day of celebration and networking. Organizations include NAACP, Divine 9 fraternities and sororities, the Black Chamber of Commerce, and Hera Hub-Temecula, among many others.

“This event is about more than just celebration,” said Griffin, founder of Sankofa Forever One, said in an email. “It’s about amplifying Black voices, championing local businesses, and inspiring future generations.”

For tickets to the tickets to the Black Rose Awards online, see www.SBBCFoundation.org