*(Los Angeles, CA) — Monday, February 17, 2025, was both a good and great day in Los Angeles. Angelenos were thankful for the President’s Day Holiday and for a beautiful day outdoors with plenty of sun and clear blue skies.
Let’s not forget that we are also celebrating Black History Month, African American Heritage Month.
Thousands of Angelenos from across Southern California and surrounding neighborhoods were in attendance for the 40th Annual Kingdom Day Parade.
The Kingdom Day Parade is a cherished Los Angeles tradition honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Through its mission of promoting peace and unity, the parade unites diverse communities to celebrate Dr. King’s vision of equity and justice for all.
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The diverse, multicultural crowd consisted of families who have made attending the Kingdom Day Parade a family tradition each year.
Nominally, the parade would have occurred in January, January 18, to be exact.
The parade was postponed ensuring that emergency resources, including our brave first responders, fire department, and law enforcement were fully available to address the recent fires.
The 40th Annual Kingdom Day Parade was held on Monday, in South Los Angeles with the theme “Peace and Unity, Let It Begin with Us.”
Attorney Ben Crump served as grand marshal.
KABC 7 broadcasted the parade live from 11:00 am-1:00 pm. Marc Brown, Leslie Sykes, and Rachel Brown hosted the broadcast. The parade was also shown on its streaming platforms.
Several elected officials participated in the Kingdom Day Parade, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Reps. Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Maxine Waters, both D-Los Angeles.
Additional parade participants consisted of Senator Steven Bradford, Los Angeles City Councilmembers, and elected officials from the city, county, state, and federal levels, to name a few.
Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Sheriff’s Department, and California Highway Patrol felt and accepted the love and energy from attendees.
Dr. Berenecea Johnson Eanes, Cal State Los Angeles, first African American women’s president led a delegation of students, faculty, and staff, including Basketball Hall of Fame member Michael Cooper, an assistant men’s basketball coach for the Golden Eagles.
Cal State LA President Berenecea Johnson Eanes participated in her first Kingdom Day Parade in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Feb. 17. She is ready to make it an annual event for herself and the university.
“We are LA,” she said, referencing the university’s slogan, “and what’s more LA than celebrating with thousands of people who are uplifted daily by Dr. King’s legacy of strength, perseverance, and hope? It was an inspiring day, and I was happy to see the diverse faces lined up along the parade route, including many Cal State LA alums who proudly cheered us along. I look forward to Cal State LA being part of the event again next year.”
Beloved Los Angeles Lakers legend Cooper was one of the most recognized participants of the parade. From start to finish of the parade route, fans chanted “Coop!” congratulated him on his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and thanked him for the Showtime Lakers-era memories. One fan even brought a Lakers No. 21 jersey, which was recently retired by the team, for Cooper to sign.
Cooper, who continually waved a black-and-gold Cal State LA pennant while riding beside President Eanes in the back of the Mustang, obliged every request for a selfie, fist bump, and hug from the Lakers fans.
“Dr. King was about unity and the development of all people, no matter their color,” Cooper said following the parade. “Cal State LA is in the heart of Los Angeles, and we have alumni that fought in the civil rights movement in the 60s and ’70s. I grew up watching a lot of changes happen at that time. It was very significant that those civil rights leaders made it easy for us to get an education, to make a living. That’s why it was important for me to participate and remind people never to forget.”
The parade features colorful floats, bands, marching units, and equestrians. Participants walked in solidarity, celebrated progress, and allowed for reflection on the ongoing work for justice and equality.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) the world’s largest HIV/AIDS Healthcare nonprofit participated in the 40th Annual Kingdom Day Parade, with its Stand Against Hate float. The float speaks to AHF’s long-standing commitment to social justice and advocacy. AHF declares “Racism is a Public Health issue and fits with this year’s parade theme “Peace and Unity, Let It Begin with Us.”
Last month, AHF proudly accepted the Martin Luther King Jr., Social Justice Award in Atlanta, Georgia. The award is the King Center’s highest recognition for an organization leading work in the social justice arena. Members of the AHF’s Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition (BLACC) Affinity group marched and rode the float along with Thunderbolt Drumline and a Brass Band. This year marks AHF’s 10th year participating in the Kingdom Day Parade.
Metro’s representation in the parade included its replica of the General Motors “old look” bus Rosa Park was riding on in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955 when she refused to give up her seats to white passengers, sparking the Montgomery bus boycott.
The Kingdom Day Parade started at 10:00 am, at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr., Boulevard and Western Avenue. The parade traveled west on MLK Jr. Blvd, to Crenshaw Boulevard, and south to Vernon Avenue.
Adrian Dove, Parade Chairman and Executive Producer announced that he will be retiring. The new parade organizers will carry on the tradition. The Kingdom Day Parade is the world’s largest and longest-running life celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The Kingdom Day Parade is organized by the Congress of Racial Equality of California, a civil rights organization whose goals include combatting the abuse of police authority, and education as a civil rights for our youth. “Let’s stand together to keep Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., dream alive and continue the fight for a better tomorrow.”
Ricky Richardson is a Southern California based writer, music reviewer and photographer. Contact him via: [email protected]
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