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Pasadena Councilmember Justin Jones and Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Blair High School Boosters during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Blair High School Marching Band during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo greets parade-goers during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena Councilmember Justin Jones greets parade-goers during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Parade-goers during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena Councilmember Justin Jones and Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo with parade-goers during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena Councilmember Justin Jones with parade-goers during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena High School marching band during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena High School flag team member during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
California State Assemblymember Chris Holden during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Phlunté Riddle during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Parade-goers during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Rosebuds Dance Team during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Parade-goers during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena Councilmember Gene Masuda during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena Councilmember Tyron Hampton during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena Councilmember Tyron Hampton with parade-goers during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Muir High School Dance Team during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Muir High School Dance Team during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
California State Senator Anthony Portantino during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Parade Grand Marshall Danny Bakewell Jr. during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena City College Bugle Squad during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena City College parade participants during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena City Manager Miguel Márquez and Assistant City Mansger Brenda Harvey-Williams during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Michelle Richardson Bailey and Patrice Marshal McKenzie during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Anthony James and Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
The Robinson Family during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
2024 Tournament of Roses Queen Naomi Stillitano with her court during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
2025 Tournament of Roses President Ed Morales during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Miss-Fits Dance Squad during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Celebrity Grand Marshalls Michael Jai White and Gillian White during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena Councilmember Jason Lyons during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Sierra Madre Middle School Marching Band during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Parade-goers during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Community Grand Marshall Dr. William Turner Jr. during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Parade-Goers during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Celebrity Guest TK Carter during Pasadena’s 42nd Annual Black History Parade, February 17, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena honored the legacy of baseball icon Jackie Robinson and the African American community during the 42nd Annual Black History Parade on Saturday, drawing an estimated crowd of 6,000 spectators. The parade, which is the largest and longest-running Black history parade in Southern California, featured a vibrant procession of marchers, bands, vintage cars, dancers and dignitaries, culminating in a family festival at Robinson Park.
“I’m so happy,” longtime Northwest Pasadena resident Elena Gonzales said during the festivities. “I go to the Rose Parade every year, and it’s big and beautiful and famous and everything, but this feels like our own neighborhood parade.”
This year’s theme, “Past, Present, Future: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Jackie Robinson,” paid homage to the local hero who broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier wearing jersey number 42. The event took place just after what would have been Robinson’s 105th birthday.
Celebrity grand marshals Michael Jai White and Gillian Iliana White, known for their roles in films like “Spawn” and “Black Dynamite,” led the parade alongside community grand marshals Danny Bakewell Jr., executive editor of the Los Angeles Sentinel, and Pastor Emeritus William Turner Jr., founder of the New Revelation Missionary Baptist Church in Pasadena.
State and local officials, including State Assembly Member Chris Holden, State Senator Anthony Portantino, and Mayor Victor Gordo, joined the procession
Local schools, including Jackie Robinson’s alma mater, Muir High School, showcased their bands and dance teams, adding to the parade’s festive atmosphere.
Members of the 2024 Tournament of Roses Royal Court were in the Parade, along with NAACP Pasadena Branch President Allen Edson and other community leaders.
The festival at Robinson Park featured live performances by Ruff Endz, a hip-hop soul duo, and Ellis Hall, a multi-instrumentalist who has performed with legends like Ray Charles. The event ran from noon until 4:00 p.m., offering live bands, dance performances, community booths, guest speakers, and food for purchase.
Pasadena’s Black History Month celebrations continue throughout February with a series of in-person and virtual programs, events, and activities for all ages. All programs and events are free. More information is available at CityOfPasadena.net/Parks-And-Rec and PasadenaPublicLibrary.net
Grand Marshal Danny Bakewell Jr. reflected on the significance of the Black History Parade, saying, “The sense of inclusion, diversity, and equity on a day-to-day basis is far more prevalent than it was when my family first moved to Pasadena in 1976. But at the same time, we still have many more miles to go. African Americans still have to fight for a seat at the table.”
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