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THE PARADE WORTH SEEING
By BRIDGETTE MARYLAND
BUSINESS PROS NEWSPAPER
PICTURE THIS JANUARY 19, 2009.

Anticipation launches when USMC F-188 Jets soar through the air at 9:59 a.m., followed by multicultural musical groups, co-grand marshals, honorees, dignitaries, celebrities, pageant beauties, fly rydes, and professionally crafted thematic floats from Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas. At the end of the three-hour celebration, everyone attending and participating will see cultural diversity is America's strength and not her weakness and all have more things in common than differences.

With over 25,000 participants, 15 professionally designed floats, and 30-plus award winning college, high school, and military marching bands from across the nation, the 15th Annual MLK Grande Parade is expected to catch the attention of over 300,000 observers along its 1.5 mile path beginning at 10 a.m. in Downtown Houston. “The Color of Unity” is the parade’s theme and highlights cultural diversity and reflects Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision of one America and one world - The Kingarian Doctrine of A Global Community...One Race...The Human Race...That Is The Color of Unity…Black, White, Brown, Red, and Yellow.

MLK Parade Foundation’s CEO, Charles Stamps, selected the theme to clarify the foggy misinterpretations of those constantly speaking about uniting and defeating Dr. King’s message and mission.

“He wasn't talking about Black unity. We had that already in the 60s. He was talking about world unity for justice and equality,” said Stamps.

The grande parade is a segment of the MLK Parade Foundation’s 2009 MLK Weekend Celebration, considered the Nation’s Largest Celebration in Honor of Dr. King, which also includes the 3rd Annual MLK Youth Parade at 12 p.m. in Downtown Houston and the 8th Annual Battle of the Bands at 6 p.m. in Delmar Stadium located at 2020 Mangum Rd., both on Saturday, January 17.

“Dr. King is one of the most influential public figures of 20th Century America. His spirit lives on in all of us. The keeping of the promise of equality and justice stated in our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution is the great legacy of Dr. King, not just in America but around the world,” said Houston City Council Member, Peter Brown. He and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee are the parade’s honorees.

In addition to being greeted with a military flyover, onlookers will enjoy the leading elements of high stepping and musical sounds from the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Marching Band from Cherry Point, N.C., Divine Land Marching Band from Southern United States, University of Houston “Cougar” Marching Band, and Willowridge High School “Mighty Eagle” Marching Band leading the favorably anticipated holiday event. Local respected professionals Business Pros Newspaper Publisher and Motivational Speaker Anthony Taylor, and Grammy Award Winning Rapper Chamillionaire, and Businessman/Philanthropist Douglas Horn are serving as co-grand marshals.

“The selections of the co-grand marshals, honorees, dignitaries, and celebrities to this historical event were based partly on their commitment to excellence in community service, and through leadership in exemplifying Dr. King’s doctrines and visions. It is our tradition to recognize and honor those culturally diverse groups and individuals who have demonstrated principles and ideals that best reflect Dr. King’s vision of a global community whereby the concept of justice, equality, and human rights for all are adhered to. Their participation will articulate the parade’s theme, and demonstrate ‘The Dream Lives’,” said Stamps.

Chamillionaire is the first rapper to partake as the parade’s co-grand marshal. To top that off, the mainstream multi-platform entrepreneur’s Fly Rydes is the transportation being provided for the co-grand marshals, honorees, and dignitaries. Stamps chose Chamillionaire because rappers are often given a "bad rap" and the Houston locals implement sufficient support and commitment in the community, especially in the 2008 Presidential Election. They are also very influential with kids and Stamps motivating them to become aware of that influence and how it affects the kids, may begin the process of closing the generation gap.

“I'm excited to be a part of an event that pays tribute to such a historical figure like Martin Luther King. The election of the first African American president ever, was one of the most important and inspirational moments I would ever be able to witness in my lifetime. I feel like there is no better time than now to show respect to the person
who worked so hard to open those doors,” said Chamillionaire.

Taylor, a multicultural businessman focused on helping to publicize the urgent call for unity among the community, said he’s proud to be a part of a parade uniting and recognizing diversity to a multicultural city.

“I am honored to be selected as a grand marshal and look forward to being on the board to help in other areas where my skills are needed. Mr. Stamps has been a blessing to Americans. Some of us may not get the recognition that’s deserved, but it doesn’t matter if it’s coming from the heart,” said Taylor. “I have stated, ‘I’m glad to see my people come together’ in one of my speeches and was not talking about my race as being a black person, but about everybody. I think speakers should think about that when going out to society and using their terminology. I understand when MLK said I have a dream, although it took me many years to know what that meant.”

Pageant titleholders Miss Houston USA 2008, Elise Horner, and Miss Houston Teen USA 2008, Hannah Kirkland, who hope to advance their careers, personal and humanitarian goals, and improve the lives of others, want to bring extra spirit and enthusiasm to the parade and show their respect and reverence for Dr. King Day. They and other pageant titleholders, Ms. Asia USA, Diane Yoo; Ms. Black Texas, Andrea Hill; Ms. U.S. America, Stephanie Quintanilla; Ms. Black Teen Texas, Nicole Hickl; Ms. Black Houston, Roneshia Ray; and Mrs. Spring, Sheree Robertson will also be included in the celebration.

“I’m biracial, part African American and part Caucasian, and feel that it’s so important for me to be involved in this celebration as I’m the product of “the dream” that one day all races would intermingle in where they live, go to school, work, and socialize. Without everything that Dr. King and my parent’s generation worked for, I would not be where I am today with the opportunity to accomplish all that I have, such as being the current Miss Houston USA,” said Horner.

The grande parade will be televised to a national and international viewing audience in Spanish through partnership with UNIVISION TV and Chinese through partnership with NTD TV in New York. Houston’s station KHOU-TV 11, a CBS Network affiliate, will broadcast it in English. Visit the MLK Grande Parade’s website www.mlkgrandeparade.org for more information.