Baltimore celebrates Black History Month with second annual parade on Presidents Day
Baltimore celebrated Black History Month with a parade on Presidents' Day.
The second annual parade started at noon at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Eutaw Street and will end at Freemont Avenue and Poppleton Street.
"We're out here celebrating the rich culture and history of Black people, not just in Baltimore, not just in Maryland, not just this country, but across the world," said Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott.
Organizations and groups across Baltimore City took part in Monday's parade, including Black sororities and fraternities, local bands, and dance groups.
State and local leaders also took part in the parade. Founder of the Great Blacks in Wax Museum, Dr. Joanne Martin, was the Grand Marshal.
Congressman Kweisi Mfume, who represents Baltimore, rode in the parade route and Mayor Scott walked, stopping to greet people.
"This is a crazy time right now," Mayor Scott said. "We know that Black History is under attack, but here in Baltimore it's alive and well just as everyone's history is, but this is February, this is Black History Month and we have to honor that and honor the contributions that Black Baltimoreans have made to the world."
Enzo Blanks. who took his young son to the parade, hopes children walk away from the experience feeling good.
"Baltimore is a good city, safe, positive, it's on the come up," Blanks said. "Baltimore's trying to do things the right way to make it a better city for our kids."
One of oldest civil rights organizations
The Greater Baltimore Section of the National Council of Negro Women walked in the parade.
"We are one of the oldest civil rights organizations in the country led and founded by women of color," said Greater Baltimore Section President Awanya Brodie.
Brodie said its founders include Juanita Jackson Mitchell, the first Black woman to practice law in Maryland, and Victorine Adams, the first Black woman to serve on the Baltimore City Council.
"We are proud to be here today to represent a phenomenal organization, on the shoulders of some phenomenal women that we stand on," Brodie said.
Bands rock the parade route
The parades route was full of dancing and music. It included bands like Baltimore's Citywide Goldstarz Marching Band and Baltimore Twilighters Marching Band.
"It's not a Baltimore parade without the bands, to see the kids, all the folks here," Mayor Scott said. "See all the sororities, fraternities, this is what it's all about."
Gems and Gents Dance Academy also took part in the parade. Amanda Coleman with the organization said they not only teach dance, but also mentor and tutor kids.
"Our kids are making strides," Coleman said. "Our kids are positive. They're growing. This is our future. We continue to build them up each and every day. That's what we do."
