It began as Negro History Week in 1926. Historian Carter G. Woodson’s vision to celebrate Black American history has evolved into a month-long celebration in February each year. Americans across the country host celebratory and educationally informative events that recognize the contributions of African Americans. On Saturday, February 8th, Riverside held its 45th Annual Black History Month Parade.
California’s longest running Black History Parade is the brainchild of the Adrian Dell & Carmen Roberts Foundation. Hundreds of people were on hand for the 2025 event. It began at the parking lots off Ramona Road, at the eastern end of the Riverside City College campus. The 1.5-mile parade route traversed right onto Market Street, left onto 11th Street, ending downtown on Main Street in front of the Riverside County Courthouse. Participants were announced on a stage at the parade terminus as they passed by. School bands from Valley View High School of Moreno Valley and North High School of Riverside, performed alongside the legendary dancer and entertainer Tommy the Clown. They were just a few groups that gave energizing performances to the large crowd assembled in front of the Courthouse.
“The parade is an opportunity for people to connect and fellowship annually with the many generations who come out to attend,” said Russel Ward of the Adrian Dell & Carmen Roberts Foundation, and the parade co-chair. “I think it gives a positive and cohesive look, when different areas of civic, commercial, religious, and community representatives on the Federal, State, County and City level come together to celebrate our similarities and uniqueness of culture together.”
“It Takes a Village” is the parade’s long-running theme. This year’s focus was ”Serving the Community.” Several community-based service and non-profit organizations also proudly participated. They included Moreno Valley Unified School District’s African American Advisory Council, the Riverside County Black Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Riverside Black Nurses Association. Several National Panhellenic Council’s Divine 9 Fraternities and Sororities walked the parade route. UCR’s Sigma Eta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi flexed their strolling skills along the parade route, later performing a step show for the crowd.
Professor Nicole Green, an Art and History Professor at Riverside City College, walked the parade route with students representing her campus’ Umoja Project Organization. “I’ve been coming to the parade as long as I’ve lived in Riverside, almost 20 years, “ said Green. “I’m here to support my entire Pan-African family. I love to celebrate us, and remind us of how great and special we are.”
Brigette Tillman of Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Eta Nu Omega Chapter has attended the parade for 40 years. She was accompanied by Cheryl Nichols of Delta Sigma Theta’s Inland Valley Alumnae Chapter, and Tiffany Bell of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., both longtime supporters of the parade. According to Tillman, “It is important for me to be out here supporting my black community. If not for the support of the African Americans around me, I wouldn’t be where I am today, so I will always give back.”
This year’s parade displayed pride and appreciation. The sidewalks of downtown Riverside’s Market Street were packed with spectators enthusiastically cheering each group as they passed by. The parade began at 10 a.m. and was over by noon. Several food, merchant, and service vendors were set up along Main Street for the parade’s Expo, which ran until 4 p.m.
Damon Alexander, who from 2020 – 2024 was a city councilman in San Bernardino, was represented at the parade with the Orange Valley Lodge #13 of Riverside. Alexander replied About the event, ‘What African American History Month means to me is that we must celebrate those who have gone before us, whether they are famous or not. The struggle ensuing today means we must remember the past so we don’t repeat it.”
