Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival’s Red Black and Green Gala Lets the Good Times Roll

The good times will roll as The Red Black and Green Honors Masquerade Gala will feature the flavors of New Orleans at 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Jan 30 at the Rose, 245 E. Green St. Pasadena.

The Mardi Gras in the City of Roses, put on by the Black History Parade and Festival will be held The Rose in Pasadena. It honors the youth and the people who make a difference in the community. The annual event is also a celebratory kickoff of Black History Month.

“This is the 38th annual event and we are approaching our 40th,” said event coordinator Kenny James with the City of Pasadena. “What makes this event so special is the longevity and history of the group. We provide activities and education in addition to the festival for the community to come celebrate.”

The gala honors two outstanding youth grand marshals, a celebrity grand marshal and a community grand marshal.

“The mission is to educate on the history and to display excellence of Blacks within the community of Pasadena,” James said.

There are several people whose work on the committee was noted by James, including Del Yarbrough and Rodney Wallace.

But in addition to putting together the gala, it’s the Black History Parade that will take center stage in February.

The Parade takes place from 10 a.m. to noon on Feb 15. The Parade begins at Fair Oaks and Figueroa in Altadena and heads south to Fair Oaks and Mountain Street.

James said tremendous efforts contribute to the success of the annual Red Black and Green Gala. Wilson Middle School will perform in this year’s parade.

“There are about 35 community members involved in the process,” James said. “And they each deserve recognition.”

This year Wendi Racquel Robinson and Margaret Avery will serve as grand marshals is Margaret Avery, who played Shug Avery in “The Color Purple.” The 1985 role earned Avery a nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. She has also appeared in “Blueberry Hill,” “White Man’s Burden” and “Proud Mary” among other films.

Robinson rose to fame on the “Steve Harvey Show” and “The Game.” She has been nominated for 11 NAACP Image Awards, and won in 2014 for outstanding actress in a comedy series for her work in The Game.

In 1996, Robinson co-founded the Amazing Grace Conservatory, a school that predominately serves children from 8 to 18 years old from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds in the fields of the arts and media production. Robinson has served as the school’s Executive Director since its inception.

This year’s community grand marshal, Edna Bluain, has played a vital role to Pasadena in her own quiet way.

“Ms. Bluain has been very important to the community based on her volunteerism,” James said. “She works well with the seniors and the youth and does sponsorships for youth. She helps with resources for youth to stay in school.”

The youth grand marshals are Alaysia Barker-Vaughn, who attends Loyola Marymount University. She is active in The Black Student Union, Sisters in Solidarity Club, Campus Life Ministry Community Program and Disability Service Program. In addition, she started a nonprofit that focuses on providing scholarships to students she mentors.

Elijah Gates, a graduate of John Muir High School, attends UCLA on an athletic scholarship and his major is African-American studies. He is a mentor to Pasadena youth, he works with the Ronald McDonald House, STARS foster youth program, Union Rescue Mission and Boys and Girls Club events.

Black History Month is something the entire community can celebrate, James said.

“It’s important to celebrate Black History Month so people understand the value, the work ethic and determination,” he said. “It’s to make sure people are participating and giving back and making the community a safe place for people of all diverse backgrounds.”

James said the most important function is to make sure the young people are aware of the importance of Black History Month.

“This is about young people and to make sure they continue the legacy and pass the torch,” James said.

Date: Jan. 30, 2020
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 pm
Location: The Canyon at the ROSE 245 E. Green St. Pasadena, Ca. 91101
Theme: Masquerade Gala.
Cost: $65
Tickets: www.BIT.LY/RBGGALA
Activities: Food, Awards, Entertainment & Dancing

Contact Kenny James
kjames@cityofpasadena.net
(626) 744-7509