Red, Black & Green Honors Dinner Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Black History Month and Outstanding Community Members

The Pasadena Black History Celebration Planning Committee held its Red, Black & Green Honors Dinner last Saturday night at the Hilton Pasadena to celebrate civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Black History Month, as well as highlight people in the Pasadena community who are making a difference.

Among those honored was Pasadena Firefighter Andre Jones, who passed away in November, 2017 who died of a job-related cancer. He was 58.

“In addition to remembering the rich history of Black culture in America, it was also an honor to witness the family of fallen Firefighter Andre Jones accept an award in his memory for the contributions he made to our City,” Pasadena Fire Chief Bertral Washington said in an email. “We have so many heroes in Pasadena and it was very special to be in their presence last night.”

This year’s other honorees, 2018 Pasadena Black History Parade Grand Marshals Ishmael Trone and Nicole Benard were in attendance. Community Service Awards honorees included Ted Bates, Lynette West-Cater, George McGrudder, Darryl Qualls, and Rodney Wallace.

Trone pointed to the participation of young people in the event.

“The event highlights surround the youth that participated in organizing the celebration and their educational achievements in our city, while those in attendance acknowledged that they are our future,” Trone said.

Among those in the crowd attending on Saturday were Pasadena Vice Mayor John J. Kennedy, City Councilmember Tyron Hampton, Pasadena Chief of Police Phillip Sanchez, Pasadena Fire Chief Bertral Washington, Director for the Human Services and Recreation Department, Horace Wormely, and Assemblymember Chris Holden’s field representative, Phlunte Riddle.

Councilmember Hampton pointed to the importance of the event itself to the community.

“Pasadena is a diverse city. In fact, it’s one of the most racially and socioeconomically diverse cities in the nation. The annual Red, Black, and Green Honors Dinner is held to celebrate individuals who give of themselves through outstanding service to our community. The Red, Black, and Green Honors Dinner also serves as a reminder that we — all of us, as members of the human race — must not forget the past as we move through the present and move toward the future,” Hampton wrote in a statement. “It is so important for us to pause and acknowledge those who came before us and paved the way as we progress on our collective journey to having true equality for all.”

Pasadena’s 2018 Black History Parade and Festival is scheduled for Saturday, February 17, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Trone characterized the parade as “the culmination of all events taking place during Black History Month for the public to seize the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments their local African Americans have made in the black history of Pasadena.”

One of Southern California’s largest Black History parades, it will kick off at Charles White Park and end at Robinson Park with a festival featuring live bands, dance performances, community booths, guests speakers, food to purchase and plenty of fun.