Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration
SAVE THE DATE! 37th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade & Celebration
The City of Long Beach and Office of Sixth District Councilwoman Dr. Suely Saro proudly present the 37th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration, a family-friendly event honoring the life, legacy and values of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The event will take place Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Central Long Beach.
The annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration is a longstanding tradition that celebrates the diverse community of Central Long Beach. This festival serves to honor and keep alive the ideals of Dr. King through arts, remembrance and meaningful perspectives.
PARADE AND GRAND MARSHAL INFORMATION
The 2025 festivities will begin with the parade kickoff at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue and Anaheim Street. View a map of the parade route here. The City proudly presents the following Grand Marshals who will lead the 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade:
Dale E. Clinton is a longtime community volunteer and advocate for social justice. Her lifelong commitment to uplifting marginalized communities reflects Dr. King’s vision of justice and opportunity for all. She gained national attention in the 60s for her powerful letter to President Lyndon Johnson defending the rights of poor mothers, which was published nationwide and entered into the Congressional Record. Her advocacy led to appointments on local community boards and a career in human relations in Long Beach, where she fought for welfare rights, fair housing and economic development.
Samuel “Skip” and Beth Keesal exemplify Dr. King’s vision of service and uplifting others through their extensive philanthropic efforts. Founders of the Keesal, Young & Logan Charitable Foundation, they have contributed nearly $7 million to organizations focused on education, health, children and the arts. Their commitment extends beyond financial support, with active volunteerism and pro bono legal work benefitingmany local organizations. Skip’s leadership in founding a firm rooted in community service and Beth’s dedication to supporting impactful initiatives reflect their shared belief in advancing equality and opportunity.
Veronica Garcia Dávalos, a Long Beach resident since 1994, embodies Dr. King’s commitment to service and community empowerment. With over 30 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, she has dedicated her career to advancing education, equity and opportunity. As the Executive Director/CEO of the Long Beach Public Library Foundation, she fosters access to knowledge and resources for all. She also co-founded the United Latino Fund and National Latina Alliance, served as president of Leadership Long Beach, and championed civic accountability as a member of the Citizens Police Complaint Commission, among her work with many other community organizations.
Chanwantha Sam Limon, a trailblazing public servant and community leader, exemplifies Dr. King’s vision of empowering others to create meaningful change. As the first Cambodian American woman to hold a chief position in human resources for the largest social services department in the nation, she shattered barriers professionally while also dedicating over 35 years to uplifting her community. She is an advocate for cultural preservation, education and philanthropy, co-founding the Spirit of Khmer Angkor arts program for children and leading efforts like scholarship programs, toy drives and aid for families in need. Her work on the Board of the Aquarium of the Pacific and as co-chair of the Long Beach Sankranta reflects her deep commitment to fostering cross-cultural collaboration and celebrating diversity.
The 2024 Long Beach Poly High School Boys and Girls Track and Field teams exemplify Dr. King's ideals of determination, unity and perseverance. As the most decorated high school track program in California history, these young athletes continue to inspire with their extraordinary achievements. This year, the Jackrabbits boys’ team won their first state title since 2011, and both teams captured CIF-SS championships, demonstrating remarkable resilience under immense pressure. Guided by their dedicated coach, Crystal Irving, and a team of committed assistants, the athletes have showcased teamwork, discipline, and an unyielding spirit that reflect Dr. King’s belief in striving for excellence together. The legacy of these young champions stands as a testament to the power of collective effort and a shared vision for success.
The 2024 Wilson High School Girls’ Track and Field team embodies the spirit of Dr. King by honoring legacy and inspiring change through their extraordinary achievements. Under the leadership of Coaches Neil Nelson and Shannon Fisher, the Bruins made history by defending their state title, achieving the first back-to-back state championship in the school’s history. This accomplishment underscores the strength, discipline and unity of these young athletes, who have built upon Wilson’s proud legacy to create a new standard of excellence. With five of the school’s six CIF State championships coming from the girls’ track program, the Bruins have become a beacon of inspiration for Long Beach. The culture of empowerment fostered by their coaches reflects Dr. King’s belief in uplifting the next generation to achieve their potential and drive meaningful progress.
PARK CELEBRATION
After the conclusion of the parade, the park celebration will take place from noon to 5 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Park (1950 Lemon Ave.). Attendees can enjoy live entertainment, a kid’s zone, food and merchandise vendors, and more. The entertainment lineup is as follows, with emcee AJ Luke and intermittent sets by DJ Infinite E. throughout the day:
- 12:15-12:30 p.m. – Performance by Gravity Dance Company
- 12:30-1 p.m. – Performance by bass player and artist AJ Luke
- 1-1:30 p.m. – Program and announcements
- 2-3 p.m. – Performance by saxophonist JQuailT
- 3:30-4:30 p.m. – Performance by Pastor Funk
- 4:30-5 p.m. – DJ Infinite E. with AJ Luke
The City is also seeking friendly, eager and enthusiastic volunteers to support the parade and park celebration. Volunteers must be ages 18 years or older, and responsibilities will include standing at barricades to ensure the safety and enjoyment of parade participants and spectators, staffing the information booth, trash collection, and general assistance with event set up and break down. Residents, local businesses, nonprofit organizations and community groups interested in volunteering at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration can find more information and sign up for volunteer shifts via the online registration link.
ABOUT THE EVENT
The City’s Racial Equity and Reconciliation report aligns with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s core values of unity, civil rights and standing together. The report emphasizes the importance of addressing systemic racism and historical inequities that have harmed Black, Latinx, Cambodian and other communities of color, and highlights how systemic barriers in areas like health, education and economic wellbeing have persisted. The report calls for centering those historically excluded to achieve true justice and equity for all members of the community, a core value exemplified through Dr. King’s work, who emphasized the importance of collective liberation, recognizing that justice for one group uplifts the entire community. Long Beach is committed to honoring Dr. King’s legacy by working to eliminate systemic barriers, promote shared prosperity and ensure all voices are valued and heard in the pursuit of racial equity.
EVENT SPONSORS
The 2025 Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration is presented by the City of Long Beach and Office of Sixth District Councilwoman Dr. Suely Saro with additional sponsorship from: Port of Long Beach, Visit Long Beach, Long Beach City College, Office of First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas, Office of Second District Councilwoman Cindy Allen, Office of Vice Mayor Roberto Uranga, Office of Ninth District Councilwoman Dr. Joni Ricks Oddie, Long Beach Fire Fighters Local 372, April Parker Foundation, Edison International, IBEW Local 11, California Resources Corporation, United Healthcare, Los Angeles Refinery, Oxbow, Office of Third District Councilwoman Kristina Duggan, Office of Fifth District Councilwoman Megan Kerr, Long Beach Airport, TCC Family Health, Miller Children’s, Long Beach Transit, Long Beach Police Officers Association, Shoreline Village, Elite Skills Development, Cassidy’s Corner Cafe, African American Cultural Center of Long Beach and AAA.
