New Group Tries Again for Black History Parade

Plans for a Black History Month parade, canceled twice in the past two years when organizers either failed to raise enough money or required permits, have been launched by new organizers this year.

Chuck Mosley, owner of a balloon company in Santa Ana, and two associates have formed the nonprofit M.W.B. Foundation, planned several fund-raisers and have set a parade date of Feb. 5.

Mosley said he hopes to raise $25,000 to $30,000 in the next few months to cover the costs of police and permit fees.

“We’re looking for input from anyone in the community. We want them to call, make donations or help out in any way,” he said.

Mosley said the theme of the parade will be “bringing unity to the community.”

The first fund-raiser, an “International Taste of Soul,” is set for Oct. 9 at 10 a.m. at the Southwest Senior Center in Santa Ana. Other fund-raising events include a community basketball game at UC Irvine’s Crawford Hall on Oct. 23, a gospel concert on Nov. 23 and a wine-and-cheese tasting at the Santa Ana Old Court House on Nov. 27.

The Orange County Black History parade, which had been planned for February, 1992, was canceled when organizers were unable to raise the $7,500 permit fee the city requested. Santa Ana had financed the event for 13 years but pulled out in 1992, citing budgetary problems.

This February, the parade was canceled because organizers failed to complete paperwork for security and city permits in time.

Mosley said previous plans failed because the African-American community is “so dispersed here.”

Although the parade still is in the planning stages, Mosley said he envisions 10 to 15 floats, marching bands and celebrities. Mosley would not say how much money has been raised to date. No celebrities, floats or bands have been commissioned.

The city has not yet issued a permit for the parade, said Joyce Lawson of Recreation and Community Services for the city of Santa Ana.

The two other organizers are Ernestina Wright, who runs a secretarial and word-processing business from her Anaheim home, and Ray Brantley, a civil engineer for the city.