It’s ‘a Time to Look Backward and Forward’

They represent only about 1% of Orange County’s 2.6 million residents, but African Americans showed up in strong numbers Saturday at an annual parade celebrating black history.

Despite gloomy skies, an estimated 5,000 revelers of diverse backgrounds came out for the sixth annual Black History Parade and Cultural Faire in downtown Santa Ana. Like a blessing, the El Nino rains of last week temporarily stopped. The clouds thinned and the sun briefly greeted the 77 schools and community organizations that marched down a stretch of Civic Center Drive.

“This is a miracle day,” said Chuck Mosley, founder and co-chair of the Mission with Benevolence Foundation, the sponsor of the event, on Saturday. Friday “we were here soaking wet and drenched as we were setting up. Today, we had this burst of liquid sunshine.”

Onlookers cheered on students, community leaders and religious groups as they passed. Children on the sidelines freely danced along with the thundering rhythms of marching bands. Parents clapped proudly as youngsters from junior ROTCs and drill teams performed in precise synchronicity. And at one point, the crowd chanted in unison “One race. Human Race,” summing up this year’s parade theme of “United We Stand.”

“This is wonderful and very educational,” said Eva Palomino, who explained to her grandchildren and nieces the significance of activist groups such as the NAACP.

“I wanted the kids to come so that they can learn about their history,” she added.

Gordon Christian, 45, has lived in Santa Ana for 29 years and has never missed a black history parade. That is because this February event often reunites many old friends, he said.

“I’ve seen a lot of black people migrate to other areas over the years,” Christian said. “But every year, many of them travel from far away to come see Santa Ana’s parade and meet old friends.”

Retired teacher Barbara Hill, for example, ran into a former third-grade student she taught nearly 20 years ago. Hill, who was the Santa Ana Unified School District’s first African American teacher, said such encounters are common during this annual celebration.

“What makes African Americans in Orange County unique is that we don’t have a large community as Los Angeles does,” said Hill, who participated in the parade with a group she founded, Women in the NAACP of Orange County. “That’s why this event is so important. It’s a time for us to remember our history. This is a time to look backward and forward.”

Event organizer Mosley added that the festivities are not exclusively for African Americans. The goal is to promote cultural understanding and acceptance, he said.

“We try to get everyone involved,” Mosley said. “Diversity will help us last as a people.”

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Black History Month Events

Wednesday, Feb. 11

* Concert. Rev. John McReynolds, senior pastor of Second Baptist Church of Santa Ana, performs classic gospel and Negro spirituals as well as music by Handel, Schubert, Brahms and other classical composers, 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Santa Ana, 1010 W. 17th St.

Thursday, Feb. 12

* African American Arts & Culture Film. “Wild Women Don’t Have the Blues,” 7:30 p.m., the Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana.

Saturday, Feb. 14

* Dinner. The Phoenix Committee, a volunteer group associated with the Tustin Marine Corps Air Facility, holds its fourth annual Black History Celebration dinner, 6 p.m. at the Officers Club, Building 791. Tickets are $20 and must be purchased by Tuesday. Information: Gregory Lawrence, (714) 726-2814.

Friday, Feb. 20 and Saturday, Feb. 21

* Concert. Friendship Baptist Church gospel performance, 6 p.m. $10 admission, $15 at door; 17145 Bastanchury Road, Yorba Linda.

Saturday, Feb. 21

* Change the Bank Day. Representatives from black-owned banks visit Orange County to encourage investment in their institutions. Mimi’s Cafe in Tustin, 17231 E. 17th St.; $10 for breakfast, 8-10:30 a.m. Information: (714) 521-8752.

* Women in Red. Biblical ministry workshop; 10 a.m., Greater Light Baptist Church, 1600 W. 3rd St., Santa Ana. Information: (714) 836-9195.

Wednesday, Feb. 25 and Thursday, Feb. 26

* Lecture. Biblical Truth of Blacks in the Bible; Greater Light Baptist Church, 1600 W. 3rd St., Santa Ana. Guest lecturer is William Larue Dillard, pastor of Second Baptist Church in Monrovia.

Thursday, Feb. 26

* African American Arts & Culture Films: “Monday’s Girls” and “Becoming a Woman in Okrika,” 7:30 p.m., Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana.

Friday, Feb. 27

* An Evening with Langston and Martin. Starring Danny Glover and Felix Justice. A performance celebrating the Rev. Martin Luther King and Harlem writer Langston Hughes; question-and-answer period will follow. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine. Tickets $24, $28. Information: (714) 854-4646.

Saturday, Feb. 28

* NAACP Citizens of Distinction Awards Banquet. 7 p.m., Anaheim Marriott. Information: (714) 543-3637.

Source: Times reports; Researched by LISA RICHARDSON / Los Angeles Times