Annual MLK Jr. Kingdom Day Parade A Success

(L-R) Kimberly Goode a Sr. VP of Blue Shield of California, the presenting sponsor the MLK, Jr. Kingdom Day Parade, Grand Marshal, Dave Roberts, LA Dodgers, Dr. Adrian Dove, President & CEO, Kingdom Day Parade, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, and Mistress of Ceremonies, Leslie Sykes, Co-Anchor, ABC7 News.  Photo Credit: Maurice Walker

Los Angeles, CA — Thousand attended the 34th MLK, Jr. Kingdom Day Parade produced by Dr. Adrian Dove, president, and CEO. Street spectators were treated to a day filled with history coupled with music and dancing to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dave Roberts, Manager, L.A. Dodgers was this year's Grand  Marshal. Congresswoman Maxine Waters, a previous parade grand marshal, gave a riveting speech, while Leslie Sykes, ABC7 co-anchor, was mistress of ceremonies and hosted the television coverage with Michele Tuzee, ABC7 co-anchor.

ABC7 broadcast the 34th Annual Kingdom Day Parade Live on Monday, January 21, 2019, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The parade was proud to welcome back its presenting sponsor; Blue Shield of California.

The Kingdom Day Parade honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and has grown from its humble beginnings into the largest and longest-running birthday celebration of Dr. King, Jr. in the nation! This year, 2019 would have been Dr. King’s 90th birthday. Although he never reached the age of 40, his legacy will live forever. This year's theme is “Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds, Healthy Democracy”.

The three-mile parade route began at Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd & Western Avenue, and proceeded west to Crenshaw and then South thereupon to Vernon Ave, with a post-parade festival at the Leimert Park ending of the Parade.

The Kingdom Day Parade’s community and corporate/supporters include the current Presenting Sponsor, Blue Shield of California. Additional sponsors include the Los Angeles Dodgers and The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital, Farmers Insurance, Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw Mall, Wells Fargo Bank, U.S. Bank, KNBC Channel 4, KTLA Channel 5, Radio Free 102.3 KJLH, The Real 92.3 Home of “Big Boy,” 94.7 The Wave, Power 106 (105.9) Hip Hop Live; KDAY 93.5- Back in the Day, Downtown LA Motors-Mercedes, AIDS HealthCare Foundation, Denny’s Crenshaw, LAUSD’s Beyond The Bell, McDonalds, and Wescom Credit Union. The parade is also appreciative of the in-kind and moral support from the City and County of Los Angeles and their various departments, as well as the Los Angele Unified School District and METRO, along with the businesses and residents and the alignment.