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Deemed “A family reunion” by R&B Sensation and the ’22 Grand Marshal Mr. Kenny Lattimore; and echoed by all that attended, SOCAL’s Biggest Black History Parade and Orange County’s most celebrated event is back for its 43rd year!
The 43rd Annual Orange County Black History Parade & Unity Festival takes place on Saturday, February 4, 2023, from 10 am – 5pm with great food, entertainment, vendors, celebrities, college fair, art contest and more!
Adding to the celebration, OCHC PROUDLY ANNOUNCES ADAI LAMAR, 102.3 Radio Free KJLH Local Host The Steve Harvey Morning Show, as the 2023 GRAND MARSHAL!
Millions of Los Angeles radio listeners tune into Adai Lamar every morning as a trusted source of news, information, and trends on the Steve Harvey Morning Show on 102.3 KJLH radio station (owned by Stevie Wonder).
Adai Lamar is known for having the inside scoop on the issues and topics that are important to the communities. She is a style diva and sets the bar high with her famous Stiletto Strut, a widely popular fashion event conceptualized by Adai, where her fashionista fans rock fabulous stilettos and celebrate their impeccable style and love for community service in a super fun setting. The event has become such a hit in the Los Angeles market, Adai has been approached by fans to roll the event out nationwide. A bonified “travelista”, Adai jets across the globe to review fabulous travel destinations and discover fashion treasures for her growing community of adventurists. A girly girl with a healthy dose of daredevil, you will find Adai rock climbing, swimming with sharks, joy riding on an ATV, stock car racing and digging in her heels to any given athletic challenge.
Her credo. “See Something Amazing! Do Something Amazing! Wear Something Amazing!” Adai has a healthy zeal for discovery that is contagious. She is like a trusted girlfriend who gives the inside scoop not just on news, trends and current events, but on wish list travel destinations for people who love to “go”. Adai has visited and reviewed some of the most coveted travel destinations around the globe, including South Africa, Mexico, France and more. She goes with a purpose to reveal for her followers and fans the coolest bars, restaurants, attractions and natural beauty experiences to check out on their next travel excursion.
As a seasoned urban radio vet, Adai wakes more than a million Los Angeles listeners every weekday morning, 6am-10am as the Los Angeles voice for the Steve Harvey Morning Show on 102.3 KJLH radio station. Trusted for her community outreach and keeping listeners in the know with an honest opinion and feedback, Adai boasts more than a decade of broadcast experience. A beloved radio personality, Adai is a trailblazer as the first African American woman to lead a Los Angeles morning radio show. She is a noted community champion and advocate for a host of important causes including, Jenesee Center, Ronald McDonald House, Boys & Girls Club, AARP, Susan G. Komen, Brotherhood Crusade and Los Angeles Job Corp.
Follow Adai on Twitter and Instagram @adailamar, find her on Facebook @adailamar1. To learn about Adai’s latest community projects, travel adventures, Angels Unawares Charity and upcoming MixHot Podcast visit AdaiLamar.com.
Produced by the Orange County Heritage Council (OCHC) under the leadership of OCHC President Dwayne Shipp, the goal for the annual event is to continue the traditions and culture of African Americans by honoring the achievements and contributions of black history.
The ’22 OC Black History was celebrated with R&B sensation Mr. Kenny Lattimore, Famed Tae Bo Founders Mr. Billy Blanks, Fox Soul General Manager Mr. James Dubois, Gospel Artist Mr. Brent Jones, Grammy Nominee and R&B Artist Mr. Aloe Blacc, Vocalist and Pianist Mr. Francois Dean, Best Selling Author and Reality Star Omarosa, Actresses Layla Crawford and Daniele Lawson of hit movie “King Richard” and over 10,000 of family friendly community attendees.
Media coverages: ABC7, KTLA, FOX, FOX SOUL, GETTY and more!
To see highlights, please watch videos:
’23 Parade Talents Include:
Dani B JAIA– Recording Artist – Dani B JAIA, member of Klymaxx ft Cheryl Cooley, CEO – Faith House Prod, Show Host of Heart Of Worship w/Dani B JAIA, Actress
SINGING BLACK NATIONAL ATHEN opening parade
Brandon Larkins – Actor General Hospital
Angeliques Bates – Actress/Humanitarian/Mental Health Advocate/Founder Host of “The Evening Showdown” podcast, Tidal’s “Bonnet Chronicles”, Nickelodeon’s “All That”, Netflix, Comedy Central, BET
Adam Blackstone – Grammy/Emmy
Kheris Rogers – 16 Year Old CEO & Creator of Flexin’ In My Complexion Apparel Line and Children’s Book author of debut book “Shine Bright” (HarperCollins).
Stone City Band, Raydio Ft Arnell Carmichael – Concert in San Bernardino evening of parade
Steven Littles – actor, director, commercial voice over
Montana- actress, singer-songwriter, musician, dancer, and advocate. Young Artist Awards, Young Entertainer Awards, Amazon Prime TV series, “2Real4U.” Montana has opened for Jeffrey Osborne, Jaleel White aka Steve Urkel (Sitcom, “Family Matters”), Kechi Okwuchi (“America’s Got Talent” Season 12 Finalist)
Mychal-Bella Rayne Bowman – 7 Emmy Nominated/Golden Globe winner, seen on FORBES, ESPN, PBS & more!
Buffalo Soldiers/Iron Men – AFTER PARADE- bikes will park at CAR SHOW – In 1897, members of the fledgling 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps left Missoula, Mont., headed out on a 41-day, 1,900-mile ride to St. Louis, Mo. They were made up of all Black enlisted U.S. Army personnel, known as Buffalo Soldiers, and were greeted by a crowd of more than 10,000 people when they arrived in Missouri.
Amen Joseph – SNOWFALL
Kim Cruise – FINALIST of THE VOICE
Darius McCray – Actor
DJ Battle Cat / Krayzie Bone / DJ Pozition – Legendary Hip Hop Rappers/DJ – riding in low riders “Building Communities Through Hip Hop”
A’lasia Simone – Actress, model, host – HBO “Insecure”, Showtime “Shameless”, Principle is Disney Commercial
Tanya Nolan – Singer – The TX native is currently enjoying the success of her 3rd Billboard Top 20 R&B single, “PACE YOURSELF” featuring Grammy nominated Recording Artist Raheem DeVaughn. Tanya is also the proud owner of the biggest school facility in the state of Texas. Later this summer, Tanya Nolan will be releasing her new EP. She can be found at @IAMTANYANOLAN on all socials.
*talent subject to change
ACTIVITIES & SCHEDULE AT THE UNITY FESTIVAL:
YOUTH VILLAGE: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, Orange County Alumnae Chapter Managed by Wanda Reynolds, Coordinator
· Youth Entertainment
· Senior College $10,000 Scholarships sponsored by Van’s
· Van’s Creative Corner
· Live Music Fest at the James Weldon Stage
· Youth Art Contest (k-12 ) – Artwork will be on display in the OCHC Exhibit Art Exhibit at the MUZEO Museum and Cultural Center beginning February 18, 2023
HEALTH VILLAGE: National Council of Negro Women OC under the direction of DeVera Heard, Coordinator
Onsite testing, healthcare issues, dental care booth with special handouts gifts for children and more.
· Abrazar, Inc – multicultural, multigenerational community-based agency whose core work serves economically challenged and fixed-income populations access quality health care, dental care, food, education, housing, translation and transportation services
· Advance OC – Advance OC’s mission is to use innovation and strategic philanthropy to address inequities in Orange County communities.
· CalOptima – Will share information about CalOptima Medi-Cal benefits and services.
· Caregiver Resource Center Orange County (Providence) – Will provide services and support for family caregivers in Orange County.
· Chorus Innovations, Orange County Health Care Agency (OC Navigator) – Introduce OC Navigator, a tool to find and connect with local resources.
· HEAAL Collective (Health Equity for African American’s League) – Currently surveying the Black community of Orange County to uncover and address the inequities that affect our health.
Our goal at HEAAL is to identify the social determinants of health outcomes within the Black American community in Orange County. We are currently surveying Black residents and workers in Orange County, and those using our medical resources, but live outside of Orange County. We have provided the link to the survey, our website, an email address and have attached is the flyer with a QR code. http://www.heaaloc.org/survey/
· HerStory, Inc. – to provide a safe space for pregnant and postpartum BIPOC families to learn, create community, and thrive.
· The Multi-Ethnic Collaborative of Community Agencies (MECCA) – Mental Health/Substance Use Prevention Education, Older Adult Services, Home Visitation
· National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) – Health Village is hosted by NCNW OC and located at Anaheim Blvd and Center Street
· Norooz Clinic Foundation – Mental health clinic offering affordable and accessible mental health services
· OneLegacy Foundation – Organ Procurement Organization
· Planned Parenthood (Orange and San Bernadino) – Information on reproductive health care and education
A special THANK YOU to our SPONSORS:
- The City of Anaheim – The city of Anaheim has proudly served as host city of the OCHC Black History Parade & Unity Fair since 2010, with the city’s mayor and other City Council members taking part in the parade, use of Pearson Park for staging and extensive city planning day of the event support
- Van’s – $10,000 for scholarships
· Disneyland – $10,000 for parade – “ The Disneyland Resort is proud to support the Orange County Heritage Council’s 43rd Annual Orange County Black History Parade and Unity Festival.”
