The streets of Anaheim were filled with song and dance last weekend as thousands gathered to celebrate Black culture and history.
Community organizations, schools, dance groups, local Black sororities and fraternities marched down Anaheim Blvd. during the 45th annual OC Black History Parade in celebration of the start of Black History Month.
“This year’s theme is ‘We Are One,’” said Dwayne Shipp, Executive Director of the Orange County Heritage Council. “So with everything going on in the world, especially California, our theme ties into what we are experiencing now. People are coming together, and they’re sending resources. There are people on the ground doing the work.”
“We are still celebrating while doing the work in participating and serving our community.”
Dimetria Jackson, a resident of Irvine, attended to see her two boys in the 100 Black Men of Orange County segment of the parade.
“It’s important we share black history with the next generation,” Jackson said. “We just want to expose them so they know where they come from and all the contributions that people who look like them have made.”
Keva Dembaye, a 41-year old Irvine resident, also has a son in the 100 Black Men of Orange County organization. On top of the parade, she celebrates black history month by teaching her son about different public figures.
“We try to talk to our son about not only the famous figures from the past but also those that are forgotten, so we can pass the baton and keep them from being truly forgotten,” Dembaye said.
While Orange County’s Black community is relatively small — approximately 2% — these residents have historically had a significant impact on the region.
This year’s Unity Festival had the largest ‘food village’ of previous years, with 30 unique vendors offering soul food, international food and other classic festival eats.
Karneisha Christian, owner of the Pucker Up Lemonade Company, has been selling at the festival for five years.
“I love that [the festival] brings together all of Black Orange County,” she said.
This festival is just one stop for them, as they take the month to pop-up at other Black history events as well.
The first parade took place off Santa Ana’s Raitt St. in 1980.
Originally known as the Black History Parade and Cultural Faire, the celebration was founded by Santa Ana resident Helen M. Shipp, who also served as president and co-founder of the Orange County Black Historical Commission.
[Read: Recognizing Orange County’s Black History]
The Shipps championed Black pride and excellence amidst their neighbors – a community of Latino, Cambodian, Tongan, Vietnamese and Samoan families.
Multi-cultural unity is still emphasized in the parade decades later.
“The purpose of the Orange County Black History Parade and Unity Festival is fostering community engagement and unity,” Shipp said. “We are celebrating our shared history.”
“The parade and the festival serve as a platform for connection and education, and as a celebration of rich cultural heritage within our community.”
Observed in February annually, Black History Month began as “Negro History Week” in the 1920s, founded by historian Carter G. Woodson to honor African American achievements. The celebration was timed to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass in February, expanding to a month-long in 1976.
“In 2025 Black History Month is particularly significant given what may feel like a looming national sentiment to erase diverse lived experiences,” said Dr. Mark Hopson, Professor of Communication and Director of Africana Studies at Chapman University.
“Yet many people understand the value behind a month dedicated to this part of US American history. Indeed, California and the United States are strengthened by the contributions of various people.”
“Black History Month is about US history. It is about today,” he said. “It is about forces that chip away at our collective consciousness. It is about understanding that race and racism are not mere coincidence or figments of our imagination.”
“It is about the reality that students can graduate from high school or college with little to no knowledge of Black contributions to society.”
Erika Taylor is a Voice of OC Tracy Wood Reporting Fellow and photojournalist. You can find her on Instagram @camerakeepsrolling or email at etaylor@voiceofoc.org