Hundreds celebrate Black History Month in Palm Springs

Hundreds of people lined the sidewalks in Palm Springs Saturday to celebrate diversity.

Spectators for the annual Black History Month Parade said it couldn’t have been a more beautiful day to celebrate their heritage.

Drum lines stomped down the streets, girls twirled batons and Tuskegee Airmen rolled by in sports cars.

Zeta Jackson is Grand Marshall John Terry’s aunt.

She said as the first African American student to win the Palm Springs Unified School District Spelling Bee, he sets a good example.

“He wants to go to UCLA or USC. So he knows what his goals are. We’re all pushing for him. We’re all working very closely with him and we hope that one day he’ll be mayor here,” Jackson said.

Dell Roberts organizes the Black History Month parade in Riverside. He said he’s happy to relax and watch this one.

“I enjoy a parade. I like parades, but putting them on you don’t get to enjoy them,” Roberts said.

He said this parade is for everyone.

“You see white, black, brown and that’s one of the beauties of it. To celebrate black history is important because a lot of people don’t know black history,” Roberts said.

Some spectators showed solidarity, wearing “Black Lives Matter” shirts.

Eje Ash said no matter what, it’s important to remember who you are.

“I think over the years a lot of tradition has been lost in the shuffle, so this is tradition, right here,” Ash said.

She said her favorite part of Black History Month is all the delicious soul food.

The parade ended with a bang, wrapping up at Frances Stevens Park with an afternoon of food, fun and celebration.