Celebrating Legacy, Culture and Community at Long Beach’s 2026 MLK Parade    

The City of Long Beach has announced details for the 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration, taking place Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. This annual event honors the enduring legacy of Dr. King through arts, remembrance and reflection, while celebrating the rich diversity and community spirit of Central Long Beach.

Parade Information & Grand Marshals

The celebration will begin with the parade kickoff at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue and Anaheim Street. The City is proud to recognize the following Grand Marshals, whose leadership and service reflect Dr. King’s values of justice, compassion and community empowerment.

Youth Recognition:

Bruce Brown has exemplified civic engagement and public service for more than 31 years through his dedication to Martin Luther King, Jr. Park and the surrounding community. A Recreation Specialist with the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM), Brown has served as a trusted mentor, coach and community leader, guiding generations of youth, fostering positive relationships and strengthening neighborhood connections. His leadership has shaped lives, careers and a lasting sense of belonging at the park.

Philanthropy:

Tito Rodriguez, founder of the Local Hearts Foundation, is known throughout Long Beach as “Hood Santa” for his generosity and compassion. Through his nonprofit work, Rodriguez has provided thousands of families with food, clothing and gifts—particularly during the holidays—building trust, joy and hope in communities often overlooked.

Arts, Sports and Culture:

Kimberly Benoit is a community leader and creative visionary dedicated to bringing people together through culture and the arts. As President of Rainbow Promotions LLC, she has produced and managed numerous community events, including Long Beach Carnaval and the Long Beach Jazz Festival. Her work blends entertainment with purpose, creating vibrant spaces that celebrate culture and connection.

Civic Engagement and Service:

Erroll Parker has devoted his life to justice, service and civic engagement. During a 30-year career with the Department of Parks and Recreation, he worked to ensure inclusive public spaces while mentoring youth, coaching, founding a summer camp, co-founding the African American Cultural Center of Long Beach and supporting faith-based and educational initiatives across the city.

Social Justice Advocacy:

Commissioner Robbie N. Butler is a dynamic leader and advocate committed to empowering underserved communities. As CEO of Speak Up Enterprises and President of the Speak Up Empowerment Foundation, she focuses on supporting self-sufficiency and opportunity, particularly for single mothers. She also serves on the City’s Equity and Human Relations Commission and the Black Health Equity Collaborative Long Beach.

Community Achievement:

The SIX LB is a grassroots organization whose work has strengthened Central Long Beach through service, advocacy and community building. Through workshops, family-centered events, health and wellness programs, hospital partnerships and large-scale food distributions, The SIX LB supports hundreds of families each year while advocating for safety, equity and neighborhood investment.

Other honorees include:

• Darick J. Simpson, President of the Earl B. and Loraine H. Miller Foundation, a nonprofit executive, author and producer who has helped direct more than $6 million toward improving the health and wellbeing of Long Beach children. He also co-created PADNET.tv, restoring public access television to Long Beach, and currently serves as board president of the African American Cultural Center of Long Beach.

• Mariko Kahn, a trailblazer in advancing mental health equity for Asian Pacific Islander communities and former Executive Director of Pacific Asian Counseling Services. Her impact includes expanding access for Cambodians, preserving oral histories, integrating arts and healing and strengthening community clinics.

• Vice Mayor Roberto Uranga, Seventh District Councilmember, representing Wrigley and West Long Beach. Uranga is a longtime advocate for economic investment, labor, education and environmental justice.

• Honorable Tonia Reyes Uranga, former Seventh District Councilmember and respected community leader committed to equity and opportunity for working families.

Following the parade, the community celebration will take place from noon to 5 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Park (1950 Lemon Ave.). The event will feature live entertainment, a kids’ zone, food and merchandise vendors and more. Emcee Supernatural and DJ sets by Urban Society Long Beach will keep the energy going throughout the day.

Entertainment lineup:

• 12:15 p.m. – Flag Ceremony by Long Beach Polytechnic High School JROTC

• 12:20 p.m. – Antioch Church will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing”

• 12:30 to 1 p.m. – Performance by Gravity Dance Company

• 1 to 1:30 p.m. – Program and announcements

• 1:45 to 2:30 p.m. – Performance by DeMay

• 2:30 to 2:45 p.m. – Poem readings by the winners of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Poetry Contest

• 3 to 3:30 p.m. – Performance by Kristien Owens

• 4 to 5 p.m. – Performance by Anita Wilson

The 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration is presented by the City of Long Beach and the Office of Sixth District Councilwoman Dr. Suely Saro, with support from the Port of Long Beach, Long Beach Airport and City Council offices across Long Beach.

For more information, visit longbeach.gov/mlkparade.