Ben Crump
By Darlene Donloe
Contributing Writer
SOUTH LOS ANGELES – After a monthlong delay due to the devastating Los Angeles wildfires that impacted several communities, the 40th Kingdom Day Parade, a time-honored event that pays tribute to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., will take place Feb. 17.
The Kingdom Day Parade was originally scheduled for Jan. 20.
The parade’s postponement allowed the city to focus on recovery and rebuilding efforts.
Parade officials said that as Los Angeles moves forward, the event stands as a testament to resilience, hope, and the enduring principles championed by King.
This year’s theme, “Peace and Unity, Let It Start With Us,” underscores the community’s commitment to King’s vision of equality and harmony.
This year’s grand marshal is civil rights attorney Ben Crump.
“We are honored to have attorney Ben Crump lead this milestone event,” said Adrian Dove, chairman and executive producer of the Kingdom Day Parade. “His lifelong commitment to justice and advocacy embodies Dr. King’s dream. In the wake of tragedy, our communities are proving that unity is our greatest strength. This parade will serve as a powerful reminder that together, we can overcome any challenge.”
Crump, who has established himself as one of the nation’s foremost lawyers and a tireless advocate for civil rights and social justice, is grateful for the honor.
“As we honor Dr. King’s vision, we also recognize the unbreakable spirit of community in the face of adversity,” Crump said. “Los Angeles has shown extraordinary resilience, and I am humbled to stand alongside those who continue to push forward for justice, healing, and unity.”
Crump’s accomplishments are vast.
Listed among Time magazine’s’ 100 Most Influential People of 2021 and named Lawyers of Distinction’s 2022 Lawyer of the Year, Crump is known as “Black America’s attorney general.”
He has worked on several high-profile and consequential cases, representing the families of Trayvon Martin, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Tyre Nichols and Henrietta Lacks in a landmark medical reparations case and also secured a $626 million settlement for Flint, Michigan, residents affected by contaminated water.
His recent victories include a $310 million verdict for the family of Tyre Sampson, a 14-year-old boy who died in March 2022 after falling from an amusement park ride in Orlando, Florida; and a $98 million verdict for the family of Botham Jean, who was killed by an off-duty Dallas police officer in 2018.
In 2023, he achieved a $45 million settlement for Randy Cox, believed to be the largest pretrial settlement ever in a police brutality case.
Crump’s advocacy before the Massachusetts Supreme Court led to the ruling in favor of a Black woman in the historic case of Tamara Lanier versus Harvard, who sued the university for the possession of the photographs of her enslaved ancestors, which are valued at approximately $100 million.
Netflix featured his career in “Civil,” and St. Thomas University renamed its law school in his honor.
Crump’s documentary “How to Sue the Klan” highlights a pivotal 1982 civil trial against the Ku Klux Klan.
As the founder of Ben Crump Law, he continues to champion justice nationwide.
The Kingdom Day Parade, which will, once again, be televised on KABC from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., has grown over the years, drawing more than 200,000 in-person attendees and reaching more than 1.4 million viewers on-air and online.
The event features a array of marching bands, drill teams, equestrian units and floats, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of Los Angeles.
Highlights of the parade include the return of the Disneyland Resorts, bringing its iconic and beloved characters and Disney cast members to add a touch of magic to the festivities.
In addition, Blue Shield of California returns as the presenting sponsor.
“As we celebrate the 40th Annual Kingdom Day Parade, we invite everyone to honor Dr. King’s legacy through action, compassion and unity,” said Dove, the parade’s chairman and executive producer. “In today’s complex and ever-changing political landscape, the call for peace and understanding has never been more essential.”
This year marks a significant milestone as Dove has announced he is stepping down after this year’s parade.
“This year’s 40th Kingdom Day Parade is not just a celebration, it’s a powerful reminder of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s timeless message of peace, unity and equality,” said Kingdom Day Parade’s President and event producer Sabra Waddy. “As we honor the incredible legacy of Adrian Dove in his final year as our chairman and visionary leader, we also look ahead with excitement and purpose.”
Waddy said next year the organization will embark on a new chapter with plans to unveil an extraordinary addition to the parade.
“This special initiative is designed to help engage youth leaders nationwide to carry Dr. King’s dream forward,” Waddy said. “This parade is about remembering the past and building a brighter future.”
The Kingdom Day Parade considered the world’s largest and longest-running life celebration of King, serves as a tribute to his efforts to promote racial equality and nonviolent civil disobedience.
By celebrating his life and work, the parade, which promotes a culture of diversity, equity and social justice, helps to keep his legacy alive and inspire future generations to continue his mission.
It’s also a way of promoting unity by bringing together people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and ages, fostering a sense of community.
The parade will follow its traditional three-mile route through the heart of South Los Angeles, starting at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Western Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, proceeding west along MLK to Crenshaw Boulevard, and continuing south on Crenshaw to Vernon Avenue, culminating with a festival in Leimert Park at Crenshaw and Vernon. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to secure seating and fully immerse themselves in the festivities.
For those unable to attend in person, the parade will be aired via delayed broadcast from 6 to 8 p.m. on ABC7 and streamed worldwide on Hulu, ensuring that King’s message of peace and unity reaches a global audience.
The Kingdom Day Parade was founded 39 years ago, in 1985, by the late Larry Grant, a retired military officer and banker in San Diego.
Several years later, he relocated the parade to South Los Angeles, where he was joined by Celes King III and Dove, who were then serving as the Congress of Racial Equality California chairman and president, respectively.
The parade’s transfer of location from San Diego to Los Angeles also coincided with the street renaming of Martin Luther King Boulevard from its previous name, Santa Barbara Avenue.
Darlene Donloe is a freelance reporter for Wave Newspapers who covers South Los Angeles. She can be reached at ddonloe@gmail.com.
