First Black Rose Queen

Gerald Freeny Makes History As The First African American President Of The Tournament of Roses

On January 19, The Pasadena Tournament of Roses® Board of Directors confirmed Gerald Freeny as the first African American president of the organization. Freeny will provide leadership for the 130th Rose Parade® presented by Honda and the Rose Bowl Game® presented by Northwestern Mutual on Tuesday, January 1, 2019. He has already gotten to work for the 2018-2019 Tournament of Roses year, deeming “The Melody of Life” as the Rose theme.