Community activist and event organizer Brandon Lamar had a vision to bring the many generations of Pasadena’s Black community together to talk about how collectively they could work to build a better and stronger Pasadena. On Saturday, April 1, that vision became a reality when almost 200 community residents gathered to share insight and work together.
Gerald Freeny will once again be riding down Colorado Boulevard in the 133rd Annual Tournament of Roses Parade. However, this year unlike in 2019 when Freeny rode in the parade as the Tournament President, this year he will be riding as an organ donor recipient on the Cedar Sinai DonateLife Float.
Here are some of the highlights from 2019
The parade’s 40 floral-covered floats, 18 equestrian groups and 20 marching bands from around the world included African Americans reflecting “The Melody of Life” theme.
Here is a list of the African American appointments for the year of 2018
Chaka Khan, a 10-time Grammy Award-winning R&B/soul artist, was named today as the grand marshal of 2019 Tournament of Roses.
Gerald Freeny was recognized for his unprecedented and historic achievement – becoming the first African American to ascend to the respected position of president of the Tournament of Roses
The event honored 2019 Tournament of Roses president
This past week, on the California State Assembly Floor, Assemblymember Chris Holden recognized Gerald Freeny for his confirmation as the first African American president of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Board of Directors. Freeny will provide leadership for the 130th Rose Parade on Tuesday, January 1, 2019.
The tournament of Roses recently announced the involvement of the Alabama State University and the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University marching bands for the 2019 Rose Parade.
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.
The Pasadena Tournament of Roses® Board of Directors has confirmed Gerald Freeny as President for the 2018-2019 Tournament of Roses year. Freeny is the first African-American to serve in the position as President. He 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.