[GALLERY] MLK Black History Month Parade & Block Party Attracted Crowds From Across the State

DURHAM, NC – Spectacular Magazine hosted the 17th Annual N.C. MLK Black History Month Parade & Block Party last Saturday, Feb. 2, in Durham.

The festivities started out with a brunch in the Alfonso Elder Student Union at North Carolina Central University. The brunch featured the parade’s grand marshals: N.C. School Boards Association President Minnie Forte-Brown and N.C. Association of Counties Immediate Past President Brenda Howerton. Presenting sponsor was GoDurham. Other sponsors were Square 1 Bank, ABC11, Foxy 107/104, K97.5, The Light 103.9 and Bull City Inflatables.

The next event following the brunch was the parade. Vettes Unlimited from Fayetteville, North Carolina returned to the parade for their sixth time.

“We are the only all-black, all-retired military corvette club in the area,” the president of Vettes Unlimited, Clavis Taybron said. “…Our mission is to support Ms. Coley with Spectacular Magazine, and carry whoever she designates us to carry.”

People lined up along Fayetteville Street in anticipation of the parade. A Durham resident, Antoinette Hawes was one of these people.

“I don’t have any expectations of the parade,” Hawes said. “It’s actually the parade that bought us all out here. So, as far as I’m concerned, the parade has already met its objective by bringing us out.”

Saturday’s festivities also offered the opportunity for local black-owned businesses to sell their goods.

Danyel Oppiah, an owner of Undeniably Gh, a business that sells handmade fashion apparel from west Africa, was delighted to return to another event hosted by Spectacular Magazine.

“More than anything for us, it’s about connecting with the community,” Oppiah said. “We love just getting to meet different people of all ages, and just giving them a little taste of Africa here in the states: here in Durham.”

Vendors, such as Undeniably Gh, also connected with residents outside of Durham.

Two attendees of the block party and parade, Braxton and Chalis Henderson, made the hour or so trip from Warrenton, NC with their kids and nephew.

“Well,” Chalis said, “we were looking for something cultural and family-friendly. So, just an awesome time to introduce our kids and nephew to just black history and black pride: And, it’s beautiful.”