Staff Writer
The Zeta Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is pleased to announce the 37th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade to be held on Sunday, January 15, 2017, beginning at 2:00 p.m. This year’s historic gathering is will be Grand Marshalled by Dr. John E. Warren who serves as the Co-Publisher of San Diego’s oldest and largest African American newspaper, The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint, which is in its 56th year. Warren and his late wife, Gerri, purchased the newspaper in 1987, shortly after they moved to San Diego from Washington, D.C.
Warren has a long history of public and community service both in San Diego and Washington, D.C. where he worked as a staff member to the three famous African American members of congress: Adam Clayton Powell of New York; Shirley Chisholm of New York, and Augustus F. Hawkins of California. During his 12 years with the U.S. Congress, he also served as a legislative staff member to the House Committee on Education and Labor. Warren served nine years as an elected member of the D.C. Board of Education and three years as an elected member to the Board of Directors of the National School Boards Association.
While co-publishing the newspaper, Warren has served as a weekly news commentator on KPBS Radio and television for over eight years, and is the recipient of several Associated Press awards for other radio talk and news programs. He is a two time graduate of Howard University with undergraduate and law degrees, with his graduate studies being at the University of Southern California in Public Administration. He also held a commission as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserves, having graduated Officer Candidate School, Ft. Benning, Georgia.
“It was with an overwhelmingly unanimous vote that Dr. Warren was chosen to be the Grand Marshall of this year’s parade,” shared Dr. Robert Matthew, who chairs the event.
“It’s an honor to be a part of continuing such an important tradition to our community. The MLK Parade still makes an important and necessary statement,” shared Dr. Warren.
The 2017 edition of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade is to be held rain-or-shine. This year’s King and Queen for this year’s edition are: Bryanna Shaw of Francis Parker High School and Isaiah Love of Santa Fe Christian School. Completing the royal court are Rayonna Davis of Gompers Preparatory Academy; Olivia Lewis of the Academy of Our Lady of Peace; Caszmani Walker of Crawford High, and Bryan Shaw of Francis Parker, all of which have demonstrated that they each have high goals for their future and are capable and willing to work to achieve their goals.
The Parade route is along the foot of downtown, along the waterfront. It begins at Grape Street and N. Harbor Drive. The parade will proceed south on N. Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway and Seaport Village where it will end/disband. (The judges’ booth/stage will be across from the Wyndham Bayside Hotel/Segway Tours office.) The announcer will be Mr. Tayari Howard, President and CEO of Global Educational Media Network. This year marks the first year that a father daughter team will be calling the parade. Howard will be joined by his daughter, Mercedes, who is an on-air personality for 95.7FM Today’s R&B and Hip Hop.
The Martin Luther King, Jr., Parade is supported by the entire City of San Diego in cooperation with the Port of San Diego, and County of San Diego. For further information, please contact the Martin Luther King, Jr., Parade Committee.
