The celebration stepped off just after 10 a.m., with more than 150 colorful floats, marching bands, and dancers celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Parade chairman Danny Bakewell, Sr., said he hoped the gathering would encourage something greater for our neighborhoods days after the pomp and cheer.
"Today is about us, it's about us coming together with dignity and respect, it's about us showing up," Bakewell said. "Whatever it is, you know, an organization that can make our community better, get involved with it."
Giving the parade a major boost Monday morning was actor and comedian Cedric The Entertainer, who served as this year's grand marshal.
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Before Cedric could make his way down MLK Boulevard, a group of young Eaton fire survivors from Altadena were chosen to help lead the parade.
Jacqueline Snell, president and founder of Jazzy Jam for Empowerment, said their presence as this year's banner carriers was a symbol of hope.
"These kids might have lost a lot of stuff, but we're here for life, for love, and this is what Martin Luther King would have wanted us to do," Snell said. "We are setting an example that we need to look forward and move forward, and to go to new beginnings."
Throughout the parade, we saw the young and young at heart enjoying the festival-like atmosphere across the 2.5-mile parade route.
Cannon, 10, of Culver City, told us he really loved seeing the police cars and the college bands, including his favorite.
"The USC band," he said, with a smile. "I like their colors, and I might want to go there."
Lauren Hunter lined up early to catch a glimpse of her daughter, who was marching as part of Inglewood High School's band.
Her seventh-grader, Olivia, said she was excited to be part of history Monday.
"I wanted to see my sister, and all the culture that's happening," she said.
While the Hunters said they attend Los Angeles' King Day celebration every year, the 2026 parade represented new beginnings for others.
Candice Jones, who recently moved to LA from Houston, said she was taken by the sea of people around her.
"Spanish, white, Black, whatever culture you are," Jones said. "This is what MLK wanted back in the day."
This year's parade was produced by Bakewell Media and the Los Angeles Sentinel.
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LA's Official MLK Day Parade was made possible through the generous support of its partners, including SoCalGas, Airbnb, LA County Federation of Labor, SEIU 2015, Blue Shield of California, Brotherhood Crusade, and others.
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