NAACP DeKalb celebrates MLK Holiday with virtual parade

DECATUR, GA—The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) DeKalb will host a virtual parade on Jan. 18, at noon, in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Holiday.

This year will mark the 19th year for the MLK Parade in DeKalb County and the theme is “Remember the Dream, Honoring the Dreamer.”

Teresa Hardy, president of the NAACP DeKalb, said the 2021 celebration will encompass a variety of creative events to honor Dr. King and his contributions to society.

“This momentous occasion will be celebrated via online streaming services and will reinforce the notion of teamwork and perseverance, regardless of the obstacles remaining in the path,” Hardy stated in a news release.

Parade committee member Al Chatman concurred.

“I am elated that the NAACP DeKalb was determined to conduct the annual parade to honor Dr. King in light of the challenges caused by this COVID-19 pandemic,” said Chatman. “Our honoring him in this environment, to me, is symbolic of the hardships and sacrifices that Dr. King faced in the struggle to end discrimination and segregation.”

“Although the 2021 ceremony will be virtual instead of in person, our challenges to honor him this year are nothing compared to the challenges Dr. King and his family faced day in and day out in his fight for our civil rights,” Chatman added. “With what he went through on a constant basis in his fight for equal rights, he is worthy to be honored every year regardless of the challenges we encounter in doing so. It is important that he continues to be honored every year in some noteworthy way, so that everyone, especially our young people, will know the high esteem in which he is held and will continue to recognize and appreciate his hard-earned accomplishments.”

To attend the free virtual parade, register at www.naacpdekalb.org. For more information, contact Vivian Moore, MLK, Jr. Parade Committee Chair, at 404-241-8006 or info@naacpdekalb.org.