Orange County Celebrates Black History with Annual Parade

The 46th annual event honored Black culture, unity, and community contributions in Anaheim.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The 46th annual Orange County Black History Parade took place in Anaheim, drawing community organizations, local Black sororities and fraternities, and performances celebrating Black history, culture, and unity. The parade was organized by the Orange County Heritage Council and featured a Unity Festival with arts, crafts, food, and health resources.

Why it matters

The annual parade is an important event that brings the community together to honor the history and contributions of Black residents in Orange County, which has a relatively small African American population of less than 3%. The parade and associated festivities aim to promote cultural awareness and unity.

The details

The parade featured performances by the Los Angeles Parmelettes Drumline dance and drum group, as well as the Baile Folklorico dance team from the Centralia Elementary School District. The event also included a Unity Festival at the Center Street Promenade in downtown Anaheim, with arts and crafts, games, food vendors, and a Health Village providing resources and screenings.

  • The 46th annual Orange County Black History Parade took place on Saturday, February 10, 2026.
  • The parade kicked off Black History Month, which is celebrated throughout February.

The players

Orange County Heritage Council

A volunteer nonprofit established in 2008 that promotes cultural awareness and the historical contributions of Black people in Orange County.

Helen Shipp

The founder of the Orange County Black History Parade, which she organized starting in 1980 in Santa Ana before the event was moved to Anaheim in 2012.

Ronald Rochon

The president of California State University, Fullerton, who served as the grand marshal for this year's parade.

Deborah Wondercheck

The founder of Costa Mesa's Arts & Learning Conservatory, a nonprofit that aims to change children's lives by exposing them to the arts, and the division marshal representing the arts for this year's parade.

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What they’re saying

“African Americans in our county are less than 3%. So when something like this happens, we all come together. We all unify and say we are here to support each other, we are here to support our voices and be present for each other.”

— Deborah Wondercheck, Founder, Arts & Learning Conservatory (latimes.com)

“Arts & Learning Conservatory's whole purpose and mission is to make sure the arts programs are accessible and equitable for all children.”

— Deborah Wondercheck, Founder, Arts & Learning Conservatory (latimes.com)

What’s next

The Orange County Heritage Council plans to continue the annual Black History Parade tradition, with the goal of making the 'Gospel Voice of OC' concert celebrating Black excellence in music, art, and history an annual event in Orange County.

The takeaway

The Orange County Black History Parade is an important annual event that brings the community together to honor the history, culture, and contributions of the region's African American residents, fostering unity and promoting cultural awareness in a county with a relatively small Black population.