Hundreds of Ocoee residents and neighboring communities turned out on a sun-filled yet cool morning for the 6th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Parade and Celebration. Organized by the City of Ocoee Human Relations Diversity Board, under the theme, Dare to Dream, the Parade’s Grand Marshal was Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs.
The event kicked off at 10:00 a.m. at the intersection of Silver Star and Clarke Road and culminated at the West Oaks Mall, in a ceremony that consisted of a medley of music by the Garden Community Choir and a call to action by keynote speaker Lucas Boyce, Orlando Magic’s Director of Community Relations-Multicultural Insights & Government Affairs.
The Ocoee Police Department motorcycle brigade led the procession, which featured several marching groups, including the Ocoee High School, American Legion, Central Florida Urban League and other clubs and schools.
“I believe that everything that Dr. King did was for all mankind, not just for blacks alone,” said William Maxwell, chairman of the Human Relations Diversity Board. “Our mission is to educate, inform and to project a positive image to the rest of the world in spite of the ugly history that surrounds Ocoee. We are not going back on the past, we are going to let the past bury its dead and live for the future.”
In 2003, in a unanimous resolution, the City of Ocoee established the Human Relations Diversity Board which is tasked with the responsibility of promoting goodwill, respect, understanding, dignity and equality of all citizens and businesses within its community.
“It is a fantastic day and a great opportunity for us to express ourselves and honor the leadership and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King,” said Scott Vandergrift, Mayor of Ocoee. “We, in Ocoee, are truly an international community and I would like one day to see an International Day recognizing all nationalities, in one way or another.”
President of the Central Florida Urban League and Master of Ceremonies, Allie Braswell said, Dr. King started “something” incredible but there’s more to be done.
“I think if you look at Ocoee’s theme of the event – Dare to Dream – we must continue to embrace that dream,” he said. “I think Ocoee has made strides, but I still think we have a ways to go. We are not at the destination yet that he envisioned. We still have a ways to go, but we are working well toward that goal.”
Orange County Commissioner, S. Scott Boyd (District 1), echoed Braswell’s sentiment, noting that Dr. Martin Luther King Day is really about everyone in the community coming together.
“In Orange County in general, there are so many ethnic groups that call Orange County home. Everybody coming together to celebrate is wonderful,” said Boyd. “We have come a long ways, but we are still working at it….This is going to be a great year for this whole entire area.”
Keynote speaker, Lucas Boyce challenged the gathering to ‘Dare to Dream’. Drawing on his personal experience, Boyce said there are no obstacles that cannot be overcome, if we all band together. According to him, hunger, violence and poverty can be a thing of the past, if we dare to dream.
“Together we can overcome racism, together we can overcome cynicism and selfishness that consumes us, but first we must dare to dream,” he said. “…The call of history is that we in this day, in this place, dare to dream.”
The parade drew appearances from several elected officials, including from the City of Ocoee Commissioners Gary Hood (District 1), Rosemary Wilsen (District 2), Rusty Johnson (District 3) and Joel F. Keller (District 4).
