ANAHEIM, Calif. — There's excitement in Tyrone DuBose's deep bass-baritone voice.

DuBose, a Cincinnati native and Los Angeles resident, has been celebrating his beloved Bengals football team's appearance in this month's Super Bowl.


What You Need To Know

  • Anaheim will host the 42nd annual Black History Parade and Unity Festival in downtown from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday

  • The daylong event is free

  • Last year, the parade was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic

  • Masters of Ceremonies Tyrone DuBose said while this parade is a celebration of African American and Black Culture, the event is for all cultures

But DuBose is also giddy about serving as the master of ceremonies again this Saturday at the 42nd Black History and Unity Festival in downtown Anaheim.

DuBose, an R&B historian and contributor on the Sheryl Underwood Radio Show, said he couldn't wait to see the crowds again at the outdoor Black History parade.

"I love the music. I love the bands," he said. "I love announcing it and seeing the smiles on people's faces. This is very special for me. I've been doing this for nine years. It's a great way to celebrate African Americans and all people."

Tyrone DuBose poses with Ashley Nichole. (Tyrone DuBose)

The annual festival celebrates African American and Black culture in Orange County and beyond and comes a year after being canceled because of the pandemic.

The festival kicks off at 9 a.m., and the parade starts at 10 a.m. The event will feature more than 50 marching bands, horseback riders, and custom cars traveling down Anaheim Boulevard from Lincoln Avenue to Water Street before doubling back and concluding at Anaheim City Hall. The event is also free.

When the parade concludes, visitors could check out the unity festival from noon to 5 p.m. The unity festival will feature a college fair, health booths, vendors, food trucks and live entertainment from gospel to hip hop music.

Several local African American celebrities will be on hand including Billy Blanks, Fredia Gibbs and Loren Lorosa. Singer Kenny Lattimore will serve as the Grand Marshall.

The nearby Muzeo Museum & Cultural Center will also showcase student and guest artwork conveying the event theme, "Our Heritage: reflecting, advancing, uniting." Muzeo will display the art through March 20.

"This inspiring community event brings our great city together in a meaningful celebration of African American culture and achievement," said Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu in a statement to Spectrum News. "Anaheim just wasn't the same last year without the wonderful parade, food, music, and more. And I welcome everyone to safely enjoy this year's festivities."

For DuBose, this year's celebration has even greater meaning. Last year, the pandemic coincided with the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd, which sparked the worldwide Black Lives Matter movement.

A band marches in downtown Anaheim at a previous Black History Parade. (City of Anaheim)

DuBose said the Black Lives Matter movement highlighted recurring issues in African American and Black communities.

"Before any history, there was Black history," said DuBose. "This festival does take on more significance. It's not just the lack of representation of being an African American and the struggles that we all know, but the present and the future. Look at what's happening: voting reform, police reform. Many of our rights are being slowly taken away from us. But we have to recognize that we have to come together as one."

DuBose while the festival celebrates Black History, he also stresses the other part of the parade's title: unity.

"This event isn't just for African Americans. It's for everybody."