LONG BEACH, Calif. — The 36th Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Celebration was held in Long Beach Saturday, with the theme "Unity in Diversity," reflecting the coming together despite differences in race, gender, faith, sexual orientation and abilities.

The parade began at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Anaheim Street, then proceeded north on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, concluding at 19th Street.

The grand marshals were:

  • Councilman Al Austin II, who has represented the Eighth District since 2012 and will leave the council in December when his term ends because of term limits. He is also a professional staff representative for the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees union.
  • Chan and Mark Hopson, a married couple who founded the Khmer Parents Association in 1995. The association has enabled low socio-economic status and at-risk children and youth to pursue a higher education. It provides an after-school tutoring program, career guidance and internship opportunities.
  • Tonya R. Martin, the president of Long Beach Pride who has volunteered and worked throughout Long Beach, Los Angeles County, nationwide and globally to foster empowerment of youths and the LGBTQ community and advocating for racial equality.
  • Griselda Suarez, the executive director of ArtsLB, which seeks to develop, encourage and enhance Long Beach's cultural environment.

The peacemaker honorees were:

  • Keith Lilly, a Long Beach resident since 1961 who has worked for the Long Beach Unified School District, the Long Beach Parks and Recreation Department, the Carson Parks and Recreation Department and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach.
  • Karen Reside, president of the Long Beach Gray Panthers, which educates and advocates for older adults, and founder of the nonprofit Cultural Alliance of Long Beach, where she assisted in creating over 16 nonprofit organizations.
  • Tito Rodriguez, founder of the Local Hearts Foundation, which provides gifts, clothing and food to disadvantaged children.
  • Susana Sngiem, the executive director of the United Cambodian Community of Long Beach, a nonprofit social services agency serving the Cambodian community in the Long Beach area.

A community celebration at Martin Luther King Jr. Park with musical and dance performances and sets by DJ Count followed the parade, running until 5 p.m.

Gardena's 41st annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Parade and Celebration began at 10 a.m. at Serra High School, proceeded north on Van Ness Avenue and concluded at Rowley Park.

The grand marshal was Guy Black, a KJLH-FM (102.3) host and DJ.

Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, a candidate for the U.S. Senate, and Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Los Angeles, rode in the parade.

The parade was followed by a celebration in Rowley Park that included a battle of the bands and other entertainment, resource and retail booths and food trucks.