Hattiesburg, MS- On Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at the Black History Celebrations Grand Marshal Luncheon, USM's Head Football Coach Charles Huff was named as the Honorary Grand Marshal and The NAACP President Clarence Magee was named as the Grand Marshal of the 27th Annual Black History Parade & Celebrations, which takes place Saturday, February 22, 2025 on Country Club Rd at 12:00 Noon.
Charles Huff is the University of Southern Mississippi's First African American Head Coach in the university's 110 year history. Clarence Magee is the longtime President of the Forrest County NAACP, Mississippi's largest branch.
Coach Huff began his acceptance remarks as the Honorary Grand Marshal by thanking Lieutenant Colonel Raylawni Branch, the first African American student to attend the University of Southern Mississippi, for paving the way for African Americans at Southern Miss.
"To be standing here many many years later to be the face of the {University of Southern Mississippi's} football program is a honor. And I thank you and your family for all you endured. I'm sure if we even began to let them tell some of the stories we would cringe!"
"Not that it would be unbelievable but they actually endured all those things to actually allow us all to be here." - Coach Charles Huff
A historical event within itself, Lt. Col. Raylawni Branch made the surprise grand marshal announcements, making it the first time USM's first African American Head Coach and USM's first African American Student met each other.
Clarence Magee begin his acceptance speech as the 2025 Grand Marshal overjoyed and overwhelmed within the moment, "I can't help but say I'm proud to be here! I came from very very humble beginnings, so humble you can see the chicken through the cracks of the floor."
Reflecting on the weight of the moment of being named Grand Marshal, which is by tradition since 1991, the highest award and honor an African American is bestowed in the Pine Belt, President Clarence Magee said, "Here I am and I do not deserve any of it. I do not deserve any of it!"
"Here I am and I do not deserve any of it. I do not deserve any of it!" -Clarence Magee.
Magee ending his acceptance speech with one of the most powerful phrases of the year, "All my life I've had courage. Courage overcomes fear!" he softly exclaimed as he thanked everyone.
The luncheon, powered by The HMG Firm's Community Development Division, was held at the Jackie Dole Community Center in downtown Hattiesburg featuring several community stakeholders, elected officials from across the Pine Belt, and previous grand marshals. The event was sponsored by Popeye's Chicken and Chicken Salad Chick.
Each year, the grand marshal leads the famous parade into the Black History Celebrations, the largest Black History Celebration in Mississippi.
Black History Parade 2025
The 27th Annual Black History Parade is schedule for Saturday, February 22, 2025. The parade will begin with a parade day party at 12:00 Noon on JC Killingsworth and Country Club Rd to keep parade watchers excited and entertained.
To sign up to be in the parade, click here.
It's FREE to be in the Black History Parade. If you need candy or beads to throw out, official group t-shirts, or car magnets to go on your car, just click to add those options when you sign up.
The parade itself starts at 1:00pm on the corner of Highland Ave and JC Killingsworth Ave. The parade then travels down JC Killingsworth turning left onto Country Club Rd. The parade then ends inside of Vernon Dahmer Park.
The public is encouraged to park in the First Tee Field behind Vernon Dahmer Park for general parking starting as early as 10am. Then walk to JC Killingsworth or Country Club Rd to watch the parade. Early arrival is highly recommended.
After the parade, the public is encouraged to walk back to Vernon Dahmer Park where the Black History Picnic will begin. Thousands are expected to crowd the park this year to celebrate Black History in the Pine Belt.
Black History Celebrations: Schedule of Events Immediately After the Parade
Below is a schedule of events for the Black History Celebration & Parade. Hattiesburg news will provide more updates leading up to the event.
12:00 Noon | Parade Day Party JC. Killingsworth & Country Club Rd |
1:00pm | Black History Parade JC. Killingsworth & Country Club Rd |
2:00pm | Black History Picnic Vernon Dahmer Park |
5:00pm | Black History Free Community Concert Vernon Dahmer Park |
7:00pm | Black History Fireworks Show Vernon Dahmer Park |
Black History Celebrations: The Picnic
One big tailgate party! Immediately following the parade, there will be a Black History Picnic at Vernon Dahmer Park. Families are encouraged to come out in force and bring their tents and lawn chairs to enjoy a day of celebration as the Pine Belt comes together to celebrate Black History.
The picnic will feature fun games for the kids, sports tournaments for youth of all ages including teenagers, a 7 on 7 adult football game, Hattiesburg vs Laurel, "The Big Brown Jug," a Kickball Game featuring Collins vs Wiggins, a spade tournament, a domino tournament, and many other family filled activities.
All vendors including all political candidates must register to be a vendor. To signup as a vendor, click here.
Black History Celebrations: The Free Concert
During the Picnic, there will be a Free Community Concert on stage. The concert is expected to feature local artist again this year. All music genres will be represented to show the diversity of Black History. 100's of people are expected to crowd around the stage.
The annual $100 kids dance contest that's held on stage will also take place again this year. Also, the concert will feature a sidewalk step show. More details about who will perform during the step show will be revealed later this month.
Black History Celebrations: The Fireworks Show
Each year, the celebration ends with an epic Fireworks Show inside Vernon Dahmer Park. As expected, 100's of kids will crowd the park to see the best part of the celebration, the fireworks show.
Black History Celebrations: Contact List
If you have any questions, would like to participate in either the parade, picnic, or any part of the celebrations, you can contact The HMG Firm or The Black History Celebrations Executive Committee: Ashely Crutcher at 769.299.8365, Marian Allen at 601.323.9418, or Councilman Nick Brown at 601.545.4551.
You can also email: thehmgfirm@gmail.com.
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