Last Saturday, the Martin Luther King Commemoration Committee’s (MLKCC) and the African American Heritage Association (AAHA) made history as they entered a float in the Seafair Torchlight Parade representing the local African American community for the first time since 1981.
The float — organized by Martin Luther King Commemoration Committee’s (MLKCC), the African American Heritage Association (AAHA), the National Association for Black Veterans (NABVETS), the Buffalo Soldiers of Seattle, and the Mt. Zion Baptist Church Brotherhood — highlighted the culture and professional service of Seattle’s African American community as part of the city of Seattle’s diverse landscape. Standing 13 ft high, 12ft wide, and 33ft long the float featured many prominent members of the local African American Community.
“Our goal was to display the Black community as fully vested Americans that have made great contributions to the success of America and its cultural narrative,” said Hayward Evans, one of the float organizers.
Participants Riding the Float:
The Buffalo Soldiers and local Black Veterans
King – Lacy Steele, President Emeritus, and past Chapter President of ML King County NAACP. He served as President for 26 years until 1999. Lacy Steele worked at Boeing for 38 years and was the 1stAfrican American manager in the aerospace division. Steele said “employment, especially for African American youth, education, criminal justice, police oversight, and voter registration continue to be the most important issues the NAACP works on. “You have to vote, you have to be part of solving the problem,” said Steele. The Seattle King County Branch of the NAACP, founded in 1913, is the oldest branch west of the Mississippi River. The Seattle branch has always been in the forefront of the civil rights movement.
Queen – Carolyn Riley-Payne. Riley-Payne is a lifelong Civil Rights Activists who loves working with young people helping them discover things about themselves that they had not discovered or embraced (e.g. such as their greatness). She is 1stVP of the Seattle King County NAACP where she served over 30+ years as the chair of the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO).The Olympic of the mind is a yearlong achievement program designed to recruit, stimulate, and encourage high academic and cultural achievement. The NAACP is the oldest and largest civil rights organization. Riley-Payne has also served as a human services commissioner for the city of Lake Forest Parkand on other civil rights organizations and committees.
Princess – Sophia Miles, is the 2018/2019 Miss Black Washington, USA Queen. Her focus during her reign is breast cancer awareness. Miles, who is fluent in English and Spanish, attends the University of Washington Foster School of Business where she is studying international business. Miles is inspired by the many strong women who have paved the way for her progress, and she strives to be a leader that uses her knowledge and confidence to inspire and mentor younger women.
Prince – Darnell French, is an IT Network Professional at Starbuck’s HQ. French has an Associate of Arts and Applied Sciences degree in Networking Services and Computing Systems and has studied abroad in Japan.
Male Youth Participant– Patton Barnes, is entering the 4thgrade at Leschi Elementary School and is on the Student Equity Team. He is a professional actor appearing in Porky and Bess at the Seattle Opera, public speaker and a member of Mt. Zion Youth Choir. Barnes also plays league soccer and is studying Tae Kwon Do.
Female Youth Participant– Tahlia Price is entering the 6thgrade at Meany Middle School. She was a member of the Student Equity Team, Choir and on the Student Honor Role at Leschi Elementary School. Price is a gymnast who is studying dance at Alvin Haley Dance Camp, a praises dancer, singer in the youth choir, and usher at Mt. Zion.
Honorary Queen (not on the float but recognized) – Mrs. Josephine Stokes.Stokes graduated from Clark College, in Atlanta, Ga., in 1947 with a Bachelor of Science degree in home economics. She received her teaching credentials from the University of Washington. Recognized for 35 years of distinguished service as elementary teacher, librarian, reading specialist and acting principal for Seattle Public Schools. Featured in the January 2005 issue of Essence Magazine article “Look Great at Any Age.” She is a life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the National Council of Negro Women, and a charter member of the Seattle Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, which honors African-American high-school seniors.
Music– Michael Powers, played live music on the Float. Powers is an Award winning, internationally renowned and NW Favorite Guitarist, who plays Funk, Gospel, Soul, Blues, Latin and Soul tinged Jazz.
