EL PASO, Texas - The El Paso Chapter of the Inter Club Council hosted the Black History Month Parade near downtown El Paso, Feb. 28.
Participants from El Paso-based organizations and groups marched, drove and rode as part of a celebration honoring the historic month and the city's black community.
"We just want to celebrate who we are and what we are about in El Paso," said Nathan Mack, the president of ICC's El Paso Chapter. "Holding a black history month parade is significant because it allows [El Pasoans] to come together and share knowledge with one another and the community."
For over 40 years, the parade has celebrated Black History month and El Paso's black community. Starting on the corner of Pershing and Montana, the parade brought participants together from a diverse group of organizations throughout El Paso, such as: black fraternities and sororities, the American Legion, Masons and Shriners of El Paso, Buffalo Soldiers and Ruff Ryders motorcycle clubs, El Paso Fire Department and 1st Armored Division Band.
To Mack, a retired sergeant major, it was the support of the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps from three local high schools that meant the most.
"For us it was important to have the schools come out," said Mack, a Detroit native. "Austin, Chapin, and Irvin High Schools. These are the young leaders of the community."
The parade ended with music, food vendors and various organizational booths located at El Paso's historic Mary Webb Park, is located in what was once the only black community in El Paso.
"[The ICC] likes to celebrate everyone's culture and everyone should be open to learning about other cultures," Mack concluded. "That is what will bring us together, not only as a community, but as people."
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