Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 1-14-22

Local
Tampa’s MLK Parade Features HBCU Favorites, Bethune-Cookman And FAMU Marching Bands
Foundation lobbied for several years to get the bands here
As we approach Monday, January 17, 2022, the MLK Parade Foundation is partic- ularly excited to be able to present to Tampa an appear- ance by both the Bethune- Cookman University Marching Wildcats and the FAMU "Marching 100", ar- guably, the top two HBCU marching bands in the coun- try.
This has been a goal of Parade Foundation found- ers, Robert Scott and Howard Harris, since tak- ing the reins of coordinating the parade from city officials in 2014. Mr. Scott, a gradu- ate of Bethune-Cookman, re- members fondly the days when the Florida Classic football game was played in what is now Raymond James Stadium. The show at half- time routinely kept fans in the seats to watch the bands "show up and show out," Scott said.
With approximately 300 members each, the task of bringing these large bands to Tampa, with lodging and transportation expenses, had been prohibitively expensive. Thanks to the Foundation's several years lobbying efforts with sponsors and Hillsbor- ough County Commission- ers, particularly Les Miller
and most recently Gwen Myers, they were able to se- cure the funding to bring the bands here, Harris ex- plained.
Securing the funding is only half the battle. Bands like "the 100" and the Marching Wildcats are in de- mand all over the state and all over the country. Securing their appearance means you've asked at a time when they haven't promised to ap- pear in another city.
The importance of the bands' appearance goes be- yond a show for the day. Each school is able to en- hance their recruiting efforts and provide valuable expo- sure to HBCUs. Each school has strong alumni contin- gents in the Tampa area and the bands' appearance is an important reminder of the support the alumni can and should provide.
So come see the finest bands in the land, local high school bands showing their stuff, all the dancers, drill teams, floats, horses, motor- cycles and all the things that make a parade special while we celebrate the life and legacy of a great American hero, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Parade begins at 12 noon at Cuscaden Park, and ends at Middleton High School.
THE WILDCATS OF BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY
THE MARCHING 100 OF FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2022 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY PAGE 3-A