(L-R) Youth Grand Marshals: Adonis Moret, Olivia Trujillo-Jamison, and Jacob Chisanga Price (Photos – City of Pasadena)
The City of Pasadena and the Black History Planning Committee have announced an inspiring lineup of Youth and Community Grand Marshals for the 2026 Black History Festival, set for Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at Robinson Park, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave.
By Melanie Hooks
With the theme “Unifying the Culture & Protecting Our Freedom, Passing the Baton to the Next Generation,” this year’s festival highlights resilience, legacy, and the promise of youth leadership.
Community Grand Marshals: A 70-Year Legacy of Service
Joining previously announced Grand Marshal Walt Butler are Community Grand Marshals Dell and Dudley Stewart, a couple whose lives have been intertwined with Pasadena’s history for nearly a century.
Dudley Stewart arrived in Pasadena in 1936, followed by O’Dealia “Dell” Stewart in 1942. Married for 70 years, the Stewarts raised 12 children—four of their own and eight nieces and nephews—while extending their home and hearts to countless others in need. For decades, they have coached, mentored, fed, and sheltered community members, embodying a spirit of generosity that has touched generations.
For more than 60 years, the Stewarts have been devoted members of New Revelation Baptist Church, where their steadfast faith and service have made them pillars of the congregation and the broader community. Their selection as Community Grand Marshals honors not just a lifetime of service, but a legacy of love and leadership that continues to inspire.
Youth Grand Marshals: Excellence in Action
This year’s Youth Grand Marshals represent both academic excellence and groundbreaking achievement.
Adonis Moret of Don Benito Elementary School, Jacob Chisanga Price of Polytechnic School, and Olivia Trujillo-Jamison of Altadena Arts Magnet Elementary School were selected as recipients of the Black American Youth Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy and Achievement Awards. The awards recognize leadership, social action, and service among local students.
Moret earned the 1st Place Elementary Essay Award, Price received the 1st Place Middle School Essay Award, and Trujillo-Jamison was honored with the 2nd Place Elementary Art Award. Their work reflects a deep understanding of Dr. King’s legacy and a commitment to community impact at a young age.
Also serving as Youth Grand Marshals are members of the Knight Skies Space Research Team from La Cañada High School: Bobby Milton, Carlos Ferreira Gaxiola, Vaughn Cross, Malik Husaini, Danial Jamshidi, Christopher Baghdassarian, Luca Bonnici, and Alec Heberger.
The student team designed an experiment to test the effects of microgravity on bacteria—an ambitious project that ultimately orbited Earth. The team traveled to the Kennedy Space Center to witness the rocket launch carrying their test samples into space, marking a milestone achievement in student-led scientific research.
A Community Rebuilding Together
Grand Marshal Walt Butler, a Pasadena sports legend and Pasadena Sports Hall of Fame inductee, remains a symbol of that resilience. A former standout athlete at Pasadena High School and Pasadena City College, Butler has long supported local youth, seniors, and members of the unhoused community, often donating shoes from his sporting goods store to those in need. In 2025, he lost his Altadena home of more than 60 years in the Eaton Fire. Despite the devastation, Butler continues to help rebuild the community he has served for decades.
“We are honored to have Walt Butler as our Grand Marshal for the 2026 Festival,” said Committee Co-Chair Pixie Boyden. “He is a shining example of who we are as residents of Pasadena, and a testament to our community. While we still grapple with the long-term effects of the Eaton Fire, we are proud to bring back portions of our festival that were cancelled due to circumstances.”
Festival Highlights and Sponsors
Although the parade will not take place this year, the beloved classic car show returns, promising a heartwarming day of celebration and connection. Attendees can look forward to youth performances from local middle and high school students, live entertainment representing Pasadena’s vibrant cultural community, diverse food trucks, and community resource booths offering valuable services and information.
Sponsors for the 2026 Black History Festival include the Pasadena Parks and Recreation Foundation, Pasadena Tournament of Roses, Pasadena Management Association, and Pasadena City College.
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