Henry Armstrong Foundation & WBC Cares Join Forces

“Our Work Is Not Yet Done” was the theme of Monday’s 31st Annual Kingdom Day Parade presented by the Congress of Racial Equality of California (CORE-CA) held in Los Angeles, California.

Here is my recap from the day in which I joined the Henry Armstrong Foundation (HAF), the World Boxing Council’s WBC Cares and a group of champs and prizefighters all coming together in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was a festive occasion paying tribute to Dr. King’s legacy.

The day featured a morning meet-up with over 50 participants repping the sweet science. There was the grand entrance of this year’s float, a post-parade BBQ (with an unveiling of a Henry Armstrong grill), and a special ceremony honoring Smokin’ Joe Frazier (HAF Honorary Board Member) and cutman/promoter/cornerman Willie “Indian” Schunke. The parade was broadcast live on ABC 7. It was a great afternoon with constant activity and interaction between the parade participants and the countless individuals lining the streets in support of this civic gathering kicking off 2016.

Joining the Henry Armstrong Foundation President/Founder Edward Scott Jr. (Armstrong’s grandson), Secretary Kimberly DuBose-Scott and Entertainment Coordinator Larry Covin were the WBC’s Jose “Pepe” Sulaiman Jr., Mo Noor and Nancy Rodriguez (all representing President Mauricio Sulaiman and WBC Cares’ Jill Diamond). The two nonprofit groups organized this annual tradition showcasing the sport of boxing in a positive light.

And there was a huge contingent of current and former pro champions and fighters, Olympic boxers, amateur champs, trainers, cornermen, and more donating their time to the cause. Some familiar faces were showcased on the float itself (with a boxing ring, inspirational messages, artwork and photos) while others assembled beside the float walking the parade route along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Crenshaw Boulevard and Vernon Avenue. There were horses, cheerleaders, civic leaders, dancers, marching bands…and BOXERS!

In attendance were: “Sugar” Shane Mosley and his family including Shane Mosley Jr., Mikey Garcia with wife Fatima and their three kids, Israel “El Magnificio” Vazquez with his fighters Abraham Calderon and Rolando Padilla, 2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist Taras Shelestyuk (Ukraine), Joseph “JoJo” Diaz (Team USA 2012), Saul “Neno” Rodriguez, Daniel “Twitch” Franco, boxer/singer Edwin Sandoval, Walter Sarnoi, “The Boxing Twins” Julian Rodarte and Yovani Rodarte, Ronnie “The Dragon” Essett, Edgar Nava, Angel Silva, boxing’s Sam Watson, California State Athletic Commission members including Larry Ervin, Sharon Sands and Tiffany Clinton, WBC Youth Amateur Champs Christian Perez and Chris Zavala, Team Bazaldua (young athletes/siblings Browny, Criztec and Perla Bazaldua), trainer/artist Steve Harpst with the Burbank Boxing Club’s Maya, Damien, Angel and Dan doing mitt work demos, BoxStat’s Roger Ruiz, boxing manager Ralph Heredia, Pitch Ink’s Rachel Charles (Sheer Sports Management), Supreme Boxing’s Jennifer Arredondo, Instant Boxing’s Albert Baker, TopClass Boxing’s Salvador Gonzalez, Styles Make Fights’ Chris Alexander and Gilbert Medina, Dolores “Little Lady” Schunke and her son Neno, Fred Moss (Moss Grills), The Menlo Club’s Reggie, CoCo Productions’ Marsha Covin, Leo from painter Cao Yong’s company and many more.

The float the champs rode on was festooned with plenty of inspiration quotes (“Redefining What Is Impossible”), colorful murals from world-renowned airbrush artist Neneki “Nick” McGee, legendary artist Cao Yong’s prints and posters, a Jack Johnson bronze statue by California Boxing Hall of Famer Steve Harpst, a portrait of Willie “Indian” Schunke, Sam Watson plaques saying “Be Life Driven,” and boxing photos including a large depiction of Henry Armstrong, who passed away in 1988. During his heyday, Armstrong scored an impressive 151 pro victories with 101 knockouts! He is still regarded as one of the greatest fighters of all time.

And the Henry Armstrong Foundation is making sure the man and his legacy continues.

“The spirit of my grandfather is in my work,” grandson Edward Scott Jr. told us as the morning began. He’s celebrating 10 years with the foundation and the third year of participation in the MLK parade. The HAF had us all wear special 2016 edition T-shirts for the parade and Edward and Kimberly also surprised the kids in the group with books and toys to inspire learning and education.

Edward revealed he loves continuing in his grandfather’s work so much that he does not take a salary through the foundation. Every penny goes back to assisting others in need.

“Everything we create goes into the program,” the real estate businessman said with a nod. He and wife Kimberly have worked tirelessly to build their burgeoning foundation; they are also involved in “WE DAY” that helps empower the young people in their community. The couple thanked everyone for their continued support and donations to the cause. The pair worked with the WBC Cares Team in bringing together a strong group of prizefighters and boxing luminaries all lending support during this epic day in L.A.

And the message of unity and remembrance for those lost remained strong for everybody. The Henry Armstrong Foundation and the WBC Cares Team scored a one-two punch in seeing everyone’s fists raised triumphantly while waving to the cheering crowd. Unity in the community for everyone.

While walking the parade route, I couldn’t help but notice the excitement from the bystanders as the boxers on the float glided past the revelers. “SHANE! Shane, we love you!” was the popular chorus heard as “Sugar” Shane smiled and waved to the crowd. Timekeeper Tiffany Clinton rang the bell positioned at the front of the float next to a gold and green WBC belt, oversized boxing gloves and the Jack Johnson trophy all at the helm.

“Sugar” Shane Mosley, Israel Vazquez, JoJo Diaz and the young champs all took turns standing in the boxing ring located front and center of the float. The sluggers all told me how honored and humbled they were to be part of this history-making day celebrating the life, legacies and history of both Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Henry Armstrong.

While there were smiles all around there were also some moments of reflection.

The Scotts and Team WBC also got together after the parade to present Willie “Indian” Schunke’s wife Dolores a gold and green medal, an honorary WBC championship medal placed around her neck by WBC Cares’ Mo Noor and Nancy Rodriguez. Mo gave a very moving speech and it was an emotional moment for Willie’s widow. The ceremony was a bittersweet one; fighters Mikey Garcia and Saul “Neno” Rodriguez autographed the photo tribute of “Indian,” whose private gym they trained at for many years. “Indian” passed away September 2015 but has not been forgotten by the boxing community.

All in all, the 2016 MLK Kingdom Parade was full of joy and celebration, reflection and recollection.

It was a time to remember history. It was a knockout day for all.

“We are not makers of history. We are made by history.”– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

PHOTOS BY MICHELE CHONG