Lena Kennedy to Be Grand Marshall of Black History Parade in Pasadena

PASADENA, Calif. As a member of the National Finance Committee - Obama for America who organized four successful fundraisers in Pasadena for then-Senator Obama, political consultant and community activist Lena Kennedy has had her share of exciting moments – including meeting and working closely with both the President and First Lady. But when Kennedy, President of L.L. Kennedy & Associates, learned that she had been selected Community Grand Marshall of Pasadena´s 27th Annual Black History Parade on Saturday, February 21, she was both thrilled and humbled.

"It is such an honor to be asked to be Grand Marshall," says Kennedy, who now serves as co-chair of the National Women´s Leadership Initiative. "I have been helping political candidates and community leaders reach out to the community for over 20 years and I´ve never stopped loving what I do. I can´t imagine doing anything else. To have my work acknowledged in this very special way means so much to me."

Kennedy will be honored at the city´s Red, Black and Green Honors Luncheon on Saturday, February 7 at Brookside Clubhouse Restaurant near the Rose Bowl. Past Community Grand Marshalls, plus this year´s Grand Marshall nominees, will be recognized as well. The luncheon, which will take place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., will also include a Black History presentation by Pasadena City College (PCC).

Kennedy has shared what she calls her "grass-roots approach to assisting candidates" with an impressive roster of politicians, ranging from California Speaker Karen Bass and former Assemblywoman Carol Liu to Presidential candidates Al Gore and Jesse Jackson. She is also renowned in political circles for her ability to coordinate successful community conferences. Most recently, under Kennedy´s guidance, the National Women´s Leadership Initiative hosted a national, high profile meeting in Chicago in October 2008. Attendees included Barack and Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey and female elected officials from throughout the United States.

Tickets for the Red, Black and Green Honors Luncheon are available for $50/person. For more information, call 626.744.7300 or visit the Jackie Robinson Community Center, located at 1020 North Fair Oaks Avenue in Pasadena. The Brookside Clubhouse Restaurant is located at 1133 Rosemont Avenue in Pasadena.

The Black History Parade will take place on February 21, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – starting at Charles White Park at Ventura and Fair Oaks and ending at Robinson Park at 1081 North Fair Oaks. A Black History Festival will follow, from noon to 4 p.m., at Robinson Park.