This year’s Black History Month parade got a taste of the islands when the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival Bandleaders Association (ACCBA) took to the streets with masquerader and stilt walkers dressed in colorful costumes to celebrate their diverse culture.

Parade participants included Georgia pageant royalty, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, NAACP, Atlanta Falcons and representatives from other well known organizations.

“It was a wonderful event that celebrated Black History Month, how far we have come over the years and the strides we continue to take as a people,” said ACCBA president, Patricia Henry. “Carnival has become a part of Atlanta’s mix because of what we bring to the city on Memorial Day weekend.

Yes, Atlanta is known for its civil rights connections and of course, being the birthplace of Dr.

Martin Luther King, Jr., but it’s also now known as a diverse city, and our presence here shows that. Carnival and its other counterparts in the Caribbean were birthed by slaves who celebrated various events such as a good crop. So when you consider that, we certainly do have a place here in the Black History Parade because we are a part of Black history.”

Henry further stated that ACCBA is gearing up for its event in May and has already confirmed several sponsors and participants.

For more information on #AtlCarnival visit www.atlantacarnival.org.

Atlanta Caribbean Carnival Bandleaders Association masqueraders and mocko jumbies (stilt walkers) participate in Black History Parade. (Photo by ACCBA)