The MLK day parade of Pompano Beach, was one of the best days of my life. As a member of the NuGame Movement, male mentoring group, it really taught me the meaning of brotherhood. The MLK Day parade of Pompano Beach, started at Mitchell Moore Park at 9am with a temperature of 54 degrees. There were countless schools, churches, and mentoring groups involved, especially NuGame’s. I’ve been part of the NuGame Movement, men’s mentoring group, since March of 2015. The MLK Day weekend was actually the organization’s 1st year anniversary.

These group of men are all either fathers, business owners, men of faith, two out of the three or all of the above. We support each other’s businesses, and every week we choose a business or church to support with our time and money. This is one of the first organizations that I’ve been part of that actually shows up in the community every week. Each and every one of these men have a story to tell about how they escaped the streets, or poverty. I guess that’s what made MLK Day parade so special.

We were lead by the organization’s president, Curtis Smith, and secretary Kevin Soto. Mr. Soto happens to be an ordained minister, and gospel artist. He performed some of his top songs on the back of the truck with a microphone and speakers. The crowds loved it and cheered for the community heroes of NuGame Movement, as we marched to celebrate one of the world’s most resilient men of honor – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

We concluded the parade inside of the Blanche Ely High School’s gymnasium. They hosted a praise and worship competition with cash prize of up to $1,500. There were fabulous performances from the local churches’ youths and adults. Ely High is a school with a tremendous amount of black history and athletic superiority. Mrs. Blanche Ely (coined one of the 7 Types of Queens, Kings Desire), who the school is named after, is someone to celebrate, and I am sure Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. himself would agree. She willed her students to strive for the best in life that they could, in order to give back to the community. Dr. Johnson, current principle, is doing a great job in continuing her legacy of excellence. They had state championship banners in basketball, track & field, and football from the 1970’s to 2015.

To top it all, some of the past and current football players had a flag football game that I couldn’t resist. I caught 5 passes, one for a touchdown, and made four great defensive plays. My nephews were too young to play, but they finally got a chance to watch their uncle – BALL OUT!! I took them to see their grandmother, got all of us a haircut, and bought some hot wings with fried rice afterwards. MLK Day was a day to remember!

I’d love to hear what the folks did in your city for MLK Day. Please, share, and leave a comment below.