Acquanetta Warren, Mayor, City of Fontana, CA and Ellen Turner, President, Concerned Citizens, for the Development of North Fontana. Ellen Turner's mother, Jessie M Turner, was prominent among early North Fontana residents that helped make and shape the COMMUNITY of North Fontana. The North Fontana Community Center is named in her honor. Ellen Continues that 'work'. (Photo credit: John Coleman/Community Photographer)

Photo Recap: Fontana’s Black History Parade and Expo

By John Coleman, Community Photographer

FONTANA, CA- The North Fontana Black Awareness Parade Committee and Concerned Citizens for the Development of North Fontana held their 50th Annual Black History Month Parade and Expo, Saturday, February 24 in a North Fontana shopping center.  The celebration this year was on the theme, ‘Our Legacy’, purposely connected to the date February 24, 1968, during the period when the Black People of Fontana were prevented from obtaining housing or residing south of the roadway still known as “Baseline”.

The Parade honors Fontana’s early families who despite racism, segregation and other adverse circumstances opened businesses, raised families and like the Turners, contributed to the growth and welfare of the community.  Former longtime resident of North Fontana, Whitman Mayo, became an actor in Hollywood and co-star of the “Sanford & Son” sitcom. He served as Grand Marshall of one of the first North Fontana Black History Parade.

Following the Parade community service organizations, clubs, food vendors and neighbors mingled and filled the streets of the post-parade Expo event.

The Concerned Citizens for the Development of North Fontana meet monthly at 7 p.m. on the 3rd Monday.  Currently, they are continuing to ask people to help collect photos, records and/or memories of old North Fontana for the growing History and Archive Project.

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