UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY

Co-Chairman of Dunbar festivalParaDe, Cornell agent, talks about the uPComing festivities

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LadyChelle of Ford Entertainment

Magazine recently interviewed Cornell Agent, co-chairman of the Dunbar Festival Parade, about the upcoming annual festivities. Agent, a lifelong resident of Fort Myers, grew up participating in it and feels honored to help put it together.

The Dunbar Easter Parade is a 78-year-old tradition that brings the community together. Agent emphasized that it’s no longer just a predominantly Black or African American parade, but a parade for the entire city to enjoy. This year’s parade is expected to be the largest ever, with five bands, horses, and other entertainment.

The parade is organized by the Dunbar Festival Committee, which Agent co-chairs alongside Tauyna Cola. They began planning the event last August with the goal of creating a parade that is more diverse and reaching out to more people. Agent said the parade will offer something for everyone and encourages all to come out and support this unity in the community type of day. The community will also have the opportunity to participate in an event after the parade at the Stars Complex featuring two DJs from Miami, food, clothing, jewelry vendors, and more.

Agent emphasized that the overall message of the Dunbar Easter Parade is that the community can overcome any obstacles it faces. He hopes that everyone who attends will feel like they have made a difference and will come back year after year to enjoy this family reunion-like event.

He expressed gratitude to the committee and everyone who has helped plan the event, noting that Martin Byrd, President of the Dunbar Festival Committee, “has been there to assist with everything he was asked for, and it has been a pleasure to work with him on this event.”

The overall message of the Dunbar Easter Parade is that our community can overcome any obstacles that it has ever faced. It’s the unity in our community that we’re reaching out to.

- Cornell Agent, co-chairman of the Dunbar Festival Parade

Tamara “Joy” Hunter has been selected as the Grand Marshal for the upcoming Dunbar Easter Parade in 2023. She is a 20-year educator and a graduate of Norfolk State University. Mrs. Hunter is happily married and a proud mother of four honor graduates. She has been advocating for the community from a young age, with her grandmother starting her early on community service.

Mrs. Hunter has continued to partner with various community leaders and groups to meet the needs of underprivileged families and academically struggling students. As the Grand Marshal, Mrs. Hunter will be leading the parade in the city of Fort Myers and will remind everyone that it takes a village to raise a child and to “be kind because someone is pretending it’s sunny on a rainy day.”