Founders of KTOY to lead downtown parade

Black History Month celebration will be Feb. 20

Ella Reece, right, Ruby Hanson, center, and Niki Reece, didn't let the rain stop them from cheering on the participants in the 24th annual Twin City Black History Association Parade Feb. 21, 2015, on Broad Street in downtown Texarkana.
Ella Reece, right, Ruby Hanson, center, and Niki Reece, didn't let the rain stop them from cheering on the participants in the 24th annual Twin City Black History Association Parade Feb. 21, 2015, on Broad Street in downtown Texarkana.

Those who have played key roles in Texarkana's African-American broadcast history will be featured as grand marshals in the upcoming 25th annual black history parade set for Feb. 20 in downtown Texarkana.

Al Davis, Delphynne Davis and Emmie Gamble, all founders and co-owners of KTOY, Texarkana's first African-American-owned radio station, will be grand marshals in the upcoming parade. Others who will be grand marshals include the four original deejays from 1992-Billy Bland, DeeDee Woods, the Godfather and Vincent Gamble.

"We need to do something to celebrate Black History month and the parade is an integral part of black history," Al Davis said. "We want (parade participants) to use their creative abilities around the theme."

This year's theme is "Celebrating Black History, Life and Culture."

"This will allow us to showcase the advancements and other things people of color have done in the past," Davis said.

The parade, sponsored by the Twin City Black History Association, begins at noon on Broad and Hazel streets and winds downtown ending at State Line Avenue in front of the Downtown Post Office.

There is no fee to enter the parade, but the entry deadline is Feb. 17. Entries will include floats, marching bands, marching units, vehicles, 18-wheelers, antique cars, motorcycles, ATV's, pedestrians and horses.

"Normally we have about 100 entries, and I think this year it may be a little bit longer because of all the Corvette Clubs from Little Rock coming down," Davis said.

Novella Medlock, president of the Twin City Black History Association, said she was excited to honor those-including Davis and his wife-who played such a historic role in African-American history in Texarkana. Medlock said it is crucial to show gratitude to people who helped the local African-American community become better.

"(Al Davis) was undoubtedly modest, but he was one of the first black owners of a radio station in Texarkana, he and his wife and Emmie Gamble, that is history making. We need to honor the people. We don't have to wait until they are deceased to honor them," Medlock said. It is important because people need to know they are valued and appreciated. They don't do anything for that reason, but they need to know that as a community, we thank them for enabling growth to the community."

Medlock, who has been a part of Twin City Black History since 2008, said she and others were supportive of Texarkana's first Martin Luther King Jr. Parade held Jan. 18. However, the long-standing black history parade honors many people who have played a role in black history.

"We are happy to honor all that has been done and continues to be done in the African-American community," Medlock said. "My personal thoughts are that you cannot do too much to honor a distinguished gentlemen as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but our parade does not focus on one particular individual. (King) deserves all the recognition we can give him, but so many others didn't have a platform as prevalent as his platform for progress in states, cities and communities as a whole."

After this year's parade, there will be a youth rally beginning around 1:30 p.m. at Washington 4-A Academy at 1900 Marietta St. The youth rally will include activities including cheering, dancing and poetry. Medlock said the Twin City Black History Association is using this year to plan for next year's 25th banquet. Medlock said the parade started one year before the banquet. The banquet helps raise scholarship money through ticket sales.

For more details about the parade or to participate, call Davis, parade chairman at 870-773-5308 or Tory Austin at 870-772-6860.

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