JustServe Honors MLK Day in Carrollton Parade

Carrollton, TX—Following a red, vintage truck decorated with JustServe banners, Carrollton members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wave and greet paradegoers along the mile-and-a-half parade route. They joined 5,000 participants in celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. and his enormous impact on civil rights in America.

“Participating in the 30th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Parade was a wonderful experience,” said Kandyce McCracken, the Carrollton JustServe director. “I couldn’t help but reflect on Dr. King’s powerful words – ‘Our goal is to create a beloved community.’ The collective celebration added to the spirit of unity and purpose. The event highlighted the ongoing journey toward realizing Dr. King’s vision. It contributed to fostering a sense of togetherness within our community.”

Reverend Willie Rainwater and his wife Juanita are the founders of Christ Community Connection, Inc. which hosted the parade. This year there were 47 entries with former professional football player James Wilson Jeffcoat Jr. named this year’s Grand Marshall who lead the parade. Starting at Carrollton City Hall the parade included a variety of local marching bands, middle and high school students, Miss Texas and several city and school officials. The parade ended at Ted Polk Elementary School with a closing ceremony held in the gym.

Ms. Juanita Rainwater started the MLK parade 30 years ago. Her family settled in the area and saw a tremendous need for change. Following the parade, Mrs. Juanita Rainwater received an award from Carrollton City Mayor Steve Babick.

“Juanita and the Rainwater family are truly important to us,” said Mayor Steve Babick. “From the City of Carrollton [we present] to Juanita Rainwater, one of the most distinguished awards we can give is the Mayor’s Distinguished Service Award, specifically the Martin Luther King Day in Action Award.”

Reverend Rainwater accepted the award on her behalf. Juanita was ill and not present at the ceremony. Still, she shared a prerecorded message that expressed her appreciation for the event. Reverend Rainwater offered closing remarks, sharing his family’s history in Carrollton and the life-changing experience he had as a six-year-old boy who was not allowed to ride the school bus because of the color of his skin. He had no other option but to run several miles daily to and from school. But since that day, he has never stopped running towards uniting people of all backgrounds and making changes that exemplified Dr. King’s dream.

Feature Photo: From Left to right, Linda Williams, Chavelle Pridgett, Yissel Lingenbrink, Hannah Lingenbrink, Cambelle Bernhisel, Grant McCracken, Preston Bernhisel, Kandyce McCracken, Andrew McCracken, and Jason McFarland. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ walk in the Martin Luther King Jr. parade in Carrollton, Texas alongside McFarland’s red decorated truck. All photos courtesy of Stephanie Syphus.