MLK Parade Foundation Expands Scholarship Program for 2026
The Martin Luther King Jr. Parade Foundation, Inc. will announce enhancements to its scholarship program that will allow more Hillsborough County high school students to apply and benefit. The announcement also includes new details about the 2026 City of Tampa MLK Parade and the MLK Parade Foundation Black-Tie Gala.
The 2026 gala will feature Grammy-nominated jazz artist Nathan Mitchell, and Jerome Ryans, President of the Tampa Housing Authority, will serve as the grand marshal for this year’s annual MLK Parade. Parade performances will include the Bethune-Cookman Marching Wildcats, the Edward Waters University Triple Threat Marching Band, and new entries from across Florida and the Caribbean.
The announcement will take place at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, December 4, 2025, at the MLK Parade Foundation Office, 5112 N. 22nd St., Tampa. This year’s theme, “Courage is Contagious,” honors individuals who have shown bravery, challenged injustice and inspired others.
Sponsors of this year’s MLK Parade and festivities include the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida Blue, Suncoast Credit Union, Rebein Brothers Law, USAA, AT&T, HART, Rooms To Go, the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Tampa Bay Rays, the Women’s Council of Bay Area Association of Realists, Penny Mac and media partner 101.5 The Vibe, along with additional corporate supporters.
MLK Jr. Foundation leadership will be available for interviews. For more information, contact D. Shenell Reed at 813-298-9679 or tampamlkjrparade@gmail.com