KNOBTOWN—Each year, the small unincorporated community of Knobtown, Mississippi—home to fewer than 400 residents—welcomes thousands of visitors for its annual Black History Parade. Now in its 29th year, the parade has grown into a cherished tradition, bringing families together from across the country to celebrate Black history, unity and resilience.
This year’s theme, “Coming Together but Stronger,” holds special meaning for the community following a deadly triple shooting in State Line on New Year’s Day.
“We had to try to decide whether we were going to try to still do this with all of this hanging over us. And we said yes,” said co-founder Lynette Walley. “No matter what we deal with, what we go through, we are better together. We are stronger together. And where there is unity, there is strength.”
A history rooted in education
The parade’s origins date back to the 1990s when community members felt that Black history was not adequately represented in local schools. Determined to fill that gap, Oliver and Lynette Walley, with support from Mt. Olive Baptist Church, began hosting educational sessions at the church.
“Unfortunately, our kids couldn’t get Black history at the school,” said Oliver Walley, Lynette’s husband. “So, we took it upon ourselves. The church endorsed it, and we decided that we would still have a week of Black history.”
At first, the effort was educational, with classes held at the church from Monday through Friday. Soon, the Walley family and other organizers looked for a way to extend the lessons beyond the church walls. Their answer was the first-ever Knobtown Black History Parade, a modest event featuring just three cars and a single float.
“Some of the older ladies in the community, they came up with a float—an old pickup,” Walley recalled. “They had all the old washing machines, old rub boards, all the old-timey stuff that we used.”
That first parade carried the theme “Don’t Forget the Bridge That Brought You Over.” Three decades later, the original float still leads the procession every year.
“We wanted to make sure people remembered where we came from,” Oliver said. “And that’s where we started. As a celebration of the week and informed the people of Black History. As we did it, it just grew from that to what it is today.”
A growing celebration
Since 1994, the Knobtown Black History Parade has expanded from a small neighborhood gathering to a mile-long procession of floats, motorcycles, semi-trucks, and performers. Families now schedule reunions around the event, traveling from cities as far as Boston, Florida, and San Francisco to participate.
“Most people in the last ten years have centered their vacation around this parade,” Oliver said.
Brenda DeBose, from State Line, has been part of the parade since its inception. She believes the event is crucial for ensuring future generations understand their heritage.
“The children need to know their black history,” said DeBose. “If you don’t know where you come from, it’s hard to know where you’re going.”
For Kiera Leverette of Texas, the parade has been part of her life since childhood. Her grandfather, Joe Leverette, owns land in Knobtown. Leverette says she returns each year to help with parade preparations and vendor setups.
“It just shows that we can come together, have fun, and there’s never any drama it’s just always a lot of fun,” said Leverette. “I think it’s very important to just have that community.”
A 16-year-old attendee from Moss Point who has attended the event since 2017, reflected on the deeper significance of Black history.
“When I really think about it, how my generation is, I don’t think we’d be able to survive what our ancestors went through,” he said. “So, it’s like, I’m just so grateful to be right here today and not having to, you know, go through all of which way.”
Continuing the legacy
Co-founder Oliver Walley hopes that the parade will continue inspiring people to embrace their history and strengthen their communities.
“People should be more productive in their communities and understand that without a strong foundation of community, people will perish,” Oliver said.
As the parade grows, its foundation remains firmly rooted in church, home, and school—the core pillars that have shaped and educated generations in Knobtown.
The original theme, “Don’t Forget the Bridge That Brought You Over,” still resonates today. This year’s theme, “Coming Together but Stronger,” builds upon that legacy, reinforcing the idea that the parade is not just about honoring history—it’s about using that history as a foundation for a stronger, more connected future.
