
The African American Parade!
Greetings from the PEERS Board and the Lansing Juneteenth Celebration Committee. We have great plans and look forward to the annual Lansing Juneteenth Celebration and recognition of "Juneteenth Day" as a state of Michigan holiday. Since 1993, the Lansing Juneteenth Celebration has served as a respected voice in the community with the city of Lansing as its backdrop.
In 2015, the African American Parade, became part of the Lansing Juneteenth Celebration. The parade was dedicated in memory of its founder, the late Rev. Dr. Michael C. Murphy, who was a former Lansing Legislator, City Council Member and community advocate.
The 2023 parade will take place on Saturday, June 17 and will kick off at 11:00 am. The starting point is J.W. Sexton High School, 102 S. McPherson Avenue, Lansing, MI .
Organizations interested in participating in the Juneteenth African American parade should review the parade details below. The fee to enter the parade is $30. Sponsors with parade entry included should complete the Sponsor entry application. (For questions, contact Calvin Jones: Calvin.Jones@lbwl.com.
The 2023 Parade Grand Marshals

Mr. James E. Bibbs
James E. Bibbs’ distinguished career spans more than five decades. He has coached athletes on every level including high school, AAU club sports, collegiate, National, and international teams. James coached men’s track and field at Michigan State University from 1968 to 1995, where he was the first black head coach at the university and the first black head coach in the Big Ten conference. During his tenure at MSU, his athletes earned 52 Big Ten titles and he coached 26 All Americans including World Record holders Herb Washington and Marshall Dill, U.S. Olympian Judy Brown, Ohio State Head Coach and U.S. Olympic Head Women’s Coach Karen Dennis. He also founded the Detroit Track Club winning five consecutive Women’s national relay championships and was the U.S. Women’s Pan American team head coach in 1967. Before coaching, Jim was an exceptional athlete in his own right. He was offered, but declined, a Class A contract with the New York Yankees. In 1951 he tied Jesse Owen’s world record in the 60-yard dash. His numerous honors include All-American honors in Track at Eastern Michigan University, AAU Women’s Coach of the Year, and induction into multiple halls of fame: The U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2015), Michigan State University Athletics Hall of Fame (2010), Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame (2005), Eastern Michigan University Athletic Hall of Fame (1979), Michigan Amateur Athlete Hall of Fame (1974), and Detroit Public Schools Hall of Fame. In 2000, he was selected as a torch bearer for the Winter Olympics. The first annual Kevin Bibbs Gentleman of Distinction Award was given to Coach Bibbs in 2003. The first annual James E. Bibbs Invitational Track Meet, sponsored by the Lightening Lynx Track Club, was held in 2006 to raise money for a Jim Bibbs scholarship. His deep commitment to youth and passion for the sport has gained the respect and admiration of countless colleagues, athletes, parents, and friends nationwide. Under his coaching, encouragement and support, many student athletes have been empowered to excel in athletics and academics. James E. Bibbs is known throughout the community as an ambassador for Spartan Sports. He is “green” through and through, a role model and mentor to children, youth, and adults of all ages. He is a man of integrity and honesty who is never hesitant to share his love of Michigan State University, his talent, and his considerable wisdom with others.

Mr. Alan Haller
Alan Haller is a professional administrator with more than 20 years of experience in athletics, law enforcement, and higher education. In September 2021, Alan Haller was appointed Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics by Michigan State University. A former MSU football player and member of the track and field team as well as a former cornerback in the NFL, Haller joined MSU Athletics in 2010, following a 13-year career with the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety. He is credited with being part of the successful efforts to recruit MSU's all-time winningest coach Mark Dantonio and current MSU Head Football Coach Mel Tucker. He also championed the addition of the department's inaugural chief diversity officer, Ashley Baker. Haller has held several roles in MSU Athletics, including senior associate athletic director and chief of staff. Most recently, as deputy athletic director he was responsible for coordination of external relations, capital projects, athletics facilities and event management. He assisted with the department's financial planning and management of the budget, led the facilities planning team and oversaw coordination and completion of a facility master plan while supervising all athletics construction projects. Haller has extensive experience working directly with teams as a sport administrator and currently serves as the sport administrator for football. He leads the senior staff/sport administrator group responsible for administration of all varsity sports and provides leadership, direction, and supervision to sport supervisors, who are responsible for oversight of all sport programs. A four-year letterman as a cornerback under Coach George Perles from 1988-91, Haller earned All-Big Ten honors as both a junior and senior and made three postseason bowl appearances with the Spartans (1989 Gator, 1989 Aloha and 1990 John Hancock). He was a fifth-round NFL draft pick in 1992 by the Pittsburgh Steelers and spent three seasons in the NFL, playing for Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Carolina. Haller holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from MSU and a master's degree in human resources from Central Michigan University.
Parade Route
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Parade will begin at 11:00am moving northbound from the front of Sexton HS (102 S. McPherson Avenue, Lansing), turning RIGHT at the end of the drive onto Michigan Avenue headed eastward.
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Advancing one block the parade will make a RIGHT TURN onto Jenison.
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Parade continues southbound on Jenison arriving at Lenawee Street, then makes a RIGHT TURN onto Lenawee Street.
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Parade now continues westbound on Lenawee Street (headed towards West Street).
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Parade continues westbound on Lenawee Street towards St. Joe Park (Passing Everett Drive; Passing Verlinden).
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Parade makes a slight LEFT (curve-turn) from Lenawee Street onto Hillsdale:
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The Parade will continue on Hillsdale and advance towards the opening of St. Joe Park, turning RIGHT into the park .