2024 Black Rose Award Winner James C. Baker II Builds the San Bernardino Black History Parade 2025 Grand Marshal’s Float
The 2024 Black Rose Award Winner, James C. Baker II, has designed and built the 2025 San Bernardino Black History Parade Grand Marshal’s Float.
“We’re thrilled to have a 2024 award winner step up to build this year’s Grand Marshal ’s Float for the Black History Parade,” said Black Culture Foundation President Carl M. Dameron.
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – City of Moreno Valley Park Commissioner James C. Baker II
has stepped up to build the 2025 San Bernardino Black History Parade Grand Marshal’s Float. This six-time nominee for the Moreno Valley Citizen of the Year Award and 2016 California Parks & Recreation Society Community Champion Award winner loves to help his community!
In addition to his Black Rose Award, in 2024, he garnered a Humanitarian Award for his award-winning International Philippine Christmas Children’s Feeding Program, which fed over 6,000 hot Christmas spaghetti dinners to the poorest of the poor. As one of the organization’s stakeholders, he also donates to the Philippine Board of Education.
Then, there’s his “M” Landmark Improvement Project. Baker refurbished the iconic “M” Landmark on the side of Box Springs Mountain, which has been shining since December 2013.
“So, who better to build the Grand Marshal’s Float than ‘Mr. Float maker?” said Black Culture Foundation President Carl M. Dameron.
From left to right: Inland Empire NCNW President Amy Malone, Black Rose Winner Chuck Singleton, John Salley’s daughter, and Grand Marshal NBA basketball legend John Salley, riding on the float designed and built by James Baker.
The man who has built city and state award-winning parade floats since 2014 for Moreno Valley and the City of Perris, as well as the 2024 Grand Marshal’s Float for the Black History Parade in Riverside, that’s who.
Jim says he came from modest beginnings and told. His parents had just enough money to buy a home and put food on the table. They kept him active in school, telling him how important an education was.
In the turbulent ’60s, he watched the plight of Black leaders from Dr. King down to his father, who worked in the City Clerk’s department. Tom Bradley and Jim’s father were fraternity brothers.
Observing the many hardships they all went through and watching the riots and turmoil on TV in the ’70s, he decided to better his life and the lives of others he encountered.
Baker’s drive toward excellence has never died. He says, “If life knocks you down, say that little prayer, take that mandatory eight-count, and come back up swinging!”
That’s how winners prevail. That’s how winners are made. And James C. Baker II is a winner!
Baker is seeking volunteers to assist with the design and construction of the 2026 Black Culture Foundation float. For more information, please email him at jcbaker534@gmail.com.
Black History Parade Grand Marshal basketball ledgend John Salley and his daughter.
About the Black Culture Foundation
The Black Culture Foundation’s purpose “…is to foster an interest and a greater understanding of Black culture, to heighten community awareness of the accomplishments of Black people, past and present, and to plan, coordinate and direct an annual Black History Month parade and related cultural activities…and bridge the gaps across cultural lines by bringing the local community together to celebrate this event in unity.”
For more information about the Black Culture Foundation, go to SBBCFoundation.org.
Tags: Black History Parade, James C. Baker II, John Salley, The 2024 Black Rose Award Winner