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The first round of parade participants for the 2013 White House Inaugural Parade was released this week. Washington DC’s (Ballou High School)  will be one of the participants along with many others. The 57th Inaugural Parade wil be held Monday, January 21st, 2013. The parade will begin at the steps of the U.S. Capital Building and proceed along Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House. Here’s a brief list of other African American groups and organizations participating:

54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment

Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts

The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment is an organization of volunteers dedicated to preserving the history of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, the first African-American military unit to be raised in Massachusetts during the Civil War, and to recognizing the contributions of African-American soldiers and officers during the Civil War.

54th Mass Volunteer Infantry Regiment Company B

Silver Spring, Maryland

The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment Company B in Maryland seeks similar goals and regularly puts on battle reenactments, interpretive programs, training seminars, and other programming to educate the public about the role of African American soldiers in the Civil War.

Ballou Senior High School “Majestic” Marching Knights

Washington, D.C.

Ballou High School was founded in the early 1960s to serve residents in the southern part of Anacostia<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anacostia,_Washington,_D.C.>, including Congress Heights<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congress_Heights,_Washington,_D.C.>, Washington Highlands<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Highlands,_Washington,_D.C.>, and Bellevue<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellevue,_Washington,_D.C.>. The school was named for Dr. Frank Washington Ballou, superintendent of the DC public schools from 1920 to 1943.[4]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballou_High_School#cite_note-4> Ballou SHS is known for having one of the best choirs and bands in the District. The Ballou SHS band has traveled to California and Alabama and placed in the top three in both national competitions. The Ballou SHS band is directed by Mr. Darrell Watsos and volunteer Ballou alumni staff.

Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission

Awendaw, South Carolina

The Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission is based in South Carolina and represents a unique culture shaped by enslaved west and central Africans brought to southern United States. Stretching from Wilmington, North Carolina to Jacksonville, Florida, the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor is known by its cultural and linguistic traditions.

Isiserettes Drill & Drum Corp

Des Moines, Iowa

The Isiserettes are composed of both males and females ranging from the ages 7 to 18 years old. Two of the major goals set for the youth are to build character and social skills.  We stress the importance of a formal education while helping the youth develop their creative and natural abilities.  We pride ourselves on our ability to expose the group to other diverse communities and environments different from their own.

The Isiserettes have traveled throughout the State of Iowa as well as the United States serving as ambassadors for the Black Community, the city of Des Moines and the state of Iowa.  The team has been awarded numerous trophies and awards for their performances.  We have been honored to receive the NAACP Community Service Award of Excellence and the KCCI TV-8 Leading the Way Award for Volunteer Service.

Little Rock Central High School Marching Band

Little Rock, Arkansas

The Little Rock Central High School Band is an award-winning marching band featuring student musicians from Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, AR. Named a U.S. National Historic Landmark, Central High School has a rich history beginning in 1969 and for its role in the racial desegregation of schools during the Civil Rights Movement.

South Shore Drill Team

Chicago, Illinois

South Shore Drill Team from Chicago, Illinois uses the performing arts to create a positive and creative outlet to engage and mitigate the dangers facing inner-city youth throughout their critical teenage years. The program seeks to guide members toward completing their education and becoming responsible citizens. The South Shore Drill Team performs at more than 125 events and serves more than 300 young people from ages 8 to 21 every year.