Charleston’s interim chief of police to lead 2018 MLK Parade
January 3, 2018
Jerome Taylor, interim chief of police for the Charleston Police Department, will serve as parade marshal during the Charleston region’s 46th Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.
Taylor will kick off the MLK Parade at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 15, rain or shine.
Nearly 100 parade floats and groups are expected to make their way from Burke High School to Marion Square in downtown Charleston during the roughly 90-minute event, which is free and open to the public. A crowd of approximately three thousand is expected to cheer them on.
The parade will also be live-streamed by WCBD News 2 at CountOn2.com.
Taylor has served as the interim chief of police for the Charleston Police Department since August. Prior to his appointment by Mayor John Tecklenburg, he served as the deputy chief of police. Known for his career-long commitment to strengthening collaboration between community members and law enforcement officials, he has received numerous community awards. He also served in the U.S. Navy in Vietnam and in the Navy Reserves, and returned to active duty during Desert Shield and Desert Storm, earning several military commendations.
“We can think of no one better to lead the parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Day,” said LaVanda Brown, executive director of YWCA Greater Charleston, which is putting on the parade in partnership with the City of Charleston. “This parade is a historic cornerstone of our ten-day MLK Celebration, and in August Interim Chief Taylor made history by becoming the second black Charleston police chief since the force was established in 1856. He has been determined and untiring in his efforts to bring our community together in the pursuit of safety and unity.”
Taylor is a life member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, among other affiliations. He has served in law enforcement for more than 40 years, holds a master’s degree in management, and is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy.
He and his wife Joyce have four daughters—Lisa, Theresa, Dan, and Taniqua—and a host of grandchildren.
Parade entries will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. Friday, January 5. Participants can register online at ywca-charlestonsc.org or by calling 843-722-1644. Entry fees range from $20 per group of walkers to $25 per float and $30 per bus. Participants should plan to arrive at 8:00 a.m. to line up.
ABOUT THE MLK CELEBRATION
The 46th Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration is one of Charleston’s longest running events, predating Spoleto Festival USA and other well-known local events. The annual celebration was founded by YWCA Greater Charleston and first held in January 1972—one of the first such tributes to Dr. King in the nation. The MLK Business and Professional Breakfast was added in January 2000 in partnership with former Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Today the celebration is the largest tribute to Dr. King in South Carolina, attracting 30,000 celebrants each year.
ABOUT YWCA GREATER CHARLESTON
For 110 years, YWCA Greater Charleston has served women, children, and families in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties in its mission to empower women and eliminate racism. By engaging area residents and organizations, it seeks to create opportunities for the personal growth, leadership, and economic development of women and people of color in order to attain justice, freedom, and dignity for all people. It is a longstanding local association of YWCA USA, one of the oldest and largest multicultural women’s organizations in the United States. For over 150 years, YWCA USA has been at the forefront of most social movements—from civil rights, affordable housing, and pay equity to domestic violence prevention and healthcare reform. For more information, visit ywca-charlestonsc.org.
