At 11 a.m. Saturday, February 15, downtown Minden will be the site of MLK/Black History Parade celebration and a fun-filled day.

This year the parade will have 40 entries including seven bands for the fan-favorites’ Battle of the Bands. Competing are Minden High, Webster Junior High, Mansfield High, Woodlawn and Green Oaks from Shreveport as well as Ridgewood Band and Arcadia High School. Judges will be Jasmine Cooksey, LaGatha,D.Coleman McCoy.

Local vendors will be on-hand and the Youth Rally with Scholarship Winners will take place.

Gloria Smith Moody will serve as Grand Marshal of the parade.

Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Mrs. Moody has spent a lifetime dedicated to education, Black history and civic engagement, leaving an enduring impact on countless students and community members.

Growing up in a hardworking family, the daughter of Thomas and Ollie Mae Smith, she was one of eight siblings—five brothers and two sisters.

A proud graduate of Scotlandville High School, Class of 1961, Mrs. Moody achieved the prestigious honor of Salutatorian. She continued her education at Southern University, earning her Master’s degree and Plus 30 in History and Library Science. Her love for history—especially Black history and civics—would become the foundation of her teaching career.

In 1967, at just 23 years old, Mr. Leon Hayes recruited Mrs. Moody to teach at Webster High School.

She was instrumental in launching the Veterans Program at Lakeside Jr. High, ensuring that veterans—especially Black veterans—were recognized and honored for their service. She also led the 4-H program, inspiring students to be engaged citizens.

Even in retirement, Mrs. Moody remains a fierce advocate for Black history education. On her 75th birthday, she personally purchased and distributed more than 75 Black history books to families in the community. She has also donated books to local schools in Webster Parish and maintains a personal Black history museum in her home. Her motto is simple but powerful: “History repeats itself.”

 Entries are still being accepted for the parade. Click here to sign up: https://bit.ly/2025MindenMLKBlackHistoryParade .