“font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;”>The first African-American krewe in the history of the St. Louis Mardi Gras Parade, an event heralded as the second largest in the United States, made its debut this weekend and placed second.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>It started off as a dare. Donald Gage received a challenge from Tom Ray, owner of Vintage Vinyl and producer for KDHX Community Media, to enter an African-American krewe.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Gage presented the idea to his Black Cinema Sunday crew, a group of friends who have met on the second Sunday of every month to watch black film for the past six years.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The crew soon became a krewe.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The theme of the krewe was ZULU: Expressions of the Diaspora. This theme was selected with two objectives in mind: to pay homage to the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club of New Orleans and to provide a visual presentation of Carnivale from countries represented as part of the African Diaspora.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Colorful costumes were the vision of Mama Lisa Gage, owner of Fundisha Enterprises. The float was beautifully crafted and contracted from VP of St. Louis.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Zulu Coconuts, the most sought after throw in New Orleans, were obtained and personalized by the Black Cinema Sunday Krewe for distribution to St. Louis revelers. Beads were purchased, and the Krewe readied itself for March 5.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Cold rain did not deter revelers and certainly did not dampen the spirit of the Black Cinema Sunday Krewe members. They made quite an impression on parade attendees, other krewes and the judges.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The Black Cinema Sunday Krewe took second place, quite an accomplishment for a group of friends who entered on a dare to integrate one of most racially isolated events in this segregated city.
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