by Dot Cannon
Nine o’clock, Tuesday morning, October 5th, had arrived. Another official announcement was due, from Pasadena Tournament of Roses®.
In just a matter of minutes, 2022 Tournament of Roses® President Dr. Bob Miller would announce the Grand Marshal for the 2022 Rose Parade®.
Now, normally, we have a lot of fun guessing the Grand Marshal’s identity, prior to the announcement. In the past, music selection, decorations and even the food served to media and guests at Tournament House have provided subtle clues to the selection.
This year, due to the pandemic, we observed the announcement as it live-streamed on Tournament of Roses®’ YouTube channel.
As the live stream began, Dr. Miller greeted the audience with a reference to the thunderstorms that had rolled across Southern California on Monday.
“We had the rain, we had the thunder, and the lightning,” he said. “And God is a charter member of the Tournament of Roses® and we knew it was going to be a beautiful day this morning. And it is. So thank You, God.”
(Editor’s note: the Rose Parade®, which debuted in 1890, is never held on a Sunday. This tradition harks back to organizers’ concerns that the marching bands, cheering crowds and decorated floats might scare local churchgoers’ horses. And interestingly, in the 131 years since, it’s only rained ten times on Parade Day, according to the Rose Parade®’s Facebook page.)
The announcement
“I’m truly honored to introduce to you, my wife Barbara’s and my selection for the Grand Marshal for the 2022 Tournament of Roses®” Dr. Miller continued.
“I know every President feels this way, but our Grand Marshal could not more perfectly epitomize this year’s theme: ‘Dream, Believe, Achieve.’, with an emphasis on celebrating education.
“Given the impact of the global pandemic, our theme has expanded beyond the impact of education. It now includes a celebration of perseverance, strength, science and scientists, health professionals, first responders and essential workers. Our Grand Marshal shares our respect and deep gratitude to all these incredible people.
“We also honor those who reach beyond their grasp, and travel the always-rewarding path from dream to reality. Our lives, the lives of those we love, our community and even the world can forever be changed when our hopes are nurtured with passion, fueled with knowledge, and sustained with perseverance.
“And now, you’ll see why our Grand Marshal is the perfect choice.”
Dr. Miller told the audience that the 2022 Grand Marshal had been born in 1957 in West Germany, and raised in Sacramento, California.
An entertainment luminary
“While still studying at USC, and at the age of 19–and yes, this year our Grand Marshal is a ‘he”–he won the breakthrough role that would not only bring him the first of an incredible 37 Emmy Award nominations, but also turn him into an instant star and household name.
“Our Grand Marshal quickly became a highly in-demand working actor on countless live-action and television series, music videos and motion pictures.
“In 1986 he joined the cast of the most successful and beloved syndicated TV series of all time, indelibly linking himself to an iconic franchise, as not only an actor but as a director, filming over 25 episodes of various series in the franchise.”
The 2022 Grand Marshal, Dr. Miller continued, had encompassed all genres with his directorial talents.
“His feature film Blizzard won him a Genie Award nomination for the film’s theme song, and a “Best of Fest” award from the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival. But there’s another children’s project that brought him even greater worldwide fame.”
“In 1983, our Grand Marshal began an incredible 23-year run as host and Executive Producer of one of the longest-running children’s series in PBS history.”
Among the honors garnered by this project, Dr. Miller said, were a Peabody Award, five Image Awards and “thirty-six daytime Emmy nominations, including an astounding twelve wins as a performer and executive producer.”
A mission beyond the accolades
But, Dr. Miller continued, these honors were only part of the story.
“But outside all the accolades, this TV show nurtured his dream to instill a love of reading in generations of children of all ages. It also fulfilled a lifelong pledge and commitment to national literacy.
“The impact of his mission cannot be understated, as it inspired and created countless future authors, writers, readers and leaders.
“In 2012 he joined the Board of Directors of the AIDS Research Alliance, dedicated to finding a cure (for) AIDS. And a pandemic wouldn’t, or couldn’t, stop him from reading books throughout 2020 to children, teenagers and adults, live on Twitter.
“It’s no wonder that in February of 2021, our Grand Marshal was named the Inaugural Literary Champion by PEN/Faulkner.”
Dr. Miller concluded his introduction with mentions of the Grand Marshal’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, creation of the “Skybrary” app, Grammy award wins, podcast and roles including that of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“But it all started with his unforgettable performance as Kunta Kinte on the hit TV miniseries, Roots. But you don’t have to take my word for it. Ladies and gentlemen, Barbara and I are beyond pleased and grateful to present our Grand Marshal for the 2022 Tournament of Roses® –LeVar Burton!”
Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground” played as Mr. Burton took the stage.
“As my first official duty as the Grand Marshal, please allow me to introduce my wife, and the better half of my nature–Stephanie Cozart Burton,” he said. The audience applauded.
Acknowledging inspiration
Mr. Burton said the Rose Parade® and Rose Bowl® game had been a tradition for his family for years.
“Steph and I have continued that tradition with…our daughter. We are over the moon, beyond thrilled, to be a part of this amazing event.”
And the new Grand Marshal shared the source of his inspiration and accomplishments.
“It’s National Teachers’ Day today. So if you know a teacher, hug one–if you’re vaccinated,” he said, drawing laughter from the audience.
“Steph and I both come from families of teachers. Both of our moms were teachers.
“My mother, Irma Jean Christian,–I say my mother’s name every time I get an opportunity in public to speak her name, I do. Irma Jean Christian. .I’m the man that I am, because she was the woman she was.”
The audience clapped, and Mr. Burton chuckled.
“Yeah! Please applaud for my mom! She’s so loving this, right now,” he said, looking heavenward.
“You got applause, Irma! You got applause.”
Mr. Burton continued, “She knew that I would grow up and inherit a world that would sometimes be hostile to my presence simply because of the color of my skin.
And she knew that in order for me to reach my most full potential in life, I needed to be able to have an education on the same level, commensurate with those I consider to be my melanin-challenged classmates. The white kids.”
Laughter rippled through the audience.
“Education has given me the life that I lead because my education was tied to a dream” Mr. Burton said.
“That dream of my mother, Irma Jean, to make sure that her children could compete on a level playing field, in this America. And reach their most full potential.
“I’m a living, breathing proof that dreams do indeed come true. I’m a kid from Sacramento, California. Grew up watching movies and television, revering the civil-rights leaders of my time.
“And this is my life. Never underestimate the power of a dream.
“The (2022 Rose Parade®) theme is, ‘Dream, Believe, Achieve’. And that is the process. There is an absolute link, between that which we dream, and that which we achieve. And the middle connector is imagination. Our imaginations are the superpowers of human beings.
“(On behalf of my family), we thank you for this high honor,” Mr. Burton said. “We are so excited for New Year’s Day, and the 2022 Tournament of Roses ® Parade.”
A “home run”, a love story and a “circle”
In his closing remarks, Dr. Miller commented that he and his wife, Barbara, had “hit the home run” in their selection of the 2022 Grand Marshal.
Celebrating education, he said, was a main goal for them, as he had spent 44 years in education at Pasadena City College. In addition, they wanted a Grand Marshal who could convey the Tournament’s message of equity, inclusion and education as the great equalizer.
And finally, Dr. Miller said, “We are where we are today. because of science and scientists,…healthcare professionals, first responders essential workers. We found that solution and survived…because of all those people. And we wanted someone who understood that, respected that and would represent that.”
After introducing his wife, Barbara and his sister-in-law, and thanking Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo for his attendance that morning, Dr. Miller also shared a love story–and a “full circle”.
“The Burtons celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary two days ago,” he said, to applause. “…And they met when Stephanie was a makeup artist, when LeVar was working on a project.
“In 1989, …(Stephanie) worked with Avon… (and) was one of the makeup artists that took care of our court, in that year. So now we’ve come full circle, …there’s always a plan. God always has a plan and this is the plan.”
“…We could not be happier, and we want to welcome LeVar and Stephanie to the Tournament of Roses® family for life.”