Rose Parade grand marshals also have become more diverse: Chaka Kahn in 2019 Rita Moreno, Laurie Hernandez and Gina Torres in 2020 and now LeVar Burton in 2022. The ethnic breakdown of membership was 11 percent African American, 20 percent Latino, 20 percent Asian and 49 percent white. In 2020, by the Tournament’s own account, its volunteers were comprised of more women than men, with an average age of 43.
And indeed, the staff, volunteers and participants in the Tournament today resemble Southern California’s diverse society more than in its white-gloved - and just plain white - past. “Change is not a revolution, but an evolution,” Eads is fond of saying. Leo Jarzomb, SCNG photographerĪmid tumult and tiaras is David Eads, the Tournament of Roses Association’s executive director and CEO, who in 2016 came from the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce with the specific charge to expand the various audiences and platforms for the Rose Parade, Rose Bowl Game and associated events - in other words, to keep the Tournament of Roses relevant in a changing world. How Tournament of Roses stays relevant after racist history, forced pandemic cancellation – Orange County Register Close MenuĬEO David Eads joined the Tournament of Roses with a commission to help Pasadena’s longtime event evolve and reach broader audiences.