Skip to content
Newsroom

Paris, Texas NAACP Prepares for MLK Day Celebration, Names Campbell’s O’Neale Grand Marshal of Parade

Press Releases

PARIS, Texas, Jan 07, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) — The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
announced today that Campbell Soup Company’s (NYSE:CPB) Chief
Diversity & Inclusion Officer Rosalyn Taylor O’Neale will serve as grand
marshal of the Martin Luther King (MLK) day parade, to be held here on
January 16.

Organized by the local chapter of the NAACP, this year’s MLK day parade
will be themed “Unity in the Community.” A number of city and county
officials will participate in the parade, including Mayor Jesse
Freeland, City Council Members, Sheriff BJ McCoy, Police Chief Bob
Huntley and Fire Chief Grooms. The NAACP expects more than 1,000 people
to attend the fifth annual parade.

A series of incidents in 2009 sparked racial tensions in the Paris
community. In early 2009, U.S. Department of Justice officials attempted
to moderate tensions between whites and African Americans in the east
Texas town.

“For the Paris community, 2009 was a year marked by high racial
tensions,” said Reverend James Price, President, NAACP-Paris Chapter.
“This year’s MLK Day parade provides an ideal venue for us to find
common ground among all residents of our community. In addition to
celebrating the life and accomplishments of Dr. King, we are hopeful
that the parade will be another step in uniting our community. The NAACP
recognizes that this journey must include the whole community–residents,
city leaders and corporate citizens such as Campbell Soup Company and
others.”

Campbell has operated a plant in Paris since 1964 and employs
approximately 1,000 people. The company and its employees have been
actively involved in many community initiatives, including the local
United Way campaign and numerous grants awarded through the Campbell
Soup Foundation to local nonprofit organizations. O’Neale, 59, has spent
more than 20 years leading global diversity efforts across a range of
industries and cultures. During her career, she has been a corporate
executive, business leader, consultant and author.

O’Neale said, “I am the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King’s work and am
truly honored to represent Campbell Soup Company on this day of unity as
we celebrate the life and dreams of Dr. King. Campbell has long been an
active participant in Paris, and we are committed to contributing to the
advancement of the city. As a company whose products are enjoyed by
people of all races and from all walks of life, we recognize the
importance of diversity and inclusion in all facets of our company and
business.”

The parade will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Jan. 16 at the MLK Church of
Christ, 195 MLK Drive and will proceed to the Saint Paul Baptist Church
454 2nd Street, where O’Neale, Rev. Price and Police Chief
Huntley will address the audience.

Campbell will provide parade goers with free soup, Pepperidge Farm
products and V8 juices following the parade at St. Paul Church.

About the NAACP

The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic
equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and
racial discrimination.

About Campbell Soup Company

Campbell Soup Company is a global manufacturer and marketer of
high-quality foods and simple meals, including soup, baked snacks, and
healthy beverages. Founded in 1869, the company has a portfolio of
market-leading brands, including “Campbell’s,” “Pepperidge Farm,”
“Arnott’s,” and “V8.” For more information on the company, visit
Campbell’s website at www.campbellsoup.com.

SOURCE: Campbell Soup Company

NAACP
Yulanda "Pinky" Robins, 903-491-6754
or
Campbell Soup Company
Anthony Sanzio, 856-968-4390
Share
FacebookTwitterLinkedInShare
Press Releases

Join our mailing list

Sign up to get the latest company news. Delivered from our family to yours.