# Gerald Freeny: First Black President of the Rose Parade | Irvine News

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/irvine-news-today-2-min-news-the-daily-news-now-7571856/gerald-freeny-first-black-president-of-the-rose-parade-irvine-news
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/irvine-news-today-2-min-news-the-daily-news-now-7571856/gerald-freeny-first-black-president-of-the-rose-parade-irvine-news.md
Podcast: [Irvine News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!](https://stenobird.com/podcast/irvine-news-today-2-min-news-the-daily-news-now-7571856)
Published: 2026-09-05T10:16:43+00:00
Episode link: https://sources.thednn.ai/2cb7bc131fded13e
Audio file: https://api.fastcast.ai/audio/3a608d4b-c27a-4031-9765-e3045cc01efd.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/irvine-news-today-2-min-news-the-daily-news-now-7571856/episodes/gerald-freeny-first-black-president-of-the-rose-parade-irvine-news
Duration seconds: 101

## Resource

Gerald Freeny, the trailblazing first Black president of the Tournament of Roses, has died at 66, leaving behind a legacy of courage, community, and unyielding spirit. Rising from his childhood awe of the Rose Parade to leading it in 2019 with the powerful theme “The Melody of Life,” Freeny shattered barriers while battling life-threatening illness and championing organ donation. His journey—from joining the Tournament in 1988 with high school friends to serving on multiple committees—was fueled by deep-rooted service and love for Pasadena. Freeny’s impact resonates through his family, his community, and every float he helped inspire. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Report issues to feedback@thednn.ai. View sources & latest updates: https://sources.thednn.ai/2cb7bc131fded13e Presented by The Plant Daddies — rare specimen trees, living art, and hand-carved limestone vessels and fountains for extraordinary spaces. Showrooms in Los Angeles and Irvine. Listeners of Irvine News Today receive 10% off with code LANEWS10. theplantdaddies.com/lanews

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