Harlem Village shines spotlight on African-American heritage

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Two weeks after the borough of Brooklyn flaunted a spectacular procession of Caribbean cultural exhibits along a single thoroughfare, Manhattan is set to display African-American pride on a single boulevard located in the Village of Harlem.

Sunday, Sept. 15 is the date for the 55th annual African-American Day parade. Slated to kick-off at noon from 111th St. the creme de la creme of high school and college drill bands, fraternal institutions, social and political organizations, Black firefighters, police officers, nurses, entertainers and a potpourri of proud achievers from nearly every genre plan an unrivaled display of pride in culture and heritage.

For many spectators, an atmosphere of family picnics will prevail dominating sidewalks along Adam Clayton Blvd. spilling onto grassy areas dividers of the thoroughfare, families often secure preferred viewing areas to cheer the floats, vehicles and participants.

On the thoroughfare named for Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., — the first Black congressman elected to represent the haven acclaimed for being the nation’s sanctuary for Blacks — a preponderance of black, red and green flag wavers are expected to reflect the unity Pan-African nationalist Marcus Mosiah Garvey envisioned when he promoted the symbolic colors.

Organizers themed Good Leaders = Good Government … Vote, this year’s mantra naming honorees Rev. Al Sharpton, NYS Attorney General Letitia James, State Senator Cordell Clare, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, NAACP activist Hazel Dukes, and WBLS executive Cynthia Smith. Marshals also include City Councilman Yusef Salaam, Assembly member Stefani Zinerman, and Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson.

Held annually on the third Sunday in September, the parade invites talents of all ages — to showcase talents (in ‘stepping’ musicianship) and other culturally distinct heritage exhibitions.
First started in 1968 with a theme “Africa’s gift to America” the annual brands its existence this year — Harlem Renaissance 3.0.

Previous iterations celebrated Harlem Renaissance 1.0 of the 1920s and 1930s, Harlem Renaissance 2.0 of the 1960s and now with a burgeoning historic political possibility of the first Black female vice president making national headlines, the daughter of Jamaican and Indian heritage Kamala Harris could become the first female commander in chief of the United States of America.

Organizers are emphasizing the need of massive voter participation with voter registration their main goal.
Prior to the parade date, a series of seminars, workshops and art exhibitions will be held at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. state office building.

Days of enlightenment will include health forums, giveaways, dance contests and voter education.
On the actual parade date, in addition to performances from marching bands, deejays, rappers along the route, performances at the 125th St. location — where Powell’s statue towers to memorialize his legacy — judging will culminate with broadcast coverage from WBLS radio.
But that’s not the end of the eclectic procession the Afrocentric display will continue to 137th St.

And for Caribbean nationals yearning for additional revelry from the Brooklyn Labor Day fete, Panama always represents with polleras and traditional guayabera dress while die-hard diasporans masqueraders will take their glitz, feathers and sparkle to the uptown destination.

Catch you On the Inside!