The 53rd annual Africa Day Parade returned to Harlem on September 18.
Photo by Dean Moses
The 53rd annual African American Day Parade returned to Harlem on Sept. 18 with the theme “Good Health is Essential,” honoring individuals who have helped promote wellness in the African community.
Floats and marches steadily rolled through Harlem on Sunday after hundreds of onlookers danced to music and waved flags. It was clear that in addition to encouraging health, spectators and participants looked back with pride on their heritage and paid homage to African American culture and pioneers.
Waving red and green flags, the colors represent the wealth left behind by the ancestors of African Americans when they were forced into slavery while the crimson symbolizes the bloodshed.
This year’s recipients included Dr. Michelle Henry; nurse Sandra Lindsay; director of Northwell Bernard Robinson, vice president and director of diversity operations for Mount Sinai Health System Pamela Abner; and Dr. Gary Butts.
Prior to the parade, participants were also treated to a literacy event from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on 127th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard for games, activities, a
mini-basketball tournament, and several prizes and gifts.
The parade started at 1 p.m. and marched from Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and 111th Street to 137th Street and saw the likes of Mayor Eric Adams, Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and many others also raise their flags in honor of the day.
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