African American Day Parade highlighting Black education

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The 56th Annual African American Day Parade (AADP) will take place on Sunday, Sept. 21, from 12:30 to 6 p.m. along Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard in Harlem.

This year’s theme, “Education is Our #1 Priority,” will be reflected in floats, marching bands, community organizations, civil servants, performance groups, elected officials, fraternities and sororities, unions, celebrities, and national figures.

“With the passing of Congressman Charles Rangel; Hazel Dukes, president of the NAACP New York State Conference; Lloyd Williams, president and CEO of the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce and co-founder of Harlem Week; and Tamara Norman, vice chair emeritus of the African American Day Parade, we salute them for their unwavering support of education and commitment to our community. They will be truly missed,” said Yusuf Hasan, chairman of the African American Day Parade, Inc. “One of the goals of the parade is to uplift the community’s spirits as we move forward.”

The AADP celebration spans two days, beginning on Saturday, Sept. 20, with the 3rd Annual Get Involved: Community, Literacy, Health, and Culture Celebration from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Plaza. The event will feature live performances, literacy activities, giveaways, prizes, a health panel, and on-site health services.

On Sunday, the parade will honor this year’s grand marshals, including leaders of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs): Dr. Tony Allen, president of Delaware State University; Dr. Martin Lamelle Jr., president of Grambling State University; and Dr. Patrice Ramsey, president of Medgar Evers College.

Additional grand marshals include Sandra Bookman, anchor of Eyewitness News on ABC7/WABC-TV; WBLS 107.5 FM radio personality Dr. Bob Lee; Joy Bivins, director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture; and the founder and CEO of the Make the Grade Foundation.

Local school principals will also serve as marshals: Dr. Shawn F. Brown, principal of Uniondale High School on Long Island; Francina Yaw-Costello, principal of Amber Charter School in Inwood; and Jean E. Jeanty, principal of Pugsley Preparatory Academy Middle School in the Bronx.

For the second year in a row, WABC-TV will partner with the AADP to livestream the parade on ABC7NY.com.

“I am very excited to celebrate our educators this year, as well as acknowledge our supportive sponsors, including Northwell Health, Mount Sinai, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture,” said Jasmine Robinson, AADP administrative coordinator and granddaughter of AADP founding member Abe Snyder. “The community’s constant support and energy are what not only keep the parade alive but keep me going as well.”