The famed Grambling State University (GSU) Tiger Marching Band is scheduled to lead the 57th African American Day Parade (AADP), which will take place Sept. 20 in Harlem.
The renowned marching band from the Louisiana historically Black university will appear as part of the celebration of Grambling State University’s 125th anniversary and the Tiger Marching Band’s 100th anniversary.
GSU also participated in last year’s African American Day Parade with a float featuring university President Dr. Martin Lemelle Jr., who served as one of several HBCU presidents selected as grand marshals.
This year’s parade theme, “Good Businesses Sustain Our Future,” celebrates the vital role Black-owned businesses play in creating opportunity, building wealth, and strengthening communities.
“We need to make a way for our community to take care of ourselves, get back on our feet, and remain solvent. One of the ways to do that is to purchase from our own—even if we must spend a bit more to show our support,” said Yusuf Hasan, chairman of African American Day Parade Inc.
This year’s grand marshals are Barbara Askins, president of the Harlem Business Improvement District (BID); J. Alexander Martin, FUBU co-founder and president of the New York State Black Chamber of Commerce; Chef Charles Gabriel, founder of Charles Pan-Fried Chicken; Michael Preston, co-owner of Harlem Rocket; and Cheryl McKissack Daniel, chair of the board of McKissack & McKissack.
The parade’s marshals are Michael Katlow Cox, CEO of Memorie 4 Life Photography LLC and PIPE TV; Arva Rice, president and CEO of the New York Urban League; Jahkeen Washington, CEO of the Harlem Kettlebell Club; Mari Moss, CEO of Midas Touch Consultant Firm; and Kathleen Adams, co-owner of Angel of Harlem.
AADP is also introducing the Community Institution Award, which recognizes organizations whose leadership and service have made a lasting impact on the African American community.
The inaugural award will be presented to the Apollo Theater in recognition of its enduring legacy of advancing Black culture, artistic excellence, and community engagement.
The AADP celebration spans two days, beginning Saturday, Sept. 19, with the 4th Annual Get Involved: Community, Literacy, Health, and Culture Celebration from noon to 5 p.m. at Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Plaza. The event will feature live entertainment, literacy activities, giveaways, prizes, a health panel, and on-site health services.
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The parade will begin Sunday, Sept. 20, at 12:30 p.m., traveling along Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard from West 111th Street to West 138th Street. A pre-parade show will begin at 11 a.m. at West 125th Street.
Also leading the parade will be the Federation of Black Cowboys, followed by more than 35 floats, community organizations, marching units, and family-friendly performances. Organizers expect approximately 900,000 spectators to line the parade route.
WABC-TV will partner with AADP to livestream the parade on ABC7NY.com.
