New York City Celebrates African Heritage with 34th Annual African American Day Parade
New York, NY (emergingminds.org) -- On the median of Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard., parents and children joined a host of New York politicians and marching band among others waving African flags in a show of solidarity and appreciation for a proud African heritage.
The 34th Annual African American Day Parade was supported by New York mayoral candidate Fernando Ferrer, the Rev. Al Sharpton and Manhattan Borough President C. Virgina Fields. These politicians began their trek from 111th to 142nd Streets, waving to the crowd and shaking eager hands as the parade slowly moved in lock step.
High school marching bands, members of unions, police and fire departments, black college fraternities and sororities, costumed beauty queens, and military personnel marched past as hundreds of parade-goers shouted out in enjoyment.
Jumbo shrimp, vegetarian dishes, and other traditional soul food could be found along side booths of handcrafted jewelry and other souvenirs with an African flavor. R&B and rap blasted from both sides of 125th Street, where marching bands and radio station floats paused to deliver staged performances.
Local paper NY Newsday noted that although this "might not be the biggest parade in the city...block coordinator and 11-year volunteer Waleeda Daniel said she's seen the parade draw more out-of-town marching bands and community support every year."
The 34th Annual African American Day Parade was supported by New York mayoral candidate Fernando Ferrer, the Rev. Al Sharpton and Manhattan Borough President C. Virgina Fields. These politicians began their trek from 111th to 142nd Streets, waving to the crowd and shaking eager hands as the parade slowly moved in lock step.
High school marching bands, members of unions, police and fire departments, black college fraternities and sororities, costumed beauty queens, and military personnel marched past as hundreds of parade-goers shouted out in enjoyment.
Jumbo shrimp, vegetarian dishes, and other traditional soul food could be found along side booths of handcrafted jewelry and other souvenirs with an African flavor. R&B and rap blasted from both sides of 125th Street, where marching bands and radio station floats paused to deliver staged performances.
Local paper NY Newsday noted that although this "might not be the biggest parade in the city...block coordinator and 11-year volunteer Waleeda Daniel said she's seen the parade draw more out-of-town marching bands and community support every year."
