African American Day Parade Celebrated in Harlem

unday, September 18^th was a truly beautiful day in Harlem. Not only was the weather gorgeous, but thousands of people gathered along Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard for the Annual African American Day Parade, the largest Black parade in the nation.

As Abe Snyder, the parade’s Chairman, stated, he and twelve other people started the parade 36 years ago because they wanted "to do something for the African American community that would be positive for us." Because there is so much negative press about their people, they wanted to showcase the positive achievements. "We have doctors, lawyers and all kinds of professionals," Snyder noted. "That’s the key we focus on for kids standing on the sidelines. This says to them that they can become doctors, lawyers, engineers – anything they want."

Proudly marching up the boulevard were members of such organizations as the National Society of Black Engineers, the Association of Black Social Workers, the Federation of Black Civil Service Organizations, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, and the National Association of Black Accountants. There was a float that honored Lewis Howard Latimer, the inventor of the carbon filament light bulb.

Present as well in great abundance were community-based organizations and clubs that made it clear that they know there are large challenges facing the community, but they are taking positive approaches to overcoming them. There was the Grandparents’ Empowerment Movement, "A Support Group for Parenting Grandparents." Its motto is, "If Not Us, Who? If Not Now, When?"

Another group carried a banner that was very direct in its message: "Jail Ain’t No Good." They marched with big posters of positive Black role models such as Harriet Tubman, Fredrick Douglass, Marcus Garvey, and Malcolm X, while their float bore the statement, "We Must Establish Business and Industry To Support Quality Education."

Also marching was the Coalition of 100 Black Women, who carried such signs as, "We are beautiful! We are powerful! We are phenomenal Black women!" Carole Davis’ sign referred to the organization’s mentoring program. It read, "If we don’t mentor our children, the prison system Will!"

It was great to see the profusion of schools and organizations determined to uplift and educate the youth, like the Eagle Academy for Young Men, the Clara Mohammed School, and Rasheed Muhammad and Associates that is "Preparing Today’s Youth for Success." Some organizations, such as the karate school Harlem Goju USA, provided a glimpse into what they are teaching the children that will help them build confidence, character and self-esteem. The Harlem Knights football team also gave a taste of its wares, while the East New York Brooklyn Panthers football team cheered them on.

African American lodges, fraternities and sororities were also out in large number, as were Black union members and personnel working in fire departments, police and other law enforcement departments. There was a wonderful variety of little-known but dedicated organizations that also represent important aspects of Black heritage, such as One Nation, Many Tribes and the Federation of Black Cowboys.

And, of course, there were the cheerleaders, steppers, and marching bands. In addition to New York’s own, there were around thirty high school, college and community bands from Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut and elsewhere.

Throughout the afternoon, no one had to go hungry or thirsty. There was plenty to eat and drink all along the parade route as well as on 125^th Street between Adam Clayton Powell and Malcolm X Boulevards which was closed off to traffic and lined with booths for this festive occasion.