48th Annual African American Day Parade

By Journalist Ms. Jones

HARLEM – Thousands of people attended the 48th Annual African American Day Parade in Harlem on Sunday, September 17. The parade is held every third Sunday in September. This year’s theme was “Salute to a Better Health” and it honored African American health professionals. Special guests included: Actor and Comedian Nick Cannon, The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Celebrity Psychologist Dr. Jeff Gardere, Celebrity Dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry, and Celebrity Personal Trainer Lacole Broadus. Reviewing Stand Announcers included: Comedian Talent, WBLS On Air Radio Personality Dr. Bob Lee, and NYS Committeewoman Yasmin Cornelius.

Various people and organizations participated in the 48th Annual African American Day Parade, including the New York and New Jersey Port Authority Police and the Guardians Association of the New York State Corrections & Law Enforcement Officers.

“I like to see the police and I like to see the corrections,” said Jean Bethune from Queens.
Other people and organizations that partook in the parade included numerous fire departments, the National Association of Black Military Women, the I am Peace Movement, the Department of Sanitation, the Federation of Negro Civil Service Organizations, The New York State Parole Guardians, Not on My Watch! Safe Haven Network International, the National Council of Negro Women of Westchester County, Harlem Children’s Zone, the Association of Black School Educators of New York, the National Association of Black Social Workers, The New York Black Nurses Association, politicians, religious organizations, and GirlTrek.

Charlie Graham has been going to the Annual African American Day Parade since its inception and has only missed a few years when he served in Vietnam.

“I enjoy the entertainment, the people… and these are my people. I especially love the bands that come from the South ‘cause I’m a Southern boy myself… You’re gonna see the bands come through from Baltimore ‘cause they always come,” said Graham.

The Christian Warriors Marching Band came all the way from Baltimore to perform in the 48th Annual African American Day Parade.

The Sugar Babies Dance Group of Harlem kept the crowd energized. Fetch Dance showed their flairs in the parade. The Harlem Goju Association demonstrated their karate skills as they journeyed the parade route.

Katrina Carter enjoyed watching many groups.

“I like to see… especially the young ones… There was a group of young girls, all honor students,” said Katrina Carter. She also liked to watch the sororities and fraternities.

Various sororities and fraternities stepped in the parade, keeping parade goers entertained, including the Alphas, the Kappas, the Deltas, the AKAs, the Zetas, and Sigma Gamma Rho.
DJ Raw Kiss rocked the crowd with throwbacks and the latest music and dance moves.

Former Soul Train Dancer and New York Native Camella Palmer participated in the parade with Reverend Al Sharpton and the National Action Network. She has been to the Annual African American Day Parade several times.

“There’s no place like New York. I can never get enough of it and I love Harlem. I have fond memories. My family was all brought up here and I still have family members here. I always visit,” said Palmer.

For more information or to donate to the African American Day Parade, visit www.africanamericandayparade.org.

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