By HWM
New York’s historic village of Harlem will come alive this Saturday, June 15th, 2024, with the 31st Annual Juneteenth Parade and Street Fair.
The vibrant celebration honors the oldest commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States.
Parade Honors Emancipation Legacy
Kicking off at 11 am EST on 116th Street between Malcolm X Boulevard and 5th Avenue, the Juneteenth parade will feature New York State Senator Cordell Cleare as the Grand Marshal.
Cleare and the Juneteenth Committee of Masjid Malcolm Shabazz will present proclamations to nine distinguished grand marshals:
- Charles Gabriel of Charles’ Pan Fried Chicken
- Joann Baylor of Make My Cake and Ma Smith’s Dessert Café
- Councilman Yusef Salaam, member of the Exonerated 5
- Hon. J. Machelle Sweeting, Acting NY State Supreme Court Justice
- Shatic Mitchell, Director of Civic Engagement at Central Park Conservancy
- Dr. Lena L. Green, Executive Director of The Hope Center Harlem
- Dr. Hemant Patel of Dr. Patel’s Family Health Center
- Bill Moore, award-winning photographer
- Diane Anderson, CEO/Founder of Meet Me At The Crossroads
Students from Wadleigh High School will lead the parade singing the Black National Anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Street Fair Celebrates African American Culture
Following the parade, a lively street fair will take over 116th Street in Harlem until 6 pm. Visitors can immerse themselves in the historical, educational and cultural expressions of the African American experience through:
- Live music and entertainment
- Educational exhibits and activities
- Food and merchandise vendors
- Fun activities for children
Elected officials expected to join the festivities include Attorney General Letitia James, Mayor Eric Adams, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and other Harlem political leaders.
Commemorating an Important Milestone
Juneteenth, now a federal holiday as of June 2021, commemorates June 19, 1865 – the day the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas learned of their freedom over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. As New York researches its role in slavery under the new Reparations law, the Juneteenth celebration provides an opportunity to reflect on the lasting impacts of enslavement. The parade and street fair offer a joyous way for the community to come together, celebrate Black culture, and continue important dialogues around justice and equality.
Photo credit: 1) Band (with American flag) performing in Texas for Emancipation Day, 1900Emancipation Day celebration in Richmond, Virginia, 1905. Wiki
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