57th African American Day Parade to highlight business sustainability; Grambling marching band to lead

Organizers of the 57th annual African American Day Parade told BronxNet they will put a renewed emphasis on business sustainability and support for Black-owned enterprises. Youssef Hassan, identified on-air as parade chairman, said the parade will focus on five annual areas this year with business as the lead theme and that the event aims to "turn those dollars over" into the community.

Hassan said the parade weekend includes a Saturday literacy, culture and health event on the Harlem State Office Building plaza and that Grambling State's marching band will lead the parade. He said organizers had more than 300 organizations registered to march and roughly 40 floats signed up so far. "We have over 300 organizations already signed up to march... with over 40 floats lined up," Hassan said.

Kathleen Adams, owner of Angel of Harlem and a parade marshal, described her restaurant’s community work — including Girl Scout brunches, arts programming and charitable "impact" events — and said local businesses are important for sustaining neighborhood economic life. Organizers invited groups to register at Africanamericandayparade.org and to contact info@AfricanAmericanDayParade.org for more information.