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Summary
Established in 2005,
the African Day Parade will prove to be one of the most diverse African
cultural events to take place in New York City. The Parade brings
together performing groups representing Central, North, South, East, and
West Africa. The breadth of the work begins with a March pageant, which
includes African dancing costumes, music, drums, folklore, etc. and
culminates with the Fair on 116th St, Harlem featuring,
staged musical performances, fashion, design art, folklore dance, and
live bands…
African Day Parade
is the brainchild of young African professionals; each from diverse
backgrounds. These organizers saw not only, "a lack of representation
on stages from the countries that comprise Africa," but "an absence of
African culture in American parade, festivals and cultural productions
as a whole". In the coming years, the Parade will become a forum for
participating groups to share history and testimony.
Behind Africa; We
All Are United
has emerged as the theme of the 2007 African Day Parade. A number of
the participants of the African Day Parade are Citizens of Africa, the
African American, and Caribbean Community, Artists, Business and Media
Professionals.
We
believe that the upcoming African Day parade will present a true
picture of African culture.
Our
Vision
Many in the world are heralding the dawn of an "African Millennium".
Culturally and politically, Africa is poised to undergo more changes and
wield more influence in the world than ever before. However, much of
what is visually documented about Africa is a view from the outside. We
believe that if Africans are given an opportunity to present their art
to the world, Africa will gain renewed respect and authentically be
given a chance to express her promising future.
Our
objective is to provide a global voice for Africans to showcase their
heritage.
This
is what our intensions are with the African Day parade.
Our Mission
To
become an internationally acknowledged Parade; The African Day Parade
will not only attract thousands of people from across America but all
around the world. This parade will offer an entertaining,
informative, and interactive experience by providing a mirror
for Africans living abroad, a bridge for
African-Americans, Caribbean and Americans to cross over and for an
authentic experience of Africa , and a window into
Africa for audience members around the world to glance in and look
into our vast and rich cultures.
Brief History
The African Day Parade was founded in
2005 after a group of young African Professionals decided to explore the
feasibility of creating a parade dedicated to celebrating, promoting and
advancing the work of Artists of African descent.
As the parade establishes itself as one
of the most needed parade presenting Art and Culture of the African and
African Diaspora, it will leave audiences with years of education and
exposure. It fosters opportunities for establishing ties with its
various local, national, and international partners.
While keeping in mind
that none of this will be done without volunteer leadership and
commitment. The African Parade will attract volunteers from every sector
ranging from government to corporate. University Professors, art
collectors, and young entrepreneurs are dedicated to ensuring that the
parade remains financially stable and artistically relevant and
connected.
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