The African American Day Parade, Inc. (AADP), one of the largest and oldest parades of Black American culture, will virtually host the 51st Annual African American Day Parade on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at 12pm. It will be hosted live across Facebook, Youtube, our website homepage, and Scratchvision. The 51st annual parade will honor individuals and organizations that have made key contributions to the African American Community through Business as this year’s parade theme is “A Tribute to Black Business”.
Sponsors of this year’s parade include Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), WBLS, TWU Local 100, Scratchvision, the National Association of Black Accountants, and Mech Multimedia Agency. “We are excited to virtually celebrate Black culture,” exclaims AADP Chairman and Board Certified Chaplain at MSKCC, Yusuf Hasan. “For over 50 years, this parade has served as a vital platform for showcasing our heritage and history from our perspective. We feel it is extremely important to continue in this legacy as it uplifts our people.”
Details The African American Day Parade, Inc. (AADP) will host the 51st Annual African American Day Parade Virtually Sunday, September 20, 2020, at 12pm Tune in via: AADP website, Scratchvision TV), FaceBook Live, YouTube Live
Since the days of the Renaissance, Harlem has served as the epicenter of music, literature, art and fashion. As Harlem is being revitalized in the 21st century, Harlem Fashion Week (HFW) introduces a new era of fashion culture to the Harlem community, inspired by its rich cultural heritage.
Harlem Fashion Week is an explosion of culture that bridges the Downtown fashion hub to the Uptown vibe for a rich community experience. It showcases the fashion industry, provides business education for emerging designers, grows Harlem businesses, creates a cultural platform, and just exudes fun!
The inaugural HFW kick off had its opening night celebration on September 7th and culminated with Runway Shows on September 9th at the historic Museum of the City of New York on 5th avenue and Central Park. The four-day event was hosted at restaurants, businesses and cultural centers all throughout the Harlem community and attracted guests that included fashion industry professionals, members of the media, artists, entertainers, buyers and a host of VIPs.
Harlem Fashion Week’s Schedule Included:
• Opening Night Celebration at the Hamilton Landmark Galleries
• Runway Show at the Museum of the City of New York
• The Business of Fashion Symposium at The Harlem State Office Building
• After Party at a posh Harlem venue
• Fashion Awards Ceremony at Museum of the City of New York
• HFW Fashion Brunch at Cheri Harlem
• Production Open House conducted by Manufacture NY
The creators of Harlem Fashion Week are the dynamic mother-daughter team of Tandra Birkett and Yvonne Jewnell, owners of the fashion design company Yvonne Jewnell New York LLC. Yvonne Jewnell New York is an award winning women’s wear company that creates clothing that promotes women empowerment and celebrates culture from across the globe. Combined, they used their talent, skill, and education to create one of the most innovative, emerging fashion houses.
As a company, Yvonne Jewnell New York LLC is a member of Harlem Arts Alliance and Harlem Chamber of Commerce. It has participated in the Annual Harlem Week Festival, hosted a Pop-Up Shop at the Black River Studio, and produced fashion shows at the Hip Hop Cultural Center and the ImageNation Raw Space. It is only natural that they would produce Harlem Fashion Week to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Harlem.
A portion of the proceeds from HFW will go to the restoration project of La Maison des Esclaves – The House of Slaves Museum on Goree Island in Senegal.
Art 2 Activism, hosted by Nasir and Sassy of Art 2 Ink and presented by Art 2 Ink & The Shade Room, cultivated awareness of the problems plaguing our community. Art 2 Ink, a tattoo studio at it’s core, covered its walls with art from featured artists such as @TheOneWillFocus and @CocaineandCaviar. Live Performances were given by the powerful @Mal.Mero of @NYCUnity and energetic @_AlexPhoenix. Donations were collected at the door for the International Youth Leadership Institute. Throughout the evening, video clips of controversial, yet pertinent, discussions looped on the tv, including a special message from The Shade Room.
When we’re being slain in the the streets, it’s important for us to commune and heal. The energy was felt. We look forward to the next installment.
Flip through the photos for a glimpse of the magic that occurs when our people are in one space emitting positivity. Photos by NayMarie for Taji Mag and budding 11 year old artist, Sean Jaiden.
Rushing down the street battling the wind and zig-zag walkers, I sigh in relief seeing the unmistakable ‘S’ sign a few feet ahead. Stepping through the door, I get the same feeling as if I were stepping into a sanctuary. The street and the wind are way above the frequency of the hushed tones and background music inside. With the door closing behind me, I notice that I too am on a higher frequency and need to come down. There are chairs to my left, chairs and tables to my right, and low counter seating ahead, all of which are filled by people who seem to issue a silent welcome. The natural lighting, the dark brown of the wood and walls coupled with the Black and White tiles, gives this place a warm and old school charm like only Harlem can. Floating on in, there are wall to wall shelves filled with canisters of—you guessed it—Tea. I can’t help but take slow steps to read the names on each group of differently decorated and colored metal cylinders. “Tanzanian Usambara Breakfast Tea” “Nairobi Street Chai” “Masai Hibiscus Berry Fruit tea” “Tanzanian Dragon Claw Black Tea Rose Blend”. The two Men behind the counter—yes, Men—have a certain agility about their movements that you know they know exactly what they are doing. One even has on a shirt that says ‘I love my job’ and I can’t help but think ‘I love your job too’. Opening the menu handed to me I cannot believe how many teas are on each page and how many pages there actually are. As an avid, almost fanatic, tea drinker, I am beside myself with excitement; that is until I realize that I have to pick just ONE. Decisions decisions; fine, okay, I want Chai (My Defaultea—get it?). I love Chai tea; there is just something to the spice and full body of the flavor that encompasses my soul. Anyhow, even having narrowed it down to a category, I am left with multiple choices that I simply cannot handle; time to ask the experts. Waiting at the counter, I do not want to interrupt the craftsman (you have to see it for yourself), but before I can build up the nerve, he lifts his head and comes to my rescue. What can I get for you?” I wish I knew. I panic and ask him for the Spiciest Chai they have, and he asks me if I want milk. Of course! Would I like it sweet? Of Course! Is there any other way to drink Chai? With a chuckle and a retort, he is back to the far end of the counter to concoct my potion. It is now a few minutes after my arrival and having played hop-scotch with the women walking to the bathroom and Mr. “I Love My Job” carrying full pots of tea to tables across the room, I decide to take a seat. I am in the far left corner of the space, which seems to give the best view in totality. I almost feel tucked away, as if someone saved me this spot, next to the glass jars of curry powder and Cocoa for sale. The door opens a few more times, and with each entrant, their bustling is adjusted by the calm and ambiance of the Teas. The couple off to my left, seated at the ‘bar’ below the large clear vats filled with bright iced teas with lemons, is deep in conversation over their pot to share. Those sitting at the two-person tables across the room seem to have found space for privacy while still remaining a part of the over-all feel. Continuing my gaze back toward the counter in what seems to be perfect timing, my cup is ready. One of the best things about tea is often the smell, and with one full inhalation through my lid, I know I am in for a treat. First sip: Heaven. I asked for Spice and got more than I imagined. Second Sip: Heaven and a scolded tongue. I think I will wait; I did order a tea to go, right? Payment is made and Thank you’s are given, of course there is a ‘come again’. “I live in Brooklyn; you all are going to have me traveling to Harlem for tea!” And with a light laugh, I am back onto the street, in the wind and stream of people. I grasp my cup of tea holding on to my bit of peace (an unexpected gift from Serengeti) and stride toward the train station; I will definitely be back soon.
Each year, Harlem’s historic Alhambra Ballroom celebrates the start of the wedding season with a showcase of culinary delights in the opulence of their Grand Ballroom. Beneath the draped chandeliers, local wedding vendors joined in to display their specialties in bridal services for budding couples. For this years event the Alhambra welcomed a refreshing, new approach to their presentation lineup, Bridal Royalty, by showcasing ethnic bridal gowns created by TeKay Designs “Queen of the Brides” gown collection. The Queen of the Brides is a prestigious and award winning luxury brand with design and production in Houston Texas and Ghana, Africa. The Fashion Designer, Ms. Kimma Wreh is internationally recognized for her ethnic inspired, and Afrique-Chic fashion creations.
“Queen of the Brides introduces a re-imagination of the conventional wedding. When we saw photos of these dresses on the Internet we knew the Queen of the Brides gowns would be a great fit for our bridal showcase.” explains Alhambra’s CEO Tracey Dechabert. Harlem is a place of history, ethnic diversity and there exist a cultural pride about African aesthetic. Harlem’s brides need to see that there is a cultural alternative to contemporary bridal fashions. The gown, just like cuisine can set a tone to your wedding day that intuitively shares your families heritage. The fusion between cultural fashions and cultural foods can be an experience that resonates throughout generations.” Says Dechabert.
Queen of the Brides offers formal gown creations that includes quality pieces of jewelry that reference a historical time period. The collection exemplifies diverse cultures, as each gown represents a woman of royalty who has left an indelible mark on humanity. The collection includes gowns named after Queen Nefertiti, Queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt, Queen Cleopatra Selene II, Queen Ankhesenamun of Egypt, Mumtaz Mahal – Mughal Queen of India, Queen Manta Tisi of South Africa, Queen Padmini of India, Queen Amina of Zaria Nigeria, Queen Nzingha Amazon of Matamba West Africa, Empress Candace of Ethiopia, Queen Consort Margherita of Italy, etc. The menswear line is culturally inspired with aesthetic themes that ranges from historic to contemporary design.
“We are really honored to have been asked to present Queen of the Brides to the Harlem community. New York is a melting pot of ethnic cultures and that’s what makes this city an ideal place to present gowns that represent queens from varied cultures. Now, anyone can express their heritage and be a royal bride.” Explains Fashion Designer, Kimma Wreh.
The bridal showcase was interactive, entertaining and offered a variety of food dishes for sampling. The fusion between fashion, food and music stimulated every sense to create an experience that offers couples unique cultural ideas for creating their special wedding day. Dechabert states, “Harlem is also growing more culturally diverse and we wish for this bridal showcase to be all-inclusive with vibrant cultures. At the Alhambra, we take pride in delivering on request for many types of international cuisine from our ethnically diverse clients.”
www.jojobride.co.uk | @TeKayDesigns
Photos by: Macintosh Smith & Manonce Manonce
Since the days of the Renaissance, Harlem has served as the epicenter of music, literature, art and fashion. As Harlem is being revitalized in the 21st century, Harlem Fashion Week (HFW) introduces a new era of fashion culture to the Harlem community, inspired by its rich cultural heritage.
Art 2 Activism, hosted by 
