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The 51st annual HARLEM WEEK returns August 1-17 for more than two weeks of live and virtual experiences to celebrate the rich arts and culture, people, entertainment and history of Harlem. Centered around the theme, “Celebrate Our Magic,” this year’s curation of festivities emphasize HARLEM WEEK’s mission of providing a spiritual boost and positivity for Harlem, New York City and the “Harlems of the World.”
“Our rich history and culture is just that, magic,” said Lloyd Williams, Co-Founder & Chairman of HARLEM WEEK. “From the cultural revival that was the Harlem Renaissance to institutions like the Apollo Theater and the National Jazz Museum In Harlem, this year’s theme embodies that despite challenges we may face, our creativity and our joy is magic.”
For over 50 years, HARLEM WEEK has brought cultural programming to uplift the residents of Harlem. Organized by Hon. Percy Sutton in 1974, the week started as HARLEM DAY as a one-day event to create much needed positivity and pulling the greater Harlem community, businesses, religious, educational, arts and cultural institutions out of the most severe economic and social doldrums that New York City and the nation had faced in generations. Declared by the legendary actor, producer and HARLEM DAY co-founder Ossie Davis as the “Beginning of the Second Harlem Renaissance,” HARLEM WEEK has been instrumental for providing job opportunities while improving infrastructure, transportation, and other areas that directly benefited Harlemites and their neighbors.
This year’s HARLEM WEEK will pay tribute to neighborhood luminaries, including civil rights activist and past NAACP New York State Conference President Hazel Dukes, Congressman Charles B. Rangel, R&B and soul band Kool & The Gang, Grammy Award-winning singer and pianist Roberta Flack, singer/songwriter Angie Stone, musical genius and composer Quincy Jones, hip hop DJ and producer DJ Clark Kent, the centennial birthday of Malcolm X and the street renaming honoring the life and legacy of singer, actor and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte.
With HARLEM WEEK’s emphasis on supporting Black businesses and job creation in the neighborhood, the NYC Jobs & Careers Fair will return on Wednesday, August 13th at The City College of New York. The annual event will feature career development workshops and include more than 40 employers across various industries, including Banking & Finance, City Services, Climate, Health, Hospitality, Transportation and more.
“CCNY is proud to support and participate in HARLEM WEEK,” said Vincent Boudreau, President of City College of New York. “The job fair that we host represents a key opportunity for Harlem residents and visitors to make professional connections and for employers who come to the fair to appreciate the tremendous talent living in our community. HARLEM WEEK celebrates that talent in all its various aspects, and it’s a joy for us to be part of the celebration.”
The annual celebration will provide numerous opportunities for children, including the virtual HARLEM WEEK Hack-a-Thon and Youth Conference on Monday, August 11th, the Alex Trebek Harlem Children’s Spelling Bee on Saturday, August 16th, and the NY City Children’s Festival at Howard Bennett Playground on Saturday, August 16th and Sunday, August 17th, where children ages 5 to 12 can enjoy storytelling, performances, arts & crafts, face painting, double dutch competitions and much more.
The Black Health Matters/HARLEM WEEK Summit & Expo on Thursday, August 14th will focus on the theme “Where Health Meets Heritage” to address both physical and emotional wellness with discussions, free health screenings and prizes. During the event at The Riverside Church, leading health professionals and patient advocates will share their stories and provide strategies to power forward by taking advantage of all that science has to offer.
HARLEM WEEK and the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce would like to thank our premiere sponsors: Amazon Access, City College of New York and Chase Bank. “At Amazon, we believe our success and scale bring broad responsibility,” said Nancy Dalton, Director of Amazon Access. “Organizations like the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce understand the unique needs of their community better than anyone else. Together, we’re creating more effective pathways to affordable, nutritious food.”
Other HARLEM WEEK marquee events include:
● NY CIty Senior Citizens Day (Aug. 1) – This year, Senior Citizens Day will kick off HARLEM WEEK with a variety of live and virtual components. Onsite events at the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building, include health demonstrations, health testing, performances, the Demystifying Technology panel, the Senior Citizen Hat Fashion Show and more. Watch portions live here on the website.
● Summer Streets Celebrating HARLEM WEEK (Aug. 2, 9, 16) – Enjoy the hottest block party in the nation. A Saturday of non-stop fun on the streets of Harlem! New Yorkers and visitors are invited to come together for the things they love doing, including biking, walking, running, jumping, meditating, skipping, skating, dancing and enjoying live music.
● Climate Change Conference (Aug. 6) – Presented by Columbia Climate School & The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the third annual conference will look into the disproportionate negative impact of climate change on communities and countries of color. Local researchers, government agencies and community leaders will speak about the challenges New York City faces and share opportunities to empower communities like Harlem to lead the way into a cleaner, safer and healthier tomorrow.
● Harlem Summerstage (Aug. 7, 14, 21) – Taking place at the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building, Harlem Summerstage will feature performances from a variety of local musicians.
● Uptown Night Market (Aug. 7, 14) – The beloved food event is a must-attend for any food lover, featuring a celebration of cuisines worldwide, cultures with diverse performances and communities with various all-family activities, with a variety of food vendors. For additional information, click here.
● Percy Sutton Harlem 5K Adult Run & 4523Children’s Run (Aug. 9) – Sponsored by New York Road Runners, the Percy Sutton Harlem 5K Run attracts runners and walkers from New York, the Tri-state area, nationally and internationally. According to many runners, this event is second in popularity throughout the city only to the New York City Marathon. Children ages 2 to 18 of all abilities can participate in the Children’s Run and celebrate the vibrant history and culture of Harlem.
● Hazel Dukes Memorial Family Health Walk (Aug. 9) – The Hazel Dukes Memorial Family Health Walk promotes community health and awareness through physical activity, while celebrating a heroine of Harlem and the Harlems of the world, the late Hazel N. Dukes.
● Great Jazz on the Great Hill (Aug. 9) – Jazzmobile and the Central Park Conservancy present Great Jazz on the Great Hill, featuring performances from internationally acclaimed artists at the Great Hill in Central Park.
●A Great Day in Harlem – HARLEM WEEK’s first official outdoor event honoring HARLEM WEEK featuring a full day of live entertainment, food, and fun for the entire family. The four-part evening takes place at the historic Ulysses S. Grant National Memorial, showcases and celebrates Harlem’s iconic global cultural significance.
● Summer in the City (Aug. 16) – HARLEM WEEK’s second largest day of events, “Summer in the City” features a full day of activities, including performances from local, national and international artists, Harlem Broadway Row performances, the highly anticipated adult urban fashion show, health testing stations, hundreds of food vendors, arts & crafts, music, jewelry, hats, sculptors, games and corporate exhibitions.
● HARLEM WEEK/IMAGENATION Outdoor Film Festival (Aug. 16) – At the conclusion of Summer in the City, the Outdoor Film Festival will provide a free outdoor film screening of Wicked under the stars on the Great Lawn of St. Nicholas Park.
● HARLEM DAY (Aug 17) – The largest and final day of HARLEM WEEK, featuring three stages of entertainment, the Harlem Health Village, Harlem Broadway Row, performances from Broadway productions, local, national and international artists in various musical genres from Jazz, R&B, Hip-Hop, Gospel, Reggae, Soca, Latin and more. Plus hundreds of food vendors, arts & crafts, music, jewelry, hats, sculptors, corporate exhibitors and games.
