Free Weekend Community Celebration Featuring Remarks by NYC Civic Leaders, Walking Tour, Food, and Entertainment
The Africa Center will celebrate Africa Day with a free weekend community celebration on Saturday, May 27, 2023 from 12pm – 6pm EST on The Center’s plaza at the intersection of Harlem and Museum Mile. The outdoor event will include a ribbon cutting ceremony for The Center’s new 45-foot, three-story tribute to the African continent that includes a flag for each African country recognized by the African Union and the Pan-African flag. Mayor Eric Adams and other local civic leaders are scheduled to provide remarks. The tribute has already garnered attention from Harlem visitors taking selfies with their favorite flag on display.
The celebration will kick off at 11:30am EST with the first Africa in Harlem Walking Tour led by Professor Boukary Sawadogo. The local expedition will highlight the history and contributions of African immigrants in Harlem and New York City. At 1pm EST, invited speakers will participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by a series of community activities including live art workshops, entertainment, music by DJ Birane, and food provided by community vendors.
The Africa Center’s Africa Day Weekend Celebration is free and open to the public. Participants are encouraged to bring a flag or wear colors representing their home country on the African continent. Registration is encouraged but not required. More information and information on how to register is available at theafricacenter.org.
“Africans have long been present in the Harlem and greater-New York communities, and people of African descent have shaped Harlem into the international cultural gem it is known to be today,” said Uzodinma Iweala, CEO of The Africa Center. “Africa Day is a celebration of both the diversity of African countries and cultures, as well as our continued efforts to encourage greater unity amongst African people and the African Diaspora. We hope people will see their flag and be proud of who they are, where they come from, and what African people have contributed as a community no matter where we might find ourselves in the world, but particularly here in New York City.”
Details for The Africa Day Community Celebration are as follows:
Date: Saturday, May 27, 2023
Time: 11:30am EST – 6pm EST
Africa in Harlem Walking Tour Begins at 11:30am EST
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Remarks begin at 1pm EST
Location: The Africa Center Plaza, 1280 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10029
Schedule of Events (subject to change):
- 12:00PM: Event Opens
- 1:00PM: Welcome and Opening Remarks
- Invited Speakers
- Uzodinma Iweala, CEO, The Africa Center
- H.E. Fatima K. Mohammed, Permanent Observer of the AU to the UN
- Mayor Eric Adams, Mayor of New York City
- Deputy Borough President Keisha Sutton-James, Manhattan Deputy Borough President
- Kristin Richardson Jordan , New York City Council, Harlem District 9
- Christelle N. Onwu, Lead Advisor for African Communities, Diversity and Inclusion Officer, New York City Commission on Human Rights
- Salim Drammeh, President, The Gambian Youth
- 1:45PM Kaisokah Moko Jumbies Stilt Walking Performance
- 2.00PM DJ Birane Set
- 6:00PM Event Closes
Media Instructions: Please proceed to The Africa Center entrance on 5th Avenue to check in. To confirm media coverage or to request images or additional information, email press@theafricacenter.org.
Press Images: Download Here
Installation Design Credit: Laura Alston, ElevenThirtySix Strategies
Photo Credit: Emmanuel Agbeble for The Africa Center