HARLEM WEEK 50TH Anniversary Kicks Off with Rousing Event at Schomburg by Keith Forrest

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HARLEM WEEK kicked off its 50th Anniversary celebration with a festive gala at The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Presented by The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, Amazon Access, and Nederlander, the festive evening was hosted by renowned radio personalities Debi B. Jackson and G Keith Alexander. 
Members of HARLEM WEEK’s Board of Directors Voza Rivers, Marko Nobles, and Winston Majette opened the evening’s program with a warm reflective greeting. “Who would have thought 50 years ago that we would be having this celebration of a one-day event started in 1974,” shared Rivers, a founding member of HARLEM WEEK. “We endured, we prospered, and we kept adding to Harlem’s reputation as a cultural capital of Black America.”  
Using the theme, “Celebrate the Journey,” HARLEM WEEK’s 50th Anniversary gala saluted the first of its four historic honorees, U.S. Congressman Charles B. Rangel. Known as the Dean of New York’s congressional delegation, Harlem’s Honorable Charles B. Rangel was the first African American to chair the U.S. Congress influential House Ways and Means Committee. “I want to thank all of you for being a part of me being able to say that for the 46 years I served in the U.S. Congress,” shared Rangel. “Because of your support and love, I never had one bad day.” 
HARLEM WEEK 50th Anniversary also honored Harlem’s Renaissance artist, Dr. Ademola Olugebefola, founding member of the Weusi Artist Collective. Renowned as one of the most respected and innovative catalysts of the Black Arts Movement in America, Dr. Olugebefola’s distinguished body of work has been featured in numerous museums, international exhibitions, and private collections.  
In celebration of Black Music Month, HARLEM WEEK 50TH Anniversary saluted the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, Jazzmobile, in celebration of its 60th Anniversary this year, and Harlem school district music educators Elizabeth Cooper, Tilden Marbit, and Jesse Means. The evening also included a lively performance by multi-talented composer and instrumentalist Nat Adderley Jr. and an electrifying post-reception performance by Keith “The Captain” Gamble.
Harlem Jazz & Music Festival Executive Music Director Ray Chew was also in attendance. In addition to presenting, the award-winning musical director of ABC’s Dancing With The Stars unveiled HARLEM WEEK’s 50th Anniversary theme song, “Jam.” The up-tempo party anthem, featuring Stephanie Mills, MC Lyte, Doug E. Fresh, and Kid Capri, truly captures the vibe and uplifting feeling of being uptown with people from around the world Jamming, partying, and taking in Harlem’s cultural mystique. 
Citi, Columbia University, LISC, and West Harlem Development Corporation were event sponsors. Co-sponsors included West Harlem Innovation Network, The Trebek Family Foundation, Manna’s, and Rethink Food.
HARLEM WEEK 50th Anniversary events can be enjoyed in person at locations throughout Harlem and will stream online via www.HARLEMWEEK.com. The website is also hosting “HARLEM WEEK 50th Flashback Flicks” featuring past performances, fashion shows, and other highlights. For more information about HARLEM WEEK and its 50th-anniversary celebration, visit harlemweek.com.