Public Employee Press

Harlem’s 38th annual African American Day parade
Dignity & Pride

As a Grand Marshal of the 38th annual African American Day Parade, DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts led the way up Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard Sept. 16 at what has become the largest Black parade in America. “Dignity and Pride, This Is Your Day” was the theme for 2007, and DC 37 showed union pride with a colorful presentation of floats and bright local T-shirts.

Veronica Montgomery-Costa, president of DC 37 and of Local 372, Maf Misbah Uddin, DC 37 treasurer and president of Local 1407, local leaders, staff and members celebrated Black culture at this year’s parade. Marching from 111th Street to 145th Street, they joined an energetic spectacle of marching bands, drummers, steppers, dance troupes, fraternities, sororities, and labor and community groups from across the country.

Clad in DC 37 Sankofa T-shirts and with DJ Debonair to keep the party jumping, the union’s Black History Committee and Field Services Director Barbara Ingram-Edmonds coordinated this year’s participation, which included giveaways and lunch for members and their families. At a pre-parade breakfast, Roberts met with Lt. Gov. David Paterson, City Council members, state legislators and community leaders.

The annual African American Day Parade was founded in 1968; the first parade took place in Harlem the following year to promote unity, dignity, volunteerism and pride.

“This has been one of our biggest turnouts to date,” said Kevin Smith, Black History Committee chair and Local 1655 president. “We got a tremendous amount of support from DC 37, local leaders and staff, committee members and the Retirees Association. Best of all, lots of first-timers came out to celebrate with us.” Smith added, “All of Harlem knows DC 37, and we were well-received by the crowds. If they didn’t know us before, they know us now.”

— Diane S. Williams