August 21, 2023
Verenice Mackey
Photos: qphotonyc
Sunday was the grand finale of another memorable Harlem Week and West 135th Street was filled with people celebrating this legendary community. Tina Turner and Harry Belafonte were honored this year for their artistic and cultural contributions.
Smiling down on Harlem Week.
A number of State and Local elected officials took to the stage to present honors to Belafonte’s widow, Pamela Frank. There were Proclamations and Resolutions from the Mayor, the Governor, and the Public Advocate. Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado said Belafonte was a big success in the 60s, even topping Elvis and Sinatra on the charts, and he was very well off. But instead of taking it easy, he stepped up to help lead the Civil Rights movement.
Belafonte led the way.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams credited Belafonte with the growing number of Black Americans holding elected office. But, he cautioned, “let’s not confuse Black persons with Black people.” Having many Black office holders is a good thing but most of the 200,000 homeless people are also Black and that’s not good.
Civil rights icon Reverend Herbert Daughtry.
State Senator Cordell Cleare said Harry Belafonte showed people the way and she honored him with a Senate Resolution. Yusef Salaam, one of the Central Park Five and current City Council candidate, joined Cleare on stage.
Lord Nelson at Harlem Week.
Calypso legend Lord Nelson of Trinidad and Tobago made an appearance at Harlem Week, as did Funkmaster Flex, and Fabolous. Trinity Colvin belted a firey rendition of Tina Turner‘s cover of CCR‘s Proud Mary that had the audience up on their feet.
Fabolous.
Trinity Colvin channeled Tina Turner.
All across West 135th Street the people were packed so tightly that walking just one block, from 8th Avenue to Saint Nick, took a while. Pop up tents and stands offered things to eat or things to wear, like clothes and jewelry.
Here are some more photos from this year’s Harlem Week.
Ice cold drinks.