The music was pumping from around 11 a.m. and could be heard a few blocks away, seemingly nudging and calling residents to come out, join in, applaud their neighbors and soak up the atmosphere for the Bronx Week 2022 Finale parade, which had a fitting, in-person return, under glorious sunshine, on Mosholu Parkway in Bedford Park, on Sunday, May 15.

 

A tradition for more than 40 years, Bronx Week is an annual celebration of the culture, beauty, and institutions of the borough.

A lively and excited gathering of schools, bands, cultural institutions, musicians, elected officials, dancers, first responders, youth and community groups, among others, were represented on the day, with everyone apparently delighted to be gathered together again in celebration of the boogie down borough.

 

Pony rides and other kids’ activities, along with food stands, health providers, community groups and vendors lined the parkway from around noon to 6 p.m, with the festival later culminating with a celebratory concert, highlighting local talent.

 

During her remarks at the launch of Bronx Week 2022, as reported, held at the YMCA in Edenwald on May 2, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, who presided over the finale parade on May 15 from the viewing stand on the parkway, said the festival was important to celebrate the best of the borough, referencing in particular, “our veterans, our seniors, our entrepreneurs, our educators, our first responders, essential workers, frontline staff, volunteers, all of our professionals, elected officials, so many that have helped to make the borough a great place to live, work and raise your family as we move The Bronx forward.”

 

Many of those mentioned were later applauded in person during the parade, including but not limited to, cure violence groups like Guns Down, Life Up, S.O.S. (Save our Streets), Friends of Mosholu Parkland, Bronx Community Board 7, the NYPD, the James Baldwin Outdoor Learning Center, music and dance groups, the FDNY, various local elected officials, religious, military, veteran, environmental and community groups, schools, museums, and institutions.

 

Giavanni Farley, a teacher at Soundview Academy, who marched and danced in the parade with the Explosion Dance Team spoke to Norwood News on the day.

 

Asked for her reaction to the atmosphere on the day, she said, “It was very exciting. This is our first parade of four. It’s a really great start – so nice to be out here again, after being so closed off during the pandemic.”

 

Asked about the benefits of dance to kids, Farley said, “It’s a lot of work! It gives them an amazing work ethic – healthy living, but as well, beautiful relationships with each other. They’re creating friendships that they would normally not get in a school year. As well, you see the difference in their grades. Because they work so hard on the dancing, they don’t want to mess it up…that they work hard everywhere.”

 

She added that the school’s success and graduation rates were high, with many moving on to work on Broadway shows and enter top art schools.

 

Among others, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81), Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernández (A.D. 80), both of whom are running for re-election this year, and District 11 City Councilman Eric Dinowitz were seen on the day, marching, interacting with and waving to the crowd.

 

Norwood News also spoke to representatives from the Bronx Children’s Museum. John Boudreau is the director of marketing communications and said, “The museum is opening up at the end of this year after a long time getting prepared. The inside of our building is all set. We’re moving in exhibits this summer, and then, we’ll be opening up the museum again by the end of the year.”

 

Boudreau added that there will be a concert held at Millpond Park on June 4, and it’s located right next to the museum on the Harlem River. “It’s called “Music Matters,” and it’s celebrating the diversity and the culture of The Bronx, and it’s featuring Rotunda,” Boudreau said.

 

“The museum, itself, is just going to be an exciting place for kids to come, and explore The Bronx, and get to know about The Bronx, so that they can go back up to The Bronx and discover what they know, and then come back to the museum, so it can be a very exciting place for them.”

Asked if admission was free, Boudreau said, “Admission will be $8 for everyone, but we’re going to have a lot of discounted programs and programs that will help people get in.”

 

Luisa Escalera, also works at the museum and said she is a native of the area, said, “So, this is, like, the first time The Bronx has had its own children’s museum, so we’re trying to make sure that it’s open to everyone and close to everyone.”

 

Norwood News mentioned that it seemed like the museum seemed to have been already semi-open in some respects, and Escalera explained that the official opening will be happening soon but that it had indeed been operating out of a bus for several months.

 

“It’s been doing outside of school programming with a lot of neighborhood schools,” she said. “And now, it’s finally getting its physical space. So, it’ll be opening up soon, and we’re hoping everyone will come.”

Osman Kamara from Fordham was sitting with his family on a bench on Mosholu Parkway South, enjoying the weather, with his son who was sporting a temporary tattoo he’d gotten at one of the booths.

 

“We saw the parade, but I don’t have much knowledge about it…” said Kamara. “I heard Remy Ma is going to perform later, yeah. That is what I heard. We visited some of the booths and then came over here to enjoy the music.”

 

Meanwhile, Mike Starz from Bedford Park, who had recently moved from Pelham Parkway to Mosholu Parkway, said, “We had just found out about that it’s an annual thing and they should keep it up.” He added, “It’s awesome. I haven’t been over there yet, but we’re enjoying the music, yeah. I’m ready to salsa.”

 

Romar Ware is from Mott Haven and said he was enjoying the music. “I feel like I’m Spanish right now. Of course, I will stick around to see Remy Ma, of course! That’s The Bronx! I saw yesterday they named a street after her, and I was very happy for her because she grew up in The Bronx and The Bronx is coming up!”

 

Since 1997, the Bronx Walk of Fame has served as the premier honor in the boogie down borough and can be bestowed upon any Bronx native deemed worthy of the honor. Past luminaries include Prince Royce, Chazz Palmintieri, Fat Joe, and Swizz Beats. This year’s honorees were actor, Luis Antonio Ramos, entertainer, poet, artist and writer, Remy Ma, and cinematographer, producer and artist, Eif Rivera, as reported.

 

One of the highlights of Bronx Week is, of course, the annual, black-tie, Bronx Gala ball, which was held this year, as reported, at The  Peninsula in the South Bronx on Saturday, May 14, and was described by Gibson as “incredible.” For the first time, the gala ball was organized by Bronx-based, event management company, E218 Events Management, and it was another occasion to formally honor the Bronx Walk of Fame inductees.

 

Impromptu dance and musical performances also took place on the day of the parade, entertaining the crowds in the vinicity of the parade route, and were greeted enthusiastically by residents, while health professionals from various hospitals and health care groups were also present on the day, handing out information and providing relevant testing and other services to community members.

 

Some brief snippets of some of the dance performances can be watched by clicking on Dance 1 and Dance 2.

Throughout the day, large crowds gathered along the parkway and were seen mingling through the many booths and vendors who were selling their wares, including T-shirts, jewelry and clothes, before most people headed down to the concert stage area for the final segment of the festival.

 

Some of the other events which took place as part of the 10-day festival included the distribution of tablets in partnership with the Bronx Community Foundation and Tech FIN (Technology For Families In Need) to address the digital divide.

 

“We understand the importance of having access to up-to-date technology,” Gibson said of the event. “It gives us access to the world and people around us. We want to make sure that as we move forward with our technology, we are not leaving anyone behind.”

 

Bronx Week was jump started by honoring the borough’s seniors at the Golden Corral, located at 2375 East Tremont Avenue in Parkchester, where, the borough president said, attendees sang, danced and gave praise. “We are all the product of those that came before us, and it is only right that we celebrate them!” she said of the event, as she thanked the sponsors, Humana and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, and the Golden Corral staff for hosting.

 

National Small Business Week was also celebrated as part of Bronx Week 2022, with a 5-borough, 5-day tour which culminated in the Little Yemen section of the borough, in conjunction with the City’s Small Business Services. “We honored and celebrated our immigrant, small business owners in Little Yemen,” said Gibson, who along with other elected officials joined in an impromptu dance routine on the day. Click here and here to watch.

 

“They are vital to our community and our city. We honored community trailblazers, Bronx Muslim Center, Yemeni-American Merchants Association, Alliance of Yemeni American Businesses, Morris Park BID, and The New Bronx Chamber of Commerce. Thank you for all that you do and for serving our community!” she added.

 

A Veteran’s Appreciation Breakfast was also held as part of the festival. “So much of who we are, and so much of what have in this country we owe to those who have put their lives on the line for our civil liberties,” said Gibson of the event.

 

“We had the honor of recognizing our incredible veterans. In honor of their sacrifice and their service, we honored Detective Roberto Oviedo (U.S. Marine Corps), Rene Cabrera Gonzalez (U.S. Marine Corps), Abigail Taylor (U.S. Army), Lauren Patterson (U.S. Army), and David Carman (U.S. Navy). To all of of our veterans, you have our eternal gratitude for all that you have done to keep us safe,” she added.

 

The borough’s business owners were also honored at the Bronx Week Business Luncheon. “Our business owners sustain our city and are the lifeblood of our economy,” the borough president said. “When things got rough in 2020, our business owners persisted and turned their pain into purpose.” She added that last year, The Bronx saw $3.2 billion in total development, the highest amount ever invested in The Bronx.

 

“Thank you for your investment in our community and your commitment to growth in The Bronx,” she continued. “At our luncheon, we recognized ten Bronx businesses that thrived in our Borough through challenging times, Agape Transportation Management, Boulevard Menswear, Bronx restaurateur, Jimmy Rodriguez, Conti’s Pastry Shoppe, E.A.T. w/ Culinary Professionals Inc., Infinity Fitness, Super Fresh Supermarket, The Hoodspitality Group, The Lit. Bar, and York Studios.”

Also honored during Bronx Week 2022 were those who Gibson described as incredible labor workers and unions for their effort and dedication to the City. “Our labor workers are the essential workers who kept our City moving during the onset of the pandemic and they continue to do so,” Gibson said.

 

“We are eternally grateful for all you have done for us. As a token of our appreciation, we honored Aly Y. Waddy, UFCW, Local 1500, Barrie Smith, Local 79, Christian Smalls, president, Amazon Union, Derrick Palmer, vice president, Amazon Union, Henry Garrido, executive director, DC37, and Shaun D. Francois I, president Local 372,” she added.

Not forgotten were the borough’s various community board members who were described by the borough president as being vital to the growth and advancement of the Bronx community. ‘We honored the three longest-serving Community Board members in each board who, over the years, have demonstrated an immense commitment to their neighborhood and city,” she said.

 

“We also honored three Board members who are college-bound this fall, from Community Board 2, Johnathan Martir – Williams College, from Community Board 3, Sarah Torres – Syracuse University and from Community Board 12, Hannah Gadpaille – Penn. State,” she added.

 

The annual Bankers Breakfast was also held as part of Bronx Week 2022 festivities. “Public-private partnerships are essential in bringing grants, loans, financial literacy and other economic opportunities to our small business communities,” Gibson said.

 

“Together, we can move the Bronx forward. Thank you BICNY [Business Initiative Corporation NY], BOEDC [Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation], and all of our incredible sponsors for your incredible work and partnership.”

 

A Parent Leadership Event was another event held to honor parents, teachers, superintendents and school safety agents. The borough president thanked those Bronx parent leaders who she said dedicate and volunteer their time throughout the year to support parents and families. “Our youth are better for their efforts and we are so grateful for their dedication,” she said.

 

“Thank you to our school safety agents who work tirelessly year-round to ensure the safety of our youth and faculty in and outside of school buildings, and guess what? 90% of school safety agent officers are women,” she added.

 

A Silent Disco was held at Woodlawn Cemetery as part of the festival’s line up, with Gibson thanking everyone who joined for a night of dancing.

 

During her speech closing out the festival, Gibson highlighted the many women of color who were leading the charge during the event, including the concert performers. Encouraging attendees to make the most of the last of the festivities, and joined on stage later by Deputy Bronx Borough President Janet Peguero, the borough president said, “We have a festival, we have health screenings, we have COVID testing, we got everything!”

 

She continued, “And of course, I want to recognize my partner at Borough Hall [Peguero]. We’re the only borough in New York City run by two women of color, and that is not by design but on purpose, y’all. We’re going to do amazing things. These past ten days of Bronx Week have been amazing. We were on a hiatus for two years, but 2022, we’re back and we’ve honored so many incredible leaders.”

 

Gibson concluded, “But this has truly been an honor, and I want to say thank you, as your Bronx borough president, it gives me great honor and privilege to serve for such a time as this, and my deputy and I are working on your behalf every single day. We wake up on purpose, with a purpose, and we cannot do this work without you. So a salute to you all in The Bronx, Happy Bronx Week 2022!”

 

 

She said that since taking office in January, her staff, alongside the Bronx Tourism Council and the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, had worked tirelessly to bring Bronx Week back after the two-year hiatus. “I want to take this moment to acknowledge the tremendous effort and labor of love from my team,” she said.

 

“It takes a village, and I could not have done this without their dedication and hard work.” She also thanked the event’s sponsors who she said continue to invest in the Bronx and see the Borough for what it truly is: “a vibrant, booming community on the verge of a renaissance.”

Gibson also took time out to reflect and address the tragic mass shooting that occurred in Buffalo on Saturday, May 14, the same day as the Bronx Gala ball.

 

“Although we are still celebrating a huge win for the borough today, I would also like to express my condolences to our neighbors in Buffalo,” she said on Monday, May 16.

 

“Please take a moment to join me in prayer and solidarity for the ten victims of the Buffalo shooting that took place on Saturday, May 14th,” Gibson continued.

 

“We mourn with the families whose lives have been forever changed and marked by this horrific event. The victims and their families did not deserve this. Our federal government needs to implement the measures and regulations necessary to end racially motivated gun violence in our country. This is unacceptable and cannot continue to happen. As Americans, we deserve and demand better.”

 

The borough president later went on to say that in response to the latest New York City health commissioner’s statement on the rise in COVID-19 cases in the city, she urged residents to take care of themselves: to get tested, get vaccinated, and get boosted.

More information on COVID-19 resources for New York City residents can be found on the NYC Covid-19 City-wide Information Portal.

 

Bronx Children’s Museum Ceremony Highlights Video courtesy of Bronx Children’s Museum via YouTube

In conclusion, Gibson said, “What an honor it has been to see months of planning come to life. Bronx Week 2022 was for our community. We believe our borough deserves the very best that our city has to offer. We will continue to work to ensure that Bronxites have access to resources they need and deserve.”

The Deputy Borough President and I are grateful to have hosted our first #BronxWeek2022, a 10-day Celebration of the Bronx! X’s up! 😀 This Annual Week recognizes the important cultures, diversity, food, music, heritage and institutions that make up the fabric of our Borough. pic.twitter.com/xOZO9YvFjw

— Hon. Vanessa L. Gibson, MPA (She, Her, Hers) (@Vanessalgibson) May 22, 2022

Wrapping up, she said Bronxites would continued to write their own narrative, adding, “We will tell our story the way we lived it: in community, in fellowship and with joy. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to every single person who joined us along the way. We are better together. See you all next year! This is just the beginning.”