Harlem – As part of the 49th annual Harlem Week, on Sunday, the family of the late artist and civil rights advocate Harry Belafonte was presented with the key to the city. The key was presented to Pamela Belafonte, Harry Belafonte’s widow.
The late Emmy-award winning singer was hailed as a a pioneer in music and a trailblazer in Black empowerment. He was recognized as being the embodiment of the Harlem’s musical significance and activism.
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Elected officials celebrated his life in front of thousands on stage at West 135th Street and Frederick Douglas Boulevard and declared August 20 as Harry Belafonte Day.
Ingrid Lewis-Martin said, Chief Advisor to Mayor Adams said, “Harry used his powerful voice to advocate for racial equality and advanced a variety of civic and humanitarian causes. He was a close friend of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and played an important role in the 1963 March on Washington. His remarkable life and legacy continue to inspire all of us.”
HARLEM WEEK is an annual celebration of the best of Harlem which works to promote its rich African-American, African, Caribbean, Hispanic, and European history, as well as arts, culture, religion, business, entertainment, and sports. HARLEM WEEK began in 1974 as HARLEM DAY, a one-day event of encouragement and fellowship in Harlem for New Yorkers and beyond. Given the huge success of the celebration, additional days were added to showcase the community’s rich economic, political, and cultural history. During our 49 years of producing HARLEM WEEK, the event has grown from a one-day event to a month-long festival and now, as a 10-day live and virtual event.
