History of the African American Statewide Parade & Heritage Festival

On March 6, 1966, the first “Crispus Attucks Day Parade,” (named in recognition and honor of the historic African American who was the first to die at the Boston Massacre in 1770), was held in the City of Newark, New Jersey.  According to Parade founder, John Thomas, the idea of the first parade evolved while he was teaching history at Central High School. Students were discussing how various ethnic groups in the United Stated celebrated their heritage.  After reviewing St. Patrick’s Day (Irish Americans), Columbus Day (Italian Americans), Pulaski Day (Polish Americans), and Dekalb Day (German Americans), one of Mr. Thomas’s students remarked, “Mr. T., we don’t have a day!

For over 50 years, the African American Heritage Statewide Parade has galvanized thousands of participants, marchers, students and spectators to line Broad Street, Newark, New Jersey to celebrate and to make certain that the glorious heritage and contributions of Africans and African American people are not forgotten. The name of the Parade has been changed several times; in 1970, it became “The Attucks-King Parade,” to honor Rev. Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. In 1979, it became “The Black Heritage Day Parade,” with varying themes focused on remaining cognizant of the many evolutionary social concerns of the day, but also committed to preserving the traditions of past parades.

Since 1993, through today, this magnanimous cultural extravaganza has been presented as “The African American Heritage Statewide Parade,” it has grown into an annual four day observance with hundreds of thousands attendees, and participants from throughout the State of New Jersey, the United States of America, Africa and other countries around the world.  The name and leadership of the Parade may have changed through the years, but our mandate remains the same, to establish and maintain a sense of pride and awareness in African American heritage and sense of unity and mutual cooperation among all people of the African Diaspora.

Today, the Parade & Cultural Heritage Festival are under the leadership of  The African American Heritage Day Parade Organization Inc. (AAHPO), a 501(C) (3) non profit organization incorporated in the State of New Jersey. The sole purpose of the AAHPO is to honor, celebrate, educate, and showcase our heritage, culture, talent, children, and leaders and to honor freedom. The Parade has been through the storm, through the rain, through good times and bad times, yet, the vision has persevered! In 2017, following a two year hiatus, the African American Heritage Statewide Parade was reborn in the great City of Newark.

We host what is certifiably New Jersey’s largest, and most celebrated Black Cultural event each as  our Parade and a Family Heritage Festival in Weequahic Park attract an intergenerational, multi cultural, audience from throughout the tri sate  area and around the nation.

Each year, the Parade and a Family Heritage Festival serve as the unofficial opening event of the summer season. 

On Sunday, there are pre-parade activities in front of the reviewing stand in front of Newark City Hall. The festivities begin with the special signature attraction of skydivers parachuting directly in front of the reviewing stand on Broad Street, immediately followed by the  first of over one hundred contingents, stepping off to begin the parade.

Each year, the Parade features marching bands, professional and community based membership organizations, schools, labor unions, federal, state, and local elected officials, floats,  step groups, horsemen, exotic animals, fraternal organizations, religious groups, community groups and law enforcement agencies, military units and marching contingents from across the state and nation.

Throughout our history, many notable luminaries such as Jackie Robinson, Amiri Baraka, Rev. Jessie Jackson, Hal Jackson, Gail Fisher, Connie Woodruff, Andre Tippett, the Honorable Wallace D. Muhammad, and Dr. Lenworth Gunther have appeared in the Parade. Following the Parade, the Festival at Weequahic Park resumes and features a Gospel Explosion on the main stage. The Cultural Heritage Festival concludes on Monday with a salute to the cultures of the African Diaspora.

For years we have had the pleasure and privilege of working closely with many valued partners and sponsors. The generosity of our many corporate sponsors, the City of Newark, and the County of Essex, has enabled the AAHPO to produce a high caliber Parade, and Cultural Heritage Festival, together with other events and activities. The AHPO is involved with programs and seminars aimed at educating African Americans about crucial national economic, political and social issues affecting our community. In addition to our stewardship of the Parade and Cultural Festival, we have hosted a plethora of cultural programs and seminars to educate, and celebrate, our heritage. In February, Senator Robert Menendez honored the AAHPO’s contributions and dedication to community uplift and education at his Black History Month Program, “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants.”

During the past 24 years, we have grown to represent more than just a Parade. The activities and events sponsored by this leadership organization are commendable. Our volunteers work very hard and many long hours without pay and nary a word of thanks. It is the sacrifices, and commitment of the individuals associated with our programs to serve our community that have sustained the parade and AAHPO. Thanks to the grace of God, the dedication, enthusiasm, hard work and indomitable spirit of our members and many volunteers, that the AAHPO has grown, and become successful in helping to demonstrate and foster a sense of pride, unity and cooperation in our community.

The AAHPO continues “Building a Tradition” which is rooted in the ancestry of our forefathers. Our goal is to bring culturally enriched events to our community that will benefit, educate, as well as entertain, everyone. The Statewide Parade & Festival give people everywhere the opportunity to enjoy festive events that will delight the entire family.

“The Peoples Parade and Festival,” receive support from many entities, and sponsors, and we are grateful for all of their contributions. We invite you and your family and friends to help us to sustain this cultural icon by sponsoring our programs, marching, volunteering in the Parade or vending in the park.

This and every Memorial Day Weekend and throughout the year the AAHPO will host The African American Heritage Statewide Parade & a Family Heritage Festival and other programs and events for the uplift of out community. Come join us!

Don’t Let the Parade Pass you By!