{"id":806889,"date":"2026-05-19T06:50:48","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T06:50:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/806889\/"},"modified":"2026-05-19T06:50:48","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T06:50:48","slug":"bronx-week-ends-with-culture-and-unity-parade-on-mosholu-parkway-bronx-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/806889\/","title":{"rendered":"Bronx Week ends with Culture and Unity parade on Mosholu Parkway \u2013 Bronx Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

From a roller skate party to a soap box derby, Bronxites participated in a bevy of events during Bronx Week. The 16-day celebration, which kicked off May 1, officially wrapped on Sunday with the Bronx Unity & Culture parade and festival.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Emceed by Borough President Vanessa Gibson and Bronx News 12\u2019s Marissa Santarelli, what started out as a quiet spattering of people along Mosholu Parkway quickly grew into a diverse crowd of all creeds and ages.<\/p>\n

\"\"The event culminated in a concert with hundreds dancing the day away. Photo by ET Rodriguez<\/p>\n

Before the smiles and celebrations, the day started on a somber note as members of community board 7 and fellow attendees gathered at the Bronx Victory memorial near Hull Avenue to remember recently fallen Army soldiers, Specialist Mariyah Symone Collington and First Lieutenant Kendrick Lamont Key, Jr. The two, from Florida and Virginia, respectively, went missing during a military training in Morocco on May 1.<\/p>\n

\"\"The New York Grey Cadets, located at 3010 Briggs Ave., performed in front of the Bronx Victory Memorial ahead of the parade. Photo by ET Rodriguez<\/p>\n

Their bodies were found in the ocean a little more than a week later, with conflicting reports on how the two went missing in the first place. After a moment of silence and closing remarks, the parade was underway, lead by Borough President Vanessa Gibson with the FDNY ceremonial unit and Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark following close behind.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Many organizations exemplified the cultural diversity of the Bronx, including the Bronx Bangladeshi Society of New York.Photo by ET Rodriguez<\/p>\n

Local schools and dozens of organizations, ranging from the Borough President\u2019s African Advisory Council to the Bronx Bangladeshi Society of New York Inc., truly exemplified the culture and unity of the parade as they all embraced the theme for 2026.<\/p>\n

\"\"Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson honored veterans at the Bronx Victory Memorial before the parade kicked off ahead of Memorial Day on Monday, May 25. Photo by ET Rodriguez<\/p>\n

\u201c\u200aMy theme this year, \u2018The Bronx Leads,\u2019 is really about elevation. It\u2019s about amplifying the voices of the people and the places that make the Bronx what it is today; a great place to live, to work, raise our families and do business,\u201d Gibson told the Bronx Times. \u201cAnd storytelling, the story of the Bronx, of how we have come so far, right? Devastation, poverty, burnout, fires, crime and we\u2019re a lot better. We\u2019re not perfect, but we\u2019re a lot better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Esther Dordzra of the Ghanaian group Wuza Wuza \u2014 meaning you and us together as one \u2014 embraces the sentiment of unity as she waves the American flag. Photo by ET Rodriguez<\/p>\n

Gibson added she has her sights on the Bronx having its own \u201cfull-fledged asthma center,\u201d a disease disproportionately affecting Bronxites. According to the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health<\/a>, \u201cNew York City has one of the country\u2019s highest rates of hospitalizations and deaths due to asthma among children and young adults, with African American and Latino patients accounting for more than 80% of the cases.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Little 9-year-old Ava listened attentively as she learned how to perform life-saving CPR. \u200a\u201dI learned that if somebody stops breathing, you have to call 911 and start chest compressions and have a steady 120 compressions per minute.\u201d She added that the instructor taught her the song, \u201cStayin\u2019 Alive\u201d by the BeeGees to help keep a steady rhythm. Photo by ET Rodriguez<\/p>\n

Parade-goers were encouraged to obtain life-saving information from the booths at the festival, which included the American Cancer Society. Food and music were also plentifully available as some created impromptu picnics, eating their food on the grass and under the warm 87-degree sun.<\/p>\n

\"\"The Bronx GEMS (Girls Empowered to Motivate and Succeed) gave it their all despite the smothering heat. The dance group with girls ranging from 3 to 18 years old works to help them gain confidence through dance. The nonprofit celebrated the opening of their brick-and-mortar on E. 164th Street in 2023. Photo by ET Rodriguez<\/p>\n

I think it\u2019s just a celebration of the Bronx and what we have to offer,\u201d said Stephanie Lorenzo who grew up near Mosholu Parkway and was at the festival with her young niece. <\/p>\n

\"\"Twin puppets \u2014 Civic and Engagement or the Sunnies\u2013 were created by artist Yazmany Arboleda in 2024. They graced the parade to remind people to vote for how to invest the \u201cPeople\u2019s Money,\u201d $1 million from the Civic Engagement Commission of New York that will be used to provide a much-needed services to New Yorkers with a portion dedicated to the Bronx. Plans are expected to be underway later this year. Photo by ET Rodriguez<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Bronx often times has, like, a bad reputation of not having anything. It\u2019s normally just crime and negative things. But I think it\u2019s important to acknowledge all the diversity of music, food, and safety.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Ebony Jones, born and raised in the Morrisania, was crowned Classic Miss New York 2026 by the Miss United Crown of America. \u200a\u201dMy platform is equal pay for women, women in entrepreneurship, youth and community development and just empowering the next leaders of the world,\u201d she said. Photo by ET Rodriguez
\n\"\"Tacos Don Goyo were a hit among parade-goers, selling a variety of Tijuana-style tacos and quesadillas, with their tacos al pastor being their most popular. Photo by ET Rodriguez<\/p>\n

Reach ET Rodriguez at\u00a0etrodriguez317@gmail.com<\/a>. For more coverage, subscribe to our\u00a0newsletter<\/a>\u00a0and follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>!\u00a0<\/p>\n