Who was on the Float?

One group that was marching called the Harlem Youth Marines, an nonprofit organization that teaches the youth within New York City marine and army mentality. Richard Echevarria, HarlemLive staff member, is also a member of this squad. This program is open to everyone and has meetings every Friday from 6:00PM-9:00PM.

Rice High School was another group that participated in the parade. Dressed in their uniforms, students from 9th to 11th grades strutted through the parade while the seniors danced.

Another group called Teens in Motions participated in the parade as well. They are located in the Bronx, and they specialize in stepping and dancing.

Not every group marching in the parade was from New York State, as a matter of fact, one group was from Baltimore, Maryland. Their names were the Baltimore Westsiders. They have been parade participants for the past 15 years. Their costumes were white and black with red and black sequence.

Drummers with Attitude marched in the parade with the Roosevelt Fire Squad. They are a group of adults who played various types of drums and other instruments. They have been marching in the parade since 1994 and look forward to marching for years to come.

Not every float was strictly for entertainment, and an example of this is the Housing Works float. This program provides housing for the homeless with HIV and AIDs. They were advertising to make people aware of the program.

WBLS 107.5 FM radio station float came out to celebrate the parade with their radio personalities, Jeff Fox and Dahued Levy, who have been participating in the parade since it began.

Another big apple radio station float was the 98.7 Kiss FM. On the float were radio personalities, Shela D, DJ Darryl James and recording artist Dennis Taylor singing, "Enough is Enough."The Kiss FM float is a long time parade participant.

The Harlem Oldstyles, an all male steel drum band had their drums on wheels pulled by people through the streets in the parade. Along with the harmonious music they provided they also danced and sang. This is their second year participating in the parade.

The M.T.F.A., Minority Task Force on Aids, was another group that was not participating purely for entertainment. This float represented the oldest minority aids organization in Harlem. It was developed in 1982 and has been participating in the parade for four years.

Another float was the Money Talks entertainment float, which was featuring the group Show Stoppers. This label is responsible for putting out groups such as Ben Frank, Phatz, Azzi Christopher Williams, and Harris Brown. However, they plan on broadening their horizons by entering into the movie and book industries. They have been participating in the parade for roughly two years now.

Some the organizations involved: 369 Veteran Association United African Movement National Action Network (Al Sharptons organization) Brotherhood Group - House of the Lord Church Yorubas - African group from South Carolina 100 Black men NAACP NY Urban League Black Policemen, Firemen, Teachers, and Nurses Unions Masonic Eastern Stars Salute to all Black College's, all Sororities, and Fraternities. Bands from 10 different states, etc...