cultural preservation.
cultural preservation.
Moving culture forward begins with acknowledging and preserving the legacies that came before. Preserving our cultural heritage, traditions, identities, and communities is more important now than ever. Cultural preservation fosters a sense of identity, social inclusion, and well-being, while enhancing economic development through tourism and access to the arts. It plays a crucial role in education and intergenerational knowledge transfer, ensuring that cultural heritage and traditions are preserved for future generations.
“With cultural preservation at the heart of our creative strategy, we’re leveraging digital media and the arts to bridge past legacies with a new generation of emerging Black/Caribbean storytellers, multi-media artists, producers, and cultural strategists. These creatives will redefine our cultural landscape through transformative storytelling and immersive experiences with a social impact focus.”
— ANo Okera, CREATIVE Director
COMMUNITY
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SOCIAL IMPACT
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CULTURAL EVENTS
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MUSIC
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LIVE
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SCREEN
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TALK
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COMMUNITY • SOCIAL IMPACT • CULTURAL EVENTS • MUSIC • LIVE • SCREEN • TALK •
OUR
ARTIST
PROGRAMS
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A sonic musical experience and our first hybrid virtual/live series, featuring the world's top DJs in monthly watch/listen parties celebrating "55 Years of Soul."
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An online exhibition and media-arts platform spotlighting images, work, and cultural legacies of under-represented voices while showcasing the talent and impact of emerging visionaries.
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A hybrid virtual/live story and mixed-media development program, Bri (Bridge) + Ink (words come to life) bring forgotten stories to life through collaboration, community, and partnerships.
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Inspired by Amiri Baraka and the Black Arts Movements, HCFF is empowering diverse voices and cultivating a global community of collaboration with theatres committed to showcasing Black voices.
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Through a curated series of screenings, moderated discussions, workshops and exhibitions, HCFF Cultural Conversations will provide a forum for interactive exploration of the cultural contributions, innovations and preservation of communities representing the Black Diaspora.
HARLEM CULTURAL FESTIVAL FOUNDATION
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APOLLO THEATER
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HARLEM CULTURAL FESTIVAL FOUNDATION • APOLLO THEATER •
CULTURAL CONVERSATIONS
“CLAUDINE”
Harlem Cultural Festival Foundation partnered with the Apollo to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the classic film Claudine. Hosted at The Apollo Stages at The Victoria on Friday, January 17th, a talkback moderated by journalist Wilson Morales followed the screening and featured cast members Lawrence Hiton-Jacobs and Yvette Curtis. Starring the legendary Diahann Carroll & James Earl Jones, this iconic film and soul-stirring soundtrack by Curtis Mayfield and Gladys Knight & The Pips, celebrated Black love, resilience, and community.
CELEBRATING 55 YEARS OF SOUL
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LEGACY TRIBUTE DINNER
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CELEBRATING 55 YEARS OF SOUL • LEGACY TRIBUTE DINNER •
HCFF LEGACY TRIBUTE DINNER
Harlem Cultural Festival Foundation “Celebrated 55 Years of Soul’ on October 18, 2024 with a Legacy Tribute Dinner presented by Harlem Community Development Corporation & PB Brasserie.
Hosted by Doug E. Fresh at the Harlem School of the Arts, the event featured a Calypso cocktail reception sponsored by Uncle Nearest, Ting Beverages and Boscal Mezcal in honor of Harlem Cultural Festival 1969 Founder and St. Kitts & Nevis native Tony Lawrence. Dinner was presented by PB Brasserie with DJ Music provided by DJ Marc Smooth.
A live musical tribute to Harlem Cultural Festival 1969 music legends closed out the evening curated by Musical Director Rakiem Walker, The Rakiem Walker Project and featuring performances by:
Wé Ani, Singer, American Idol 2023 Top 5 Finalist - “If I Was Your Woman” by Gladys Knight & The Pips
Elijah Ahmad Lewis, Entertainer/Artist - “ My Girl” by David Ruffin & The Temptations
Glorya Ry’ann, Singer/Song Writer - “I Was Made to Love Her” by Stevie Wonder
Monifah Carter, Grammy Nominated Artist - “I Put A Spell On You” by Nina Simone
Christopher Williams, R&B Artist - “The Thrill is Gone” by BB King
HARLEM CULTURAL FESTIVAL FOUNDATION + CIVIC HALL UNION SQ.
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HARLEM CULTURAL FESTIVAL FOUNDATION + CIVIC HALL UNION SQ. •
CULTURAL CONVERSATIONS
“ORIGIN MOVIE”
Harlem Cultural Festival Foundation partnered with Civic Hall Union Square to launch its inaugural Cultural Conversation series.
#BeTheChange was the message for the first event held on Friday, April 26, 2024 which featured a private screening and moderated discussion for the highly acclaimed film Origin. NAACP nominated producer George Alexander led guest speakers, film star and Oscar nominated actress Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor; Founder, Ode multi-cultural marketing agency, Jashima Wadehra; and Talmud teacher, Rabbi Igael Gurin Malous through a thought provoking discussion centered around the roles we can and MUST play in changing the world’s current state for the better. Directed so beautifully by Ava DuVernay, the film now serves as a tool to create awareness of inequity and foster important dialogues regarding solutions.
CULTURAL CONVERSATIONS
“CELEBRATING 55 YEARS OF SOUL”
Presented by Civic Hall, Union Square, the “Celebrating 55 Years of Soul” reception on June 19, 2024, kicked off HCFF’s tribute to the 55th Anniversary of the historic 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. With a DJ musical journey through the decades and cuisine presented by James Beard nominated. Harlem icon Charles Pan Fried Chicken, the Cultural Conversation featured an intimate fireside chat with ‘Summer of Soul’ Co-stars Darryl Lewis and HCFF Co-founder Musa Jackson along with former Governor of New York, David Paterson as they shared their personal experiences attending the historic Harlem Cultural Festival in 1969 - the largest black music festival in history.
PARTNER WITH US
Partnership with HCFF provides a unique opportunity for corporations, national brands, and other organizations. We’re inviting you to partner with us as we celebrate the festival’s 55th Anniversary and its historic return in the Summer of 2025, and to join HCF’s movement to create change through collaboration.