Bronx Week ends with Culture and Unity parade on Mosholu Parkway

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.

Emceed by Borough President Vanessa Gibson and Bronx News 12’s 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.

The event culminated in a concert with hundreds dancing the day away. Photo by ET Rodriguez

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.

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

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.

Many organizations exemplified the cultural diversity of the Bronx, including the Bronx Bangladeshi Society of New York.Photo by ET Rodriguez

Local schools and dozens of organizations, ranging from the Borough President’s 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.

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

“ My theme this year, ‘The Bronx Leads,’ is really about elevation. It’s 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,” Gibson told the Bronx Times. “And storytelling, the story of the Bronx, of how we have come so far, right? Devastation, poverty, burnout, fires, crime and we’re a lot better. We’re not perfect, but we’re a lot better.”

Esther Dordzra of the Ghanaian group Wuza Wuza — meaning you and us together as one — embraces the sentiment of unity as she waves the American flag. Photo by ET Rodriguez

Gibson added she has her sights on the Bronx having its own “full-fledged asthma center,” a disease disproportionately affecting Bronxites. According to the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, “New York City has one of the country’s 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.”

Little 9-year-old Ava listened attentively as she learned how to perform life-saving CPR. ”I learned that if somebody stops breathing, you have to call 911 and start chest compressions and have a steady 120 compressions per minute.” She added that the instructor taught her the song, “Stayin’ Alive” by the BeeGees to help keep a steady rhythm. Photo by ET Rodriguez

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.

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

I think it’s just a celebration of the Bronx and what we have to offer,” said Stephanie Lorenzo who grew up near Mosholu Parkway and was at the festival with her young niece.

Twin puppets — Civic and Engagement or the Sunnies– were created by artist Yazmany Arboleda in 2024. They graced the parade to remind people to vote for how to invest the “People’s Money,” $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

“The Bronx often times has, like, a bad reputation of not having anything. It’s normally just crime and negative things. But I think it’s important to acknowledge all the diversity of music, food, and safety.”