Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today hosted a reception at Gracie Mansion in honor of the 29th anniversary of Harlem Week, a month-long celebration that takes place from August 1st to the 30th. This year’s theme is “Harlem On My Mind”, a tribute to the culture, history, arts, religion, education and politics of Harlem. Among those attending the reception were Deputy Mayor for Policy Dennis Walcott, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, Housing Authority Chairman Tino Hernandez, and President/CEO of the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce Lloyd Williams.

“This celebration showcases the heart and soul of the Harlem community, a community that continues to enjoy an economic renaissance, which is emblematic of the City as a whole,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “I congratulate and honor these award recipients for their extraordinary contributions to our City, and urge Harlem’s brightest high school students to follow their examples.”

The reception kicked-off the month-long festivities, which includes the Harlem Jazz and Music Festival (HJ&MF), established by the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce and runs throughout the year. The Harlem Jazz and Music Festival includes concerts, comedy nights, poetic orations, and walking tours among many of the events.  The presentation of the National Black Sports and Entertainment Hall of Fame 2003 Inductees and other honorees in the fields of fashion, theatre, and the arts, also took place at the reception and were as follows:

New York Fashion & Design Award
Steven Burrows, Fashion Designer

Leadership in Fashion Award
Nicole Miller, Fashion Designer

Outstanding Corporate Leadership Award
Reynold Levy, President of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

Excellence in Arts and Culture Award
Barbara Ann Teer, Actress and Theatre Advocate

Outstanding Contributions in Comedy
Jackie “Moms” Mabley, Comedy Legend (posthumously)
Accepting: Clarice Taylor, Actress, “The Cosby Show”

Outstanding Contributions in Entertainment
Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Actor and Dancer (posthumously)
Accepting: Voza Rivers, Executive Vice Chair, National Black Sports & Entertainment Hall of Fame

Scholarships were also presented to students from local high schools for academic excellence. The Ron Anderson and Harlem Jazz and Music Festival Orchestra provided music at the reception, where cast members of the Tony award-winning musical “Hairspray” performed the songs “I Know Where I’ve Been” by Mary Bond Davis, and “Welcome to the Sixties” by The Dynamites.