UFT African Heritage Committee co-Chairs Zakkiyya Rock (front, center) and Elaine Haynesworth (front, right) lead the UFT contigent in the African American Day Parade.
Rain failed to dampen the spirits of UFT members who turned out on Sept. 20 to march with the UFT African Heritage Committee as the UFT made its inaugural appearance in Harlem’s historic African American Day Parade. “I came to support my people,” said Paraprofessional Representative Alveda Alston of Harlem’s Central Park East I amid the sounds of classic R&B. “It is a beautiful thing to be able to rejoice in our heritage and culture.” Representation was key. “We have so many members that are represented through the parade, so we definitely wanted the UFT to participate,” said committee co-Chair Elaine Haynesworth, chapter leader of Brooklyn’s PS 279. Co-Chair and Bronx Member Representative Zakkiyya Rock said participation also honored the role of Black educators: “We’ve always been an integral part of our education system.” Brooklyn Collaborative Studies Chapter Leader Tamika Styles agreed, saying she marched, in part, to be a face of Black representation in education: “Black educators matter.”