By Bazona Barnabe Bado
Bronx Week ended on May 17, 2026, with the Bronx Week Parade, a community celebration that showcased the culture, resilience, and pride of the borough. Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson led the procession alongside firefighters, followed by community organizations, school groups, marching bands, and local leaders. The streets came alive with chanting, dancing, and music as residents gathered to celebrate the borough’s spirit. 
Gibson described the parade as an event dedicated to “celebrating the people, amplifying our voices, and telling the real story of the Bronx.” Her words reflected the purpose of Bronx Week: to honor the borough’s communities and highlight their contributions.
The parade began along Mosholu Parkway and traveled from Hull Avenue to Van Cortlandt Avenue East. After the procession, the celebration continued with an outdoor festival featuring food vendors, arts and crafts, and a live concert.
African communities, along with many other community groups, were represented through the African Advisory Council. Their presence stood out through cultural dances and the resonant sound of drums, adding energy and pride to the celebration.
African Nations soccer tournament: Gambia Triumphs Again
The final pitted Gambia against Liberia in a tightly contested match. Both teams began with energy and determination, each eager to lift the trophy.
Gambia, wearing white jerseys, was aiming to retain the cup after winning it for the past three consecutive years, while Liberia, dressed in blue, hoped to dethrone the defending champions.
The crowd enjoyed an exciting first half as both sides battled evenly for control. Neither team managed to break the deadlock, and the score remained 0-0 when the referee blew the whistle for halftime.
After the 15-minute break, the players returned to the field with the same intensity and determination. Gambia pressed forward aggressively and created several scoring chances, but Liberia’s talented goalkeeper made crucial saves to keep his team in the match.
At the end of regulation, the score was still 0-0, forcing the match into a penalty shootout. Gambia converted five penalties to Liberia’s four, sparking celebrations as the defending champions claimed the title once again.
David Ahmed Coulibaly, director of community affairs in the Office of the Bronx Borough President, thanked all 16 teams that took part in the tournament. Speaking on behalf of Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, who was absent, he praised the teams for their fair play and congratulated Gambia on its victory. And Ms. Gibson gave the trophy to the winners during Bronx week parade that took place on May 17, 2026, in the Bronx.
“The tournament was excellent,” said Ambroise Ngande, who has overseen the tournament for 16 years. “Sixteen years are not sixteen days or months. For Ambroise, this requires experience and patience.”
“This tournament keeps our kids away from crime, and that proves we are changing lives through the tournament,” said Sidiki Donzo, chairman of the African Advisory Council.
The NYC Ghanaian Mental Well-Being Project one of the sponsors of African Nations Soccer Tournament
The NYC Ghanaian Mental Well-Being Project was also present and served as one of the sponsors of the African Nations Soccer Tournament, highlighting its commitment to community outreach and wellness.
Ramatu Hamed and Professor Margrethe Horlyck-Romanovsky, both involved in the project, also took part in the parade.
Hamed said the group joined the parade to raise awareness about mental health and the support available to those who need it. She noted that the Bronx is home to many African communities, with Ghanaians making up a significant population. According to Hamed, the project’s work is meant to support not only the Ghanaian community but the wider Bronx community as well. She emphasized that hospitals offer services for those seeking help and said the organization also works with churches and mosques to raise awareness about mental health issues.