Meet Jasmine

Harlem is more than a neighborhood. It is a community that becomes a part of one’s legacy and often a part of who they are as a person. Jasmine is an example of the profound impact Harlem has on people, and the desire to pass on the experiences and love for the community to future generations. Although she has not lived in Harlem, her grandparents met and married in Harlem, and her mother was born and raised in the neighborhood. They raised her to also cherish Harlem and be involved in the community to continue the legacy of her loved ones. Her grandparents, Abraham and Lucinda Snyder, moved to Harlem from the South, “[My grandfather] was from… Picayune, Mississippi. My grandmother was from Franklinton, Louisiana. They both went to Southern University, but they didn't meet there. They actually met up here at a church event in Harlem. And then they were married, like, two months later... And they were married for 61 years, before he passed… So I definitely… grew up… seeing great Black love.”

Her grandfather, Abe Snyder, was one of the founders of the African American Day Parade, of which Jasmine is currently the Administrative Coordinator, “Currently, [I] am heavily involved in Harlem because I work with the African American Day Parade, continuing my grandfather's legacy and just making sure that it gets to where it needs to be… Even though I was born and raised in the Bronx… [Harlem] is heavily in my blood…” Reminiscing fondly on his impact on her, she says, “My grandfather definitely instilled so much in me. I even brought a picture... I'm the only grand… So if I don't do it, who's gonna do it? …My grandfather is the reason for… so much in my life. I'm so grateful, so thankful. My dad was always in my life, but my mom and dad separated when I was young, so my grandfather was that person in my life… Helping with homework, taking me to school, making sure [I] go to church, helping me with my political science.” She continues, “He was a fiery person, like Black Panther type. Very much pro-Black. And that's from his experiences… in Mississippi.” He passed the lessons he learned throughout his life including the trials and tribulation of creating the parade, instilling core values and inspiring her to continue his work. “It was about 13 founders. He was one of them… It feels good meeting other legacy kids. I call [us] legacy kids... because… our grandparents, fathers, they created this platform, and now… it's our job to kind of carry it out.” 

“Currently, [I] am heavily involved in Harlem because I work with the African American Day Parade, continuing my grandfather’s legacy and just making sure that it gets to where it needs to be… Even though I was born and raised in the Bronx… [Harlem] is heavily in my blood…”

As a child, her grandmother would often bring her to explore the neighborhood and to attend church at First Church of Christ Holiness every Sunday and Bible Study every Wednesday. Additionally, growing up she was very active in the arts, dance, step, and acting. She says, “I was in this group called Teens in Motion where we did step. And so we were… winning every Wednesday at Amateur Night [at the Apollo Theater]. And so I was constantly out here doing that. I was very active in the schools and we used to tour… different high schools and recruit other kids because it was like a program for teens… We did step, dance, acting and it was different opportunities that kids didn't see. We performed in the parade every single year. And that was the biggest stage for a lot of us growing up. And then... the parade mixed with the Apollo took us to being able to perform at the White House and… even [go] on tour with Destiny's Child… I feel like Harlem created that diversity to be able to do that, you won't be able to really do that everywhere.” The African American Day Parade is a defining part of her Harlem experience as well. She says, “I loved coming to the parade. And this is not just because [of] my grandfather… I enjoyed coming to the parade and then… letting my peers know [about it]. It was all over the radio. Everybody wants to see the Hot 97 float… And then… also just seeing… all the Black nurses, the Black doctors. That's something you don't see growing up. So I went to an HBCU because of the parade… Just seeing the bands and everything.” As the Administrative Coordinator her hope is to continue growing the parade each year and get more people involved, “This is… a real community thing. And I think that people need to understand that all of us have to really come together…. Beyond the parade [as well].” 

Community members have immense love and respect for the parade, she says, “This is a family parade… Even when the parade started, [there were] almost a million people out there… I think that it set the tone then, and it's still following and carrying out now.” In the future, she envisions more people and organizations coming together and helping the parade continue to grow. More than half of the 250 organizations and businesses involved in the parade are in Harlem, including Harlem Shake, WARM, and Street Corner Resources. Most of the volunteers, Grand Marshalls, and honorees who dedicate their time to continuing the legacy and making sure the parade stays in Harlem, are also Harlem residents. “That's why you can't talk about the African American Day Parade, without talking about Harlem... and vice versa... It's like... they go hand in hand… It's great to… meet different people and work with them. And see… the different things that we can do within the Harlem community.” She aims to tap more into the youth, closing the gap between generations to get them involved in Harlem and educated on the history. “I think that's the good thing about the parade this year. We had a lot of young volunteers. I was super, super, super, super proud…. It's good that they can focus and work on something as positive as this. So Tik Toks are fun for them. Imagine doing a positive, fun Tik Tok and then [it] growing. They're gonna feel so good. 'Look, look, I helped you get a million followers.' That feeling, they're never gonna forget that.” 

“I can’t imagine what my life would be like without Harlem… I can’t imagine not having the parade. I would have not [gone] to an HBCU. I probably [would not] have the mindset that I have. So I think that as far as instilling… Black culture in everyone, not just myself, I think Harlem does that… without a doubt, like, hands down.”

The African American Day Parade has programs throughout the year to give back to the youth and members of the Harlem community, “We have the Abe & Lucinda Snyder Scholarship. It's named after my grandparents. We award three African American high school seniors with scholarships… We encourage HBCUs… but we do support them going to college in general… And then we also have… the "Get Involved" Community Literacy, Health & Culture celebration where we have… literacy books and games for the kids. There's a bunch of tables with community resources and CBOs handing out different things from flyers, sign ups for their programs, dance programs… [and] therapy programs… Then we have the health panel… One of [our board members], Dr. Mack, she is the moderator. And they focused last year on mental health and the community was heavily involved. They asked questions. Even after it was over, they were still talking to the doctors.” Their goal is to share information, build community, and celebrate culture, like with their culture celebration in which they invite performers and artists for a fun and educational event. “This year was our second year, and every year we want to just keep expanding and growing and then working with more people.”

She feels extremely tied to Harlem, “I would say I found community… everywhere in Harlem. There's not a place in Harlem I would say that I felt… not a part of.” Jasmine feels the community has had an indescribable impact on her life and who she is, “I can't imagine what my life would be like without Harlem… I can't imagine not having the parade. I would have not [gone] to an HBCU. I probably [would not] have the mindset that I have. So I think that as far as instilling… Black culture in everyone, not just myself, I think Harlem does that… without a doubt, like, hands down.” She reflects, “I would say my Harlem story is definitely a love story. I love Harlem. I think Harlem is in me. I feel that. I feel it every year when we walk down… I cry every year… It's that feeling of when you're preparing, being overwhelmed… And then when it's over, just seeing everybody [saying] ‘Thank you…’ All ages. That's a different feeling…”