TEDxHarlem is an independently organized TEDx experience that brings together influential leaders, innovators, artists, entrepreneurs, educators, and changemakers to share ideas that inspire action and expand perspectives. Rooted in the rich cultural legacy and global influence of Harlem, TEDxHarlem creates a platform for powerful storytelling, thought leadership, and community engagement across business, technology, education, culture, social impact, and the arts.

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The event features dynamic TED-style talks, live performances, and immersive audience experiences designed to spark meaningful conversation and connection. TEDxHarlem attracts a diverse audience of professionals, students, creatives, executives, and community leaders from across New York City and beyond. Through compelling programming and strategic partnerships, TEDxHarlem continues to elevate voices and ideas shaping the future of our communities and the world.

Celebrate Pride at The Apollo Stages at The Victoria with an integral conversation on representation of Black gay men in media with A Visible Life.  

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Join social-media creator and comedian Lavelle Dontae and artist-educator Dr. John-Martin Green with artist-scholar williambryantmiles for an intimate discussion featuring short film excerpts, performances, and fellowship. A Visible Life  invites audiences to think about how both watching and crafting performance shapes and defines who they are, and who they aspire to be.

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Celebrate Pride at The Apollo with Apollo Works in Process: A Little Light, a new queer coming-of-age musical by Derrick Byars. A Little Light  tells the story of a young man navigating the rush of new love and the weight of generational survival. Centered on a Black family in a small Southern town, these new musical blends romantic comedy, theatrical camp, and emotional depth as soon-to-be college freshman, Jordan begins to step into the kind of life he’s only ever imagined.

Join us for a neo-soul dance party as we honor the late musical legend D’Angelo, whose revolutionary sound and artistry left an indelible mark on global culture. D’Angelo’s early roots can be traced to New York via The Apollo, where he won Amateur Night three times in a row then launched a career that would inspire a musical movement and soundtrack a generation. We invite you to meet us under the moonlight, slip on a pair of high-fidelity headphones and immerse yourself in D’Angelo’s music curated to perfection by the trailblazing sound collage artist and music maker DJ Reborn.

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Location: 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 1002

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Harlem Pride’s Celebration Day has evolved into a cornerstone of New York City’s Pride festivities, attracting more than 20,000 attendees annually. The event brings together a rich mosaic of identities and experiences while celebrating Harlem’s historic and ongoing role in LGBTQ+ activism, art, and culture. At the heart of the event is a live stage show featuring emerging and established LGBTQ musicians and performers. The show will also include special guests and community leaders.

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Celebration Day 2026 will once again transform Harlem’s west side waterfront into a dynamic hub of community, returning to an expanded location first used in 2025. The new space, on 12th Avenue between West 130th and West 132nd Streets, provides attendees and participants alike with an enhanced event experience.

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Presented with SummerStage, this evening brings together boundary-pushing voices in R&B and soul.  

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A foundational member of the loose late-’90s hip-hop/R&B collective the Soulquarians, Bilal has an effortless, understated swag. It oozes from every track of his 2001 debut 1st Born Second, a retro yet fresh take on soul music at the turn of the century. He’s gotten more experimental as he’s grown, collaborating with artists such as Kimbra, Otis Brown III, Kat Dahlia, Slum Village, and Kendrick Lamar on his third album To Pimp a Butterfly. Bilal’s latest release is Live at Glasshaus, a live recording from an intimate, career-spanning performance with Questlove, Robert Glasper, and Burniss Travis as his backing band.

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He’s joined by GENA, a new project from the dynamic R&B artist Liv.e and renowned drummer Karriem Riggins; their name stands for God Energy, Naturally Amazing, indicative of their improvisationally ordained approach to making music.  

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On the ones and twos is DJ Tara, a DJ, urban planner, and co-founder of Donuts are Forever, the annual J Dilla tribute and fundraiser.   

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Location: 670 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216

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Presented with SummerStage. Mavis Staples has been performing for eight decades. At 86 years old, she’s known as one of the most enduring figures in American music, earning inductions into multiple halls of fame (blues, rock, and gospel), was a Kennedy Center Honoree, and winner of numerous GRAMMY awards, including one for lifetime achievement. With her return to SummerStage, she’s sure to perform the hits alongside new tracks from her 15th solo album Sad and Beautiful World. She’s collaborated with nearly every major figure of her many eras, from Bob Dylan to Prince, Aretha Franklin, and Willie Nelson. Opening the evening is Brother Wallace, a force of modern soul and gospel sound. Most recently, he’s collaborated with The Heavy guitarist Dan Taylor to build a body of work built on his electrifying brand of soul music.

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Location: Rumsey Playfield, New York, NY, 10021

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Join The Apollo as it kick’s off its Harlem Week at Harlem Summer Nights! Get a sneak peak of what the weekend has in store and grab a bite at Harlem’s biggest food festival!

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Celebrate with The Apollo at HARLEM WEEK! The Apollo will have a table at Theater Row on 135th Street between Adam Clayton Powell Blvd and St. Nicholas ave on Saturday, August 15th and Sunday, August 16th from 12 to 6PM.

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We hope to see you all at The Apollo tent on Theater Row and at the Harlem Week Mainstage!

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