13th Annual Literacy Across Harlem March

TOTAL EQUITY NOW and partners invite East, Central, and West Harlem to the

13TH ANNUAL LITERACY ACROSS HARLEM MARCH

Saturday, September 27, 2025

12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

EVENT DESCRIPTION

The Literacy Across Harlem March is a fun and meaningful opportunity for Harlemites of all ages to lead for literacy, deepen your knowledge of our community’s rich literary history and landscape, and celebrate Harlem’s identity as a world-renowned hub of literature by and about Black and Brown people.

This year’s theme, Leading Lights of Literacy and Liberation: Celebrating Harlem’s Libraries and Librarians, centers the vital contributions of Harlem’s libraries and librarians as beacons of learning, culture, and community empowerment. Join us in celebrating their leadership and service!

EVENT SCHEDULE

12:00 p.m. - RALLY! Meet at your choice of these legendary community institutions: (1230 5th Avenue between 104th and 105th Streets) or (1942 Amsterdam Avenue at 156th Street). Bring two books to march with: a personal favorite and a gift-quality children's book to donate to a local homeless shelter. Then . . .

12:30 p.m. - MARCH! Get to know your community from an exciting new perspective on an interactive tour of reading-related landmarks.

3:00 p.m. - CELEBRATE! At the end of the march, participate in an interactive, intergenerational literacy celebration at the Marcus Garvey Park Amphitheater, in the heart of Harlem!

CHAMPIONS OF READING AND REPRESENTATION

Total Equity Now dedicates each Literacy Across Harlem March to the memory of two Harlem literacy superstars, Pura Belpré and Walter Dean Myers!

(1899-1982), amazing storyteller, puppeteer, author, and the New York Public Library's first Latina librarian, worked tirelessly and creatively to ensure that the shelves and programming of Harlem's public library branches celebrated the rich tales and traditions of Black and Brown people.

(1937-2014), who grew up in Harlem and went on to write more than 100 books for children and young adults, dedicated his life to making sure Black and Brown young people saw themselves, our families, our communities, and our cultural and ethnic backgrounds reflected in literature.

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