Dozens of Janet Jackson fans gathered on 135th Street in Harlem New York, to witness the icon receive two special honors.
Janet took the stage to receive a proclamation award from the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce presented by Senator Brian Benjamin as well as an honor from the MTA. Ms. Jackson was being recognized this year as part of the 2018 Harlem Week theme, “Women Transforming Our World: Past, Present, and Future.”
The five-time Grammy Award winner made her way to the event as New Yorkers did, by subway. When Janet walked on stage to accept her honors she spoke about how special New York was to her early in her career as well as during her pregnancy with son Eissa. Janet also watched as a youth dance group from Harlem’s Impact Repertory Theatre paid homage to her doing a rendition of her Rhythm Nation choreography. Following the dance tribute, Janet took a group picture with the youth dance group. Daddy Yankee who collaborated with Janet on her latest single “Made For Now” also made an appearance in support of the icon.
Harlem Week began in 1974 and celebrates the unique African American and West Indian culture and assets of the neighborhood featuring hundreds of different events during the week-long festivity. This year along with honoring Janet, the life and legacy of Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin who passed away last week was celebrated. Also featured during Sunday’s Harlem Day will be a special Bobby Brown installation in anticipation the premiere of “The Bobby Brown Story” (airing September 4-5 at 9 PM ET/PT on BET). The installation – a 30-foot inflatable Bobby Brown head replica with his face and iconic fade haircut will allow people to enter the Bobby Brown “Theatre of the Mind” allowing fans to walk through and experience various facets of his music and life.