2025 Grand Marshal Funmilayo Chesney
Funmilayo Chesney is a renowned dancer, singer-songwriter, drummer, and choreographer dedicated to preserving and promoting African dance and music. As the Founding Artistic Director of F.U.S.H.A. Dance Company, she has performed on global stages, including the Apollo Theater, Carnegie Hall, and the United Nations, and has taught at Alvin Ailey, Harlem School of the Arts, and Cumbe. A respected arts educator, she integrates dance and music into youth empowerment programs and has received grants from Dance/NYC, the NYFA Women’s Fund, and the Brooklyn Arts Council. Expanding her artistic reach, she is releasing her debut album May 16th, I Believe in Myself, produced by Al MacDowell, blending Afrobeats, Samba, Salsa, Hip Hop, and Reggae. Funmilayo’s work, recognized with numerous accolades, continues to inspire through performance, education, and cultural activism. {Read more...}