BY: Adal Hussain, Chief Editor, 5th Annual Japanese Day Parade NYC , May 9th 2026, at Central Park West at West 81st Street NYC.
Following the great success of the last four years, the 5th annual Japan Parade and Street Fair in New York City was held on Saturday, May 9, beginning at 1:00PM. Starting on Central Park West at West 81st Street and traveling south to West 67th Street, the purpose of the parade is to celebrate, express, and bring awareness to the friendship between NYC and Japan with a thank you from the Japanese community.
Iconic manga artist and illustrator Acky Bright will be this year’s Grand Marshal of the Japan Parade.
Known for his intricate line work and “kawakakkoii” (cute and cool) aesthetic, Acky Bright is an internationally acclaimed Japanese manga artist whose work has appeared in collaborations with McDonald’s, Meta, Marvel, DC Comics, BMW, Lexus, and more.
New York is one of Acky Bright’s main activity hubs. His solo exhibition Acky Bright: Studio Infinity held at Japan Society in New York (2024–25) as well as his frequent guest appearances at Anime NYC and New York Comic Con, have helped build a strong connection with fans in New York.
This year, Acky also designed Japan Parade’s very first official mascot, inspired by the cultures of both New York and Japan.
The design incorporates a variety of themes, including New York City’s colors of orange and navy, the red and white of Japan, the iconic NYC apple, and the traditional Japanese happi coat. There was a contest to choose the mascot’s name, and not surprisingly, the winning name is Happi.
“New York City has become like a second hometown to me,” says Acky Bright. “I am truly honored to design the official mascot and serve as Grand Marshal.”
This year’s Japan Parade and Street Fair was led by Ambassador Satoshi Katahira, Consul General of Japan in New York and the Honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors, Japan Day Inc., and Satoshi Oishi, Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of Japan Day Inc. Kumiko Yoshii is the Executive Producer of the Japan Parade & Street Fair.
This year’s Parade will also feature a live performance from Jujutsu Kaisen The Stage – Hidden Inventory/Premature Death, the wildly popular 2.5D stage play direct from Japan, as previously announced. Jujutsu Kaisen the Stage is a stage adaptation of the manga “JUJUTSU KAISEN” by Akutami Gege, depicting a battle between a curse born from negative human emotions and a sorcerer who exorcises the curse through sorcery.
The original work began serialization in Shueisha’s “Weekly Shonen Jump” magazine in March 2018 and had serialized for six and a half years and concluded in September 2024. 150 million copies have been sold (including digital editions) in the 30 volumes published. Jujutsu Kaisen the Stage (also known as “JUJUSte”) recreates the heated battle scenes of the original work through passionate performances by the cast.
Concurrently with the Japan Parade, the Japan Street Fair was held on West 72nd Street, between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue, from 11AM-5PM (while supplies last).
The Japan Street Fair featured tents offering fun and educational cultural activities including calligraphy, yukata try-on, and traditional games from Japan. In collaboration with Festive Planet one of the largest organizers of Asian food festivals in the U.S. and the producer of large-scale fair events at conventions such as Anime NYC, the Street Fair also featured more than 30 tents serving authentic Japanese cuisine.
The latest information on Japan’s many tourist destinations was made available at several other tents, and as with last year, there were tents where visitors may donate to a charitable cause.
The very first Japan Parade & Street Fair was held in 2022. Actor, author, civil-rights activist, and influencer George Takei was the Grand Marshal for the inaugural parade, while Olympic Gold medalist and author Kristi Yamaguchi was the Grand Marshal for the Japan Parade in 2023, and wheelchair tennis star and four-time Paralympic Gold medalist Shingo Kunieda was Grand Marshal in 2024. Last year Iron Chef, restauranteur and author Masaharu Morimoto served as the 2025 Grand Marshal.
Activists protesting against attacks targeting Asian citizens and anti-Asian rhetoric have also marched in the parade. Sponsors for this year’s Japan Parade and Street Fair included:
Diamond Sponsors: ANA (All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd.), Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America Inc., Daiwa Capital Markets America Inc., Hisamitsu America, Inc., ITOCHU International Inc., and Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.
Platinum Sponsors: KDDI America, Inc., Marubeni America Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc., Nippon Life Insurance Company, Nomura America Foundation, Sojitz Corporation of America, and Sumitomo Corporation of Americas.
Gold Sponsors: ITO EN (North America) INC., J.C.C. Fund / Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York, Inc. / The Nippon Club, Inc., “K” LINE LOGISTICS (U.S.A.) INC., Mayer Brown LLP, MSIG USA, The Prince Kitano New York, and Tokio Marine America.
The Japan Parade & Street Fair is affiliated with Japan Day @ Central Park, an annual event that has taken place in Central Park from 2007 until 2019.
Many political leaders were attendance that included representatives from Mayors and Governors office in attendance, other political leaders included: John Liu, New York State Senate for the 16th district, Ron Kim (Ronald Tae Sok Kim) the Democratic New York State Assembly member for District 40 in Queens, Gale Brewer NYC Council member and many political leaders from NJ and Japan in attendance.
It was a very well attended parade and Fair, with thousands in attendance enjoying the festivities, culture and food of Japan here in New York.
See more about, The 5th annual Japan Parade & Street Fair in New York City- May 9th 2026 in our World Liberty TV, Political Channels by clicking here.
Dr Adal M Hussain, (AKA) Dr Abbey was honored with the WomeninBusinessOrg Humanitarian award on Saturday May 2nd 2026, at The Claridge Hotel, Atlantic City, by the WomeninBusinessOrg, New and Seasoned Entrepreneurs, Executives, Professionals, Business Owners – All Sectors, mostly women.
Mrs. Toby Nadler Founder and CEO, Women in Business Org a prestigious organization she founded many years ago.
As she mentioned there were not many organizations for women, to meet network and work with woman CEO’s. Hence forward Mrs. Nadler, has changed all that by engaging, Women Judges, Business CEO’s, Lawyers, Doctors, `Advocates, Charity and philanthropy organizations throughout the USA.
Holding Networking events, where woman can meet, network share many ideas about their business and personal life’s amongst each other.
Dr.Abbey has known Mrs. Nadler many years, approx. 20 years. Attending and covering her events.
What was surprising was she asked him to cover here 22nd Northeast 2026 Grand Business Salon Event at Atlantic City.
Then She asked Dr.Abbey for his bio and resume, which he provided to her. Within a couple of days Mrs. Nadler got back to him that she was not aware of the Humanitarian work he was doing. She said, I always knew Dr Abbey as being a very good journalist and a media person.
She went on to say, the humanitarian work he has done, here in the USA and around the world, was extraordinary and that she was very proud of that.
She went on to say we would be very happy to Honor, Dr Abbey with a Women in Business Org Humanitarian award, at our 22nd Northeast 2026 Grand Business Salon Event at Atlantic City, at the Claridge hotel.
Mrs. Nadler also said, that Since Dr.Abbey has been working as a volunteer for over 50 years. She was going to honor a man with a humanitarian award, which was never happened before with Women in Business Org.
Dr Abbey with be the first man to receive, Women in Business Org Humanitarian award, in its history.
Dr Abbey want on to say, he was much honored to have this honor bestowed on him, he went to say, he was very close to his mother, who had passed four years ago to Cancer.
He also respected all woman around the world, who are the greatest people in this world, a man can never do the work a woman does.
She Works a Job, Makes breakfast, takes care of children drops kids of at school, prepare dinner, and pick up kids at school. They are superwoman and he went on to say they all are his role models, which he deeply respects.
So he was much honored to be getting the Women in Business Org Humanitarian award, which was to honor his mother’s memory as well as many other Women, who are daughters, Aunts, Grandmothers and Mothers.
Now keep in mind Dr Abbey has been honored close to 400 times around, the world through his boxing awards, Humanitarian Awards, He was also knighted by the order by Countess Nicholas Bobrinskoy in the Order of the Orthodox Knights of St. John in 2020.
Dr.Abbey, has been honored close to 400 times around the world for his service to humanity, he started at age 8 and been doing Humanitarian work around the world for over 50 years, and helping over a million people, kids, orphans, children with disabilities, homeless, needy, endangered animal species and many more Humanitarian projects .He has not taken any money for his services with the 50 years he has been working as a humanitarian, as he says he does it for the love of God.
Dr Abbey Delivered a keynote, where many of his fellow honoree’s, who were woman all congratulated him on this historical award as the first male in the history of Women in Business Org, to receive the Humanitarian award.
Other Honoree’s included: Elaine Barsoom, Woman of the Year award winner, Meg Columbia-Walsh; Trailblazer Honoree, Kelly Brozyna: Featured Honoree, Stacey Chillemi: Media Honoree, Hilary Fordwich: National Honoree, Precious Williams: Legacy Honoree, Valerie Jensen: Non-Profit Honoree, Nina Gann: Luminary Honoree, Jessica Dimaria : Entrepreneur Honoree, Posthumously honoree, was Madame Sara Spencer Washington, Commemorative Honoree( 1889-1953), and Dr Adal Hussain, (Dr Abbey) , Our Co- Publisher was the first man in the history, of WomeninBusiness.org, receive the Humanitarian Award, for his 50 years of work as an Humanitarian.
Project Legacy 2026, Role Model Honorees, honored included: Deborah Schader, Philly Yonta, Judy Link, Dorothy Kulisek, Marie Incontrera, Lori Tatarsky and Cindy Fertsch.
The entire Honoree list can be viewed on the WOMENINBUSINESS.ORG site. Women you know. Women you should know.
See More about Dr Abbey, who is also Co-Founder of Humanitarians of the World Inc. by clicking here.
See more in our World Liberty TV, Humanitarian Channels, Blogs and who is who? of the humanitarian world Photo-galleries by clicking here.
The 22nd Northeast Grand Business Salon was presented by WOMENINBUSINESS.ORG, was held at The Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City NJ on Friday, May 1st, 7:00 – 9:00 PM and continued on Saturday, May 2nd, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
The Salon attendees could overnight their stay on May 1st for the exciting Friday night panoramic interactive TalkWalk and more – OR – just participate at The Celebrity Theatre in The Claridge Hotel on Saturday, May 2nd for the high energy, one-of-a-kind program.
Salon participants enjoyed curated networking and actionable engagement with influentials. Rooted in this historic Atlantic City destination, attendees were inspired to connect through enhanced camaraderie as they shared their spirit and sparkle celebrating SweetSuccess, the women’s achievement journey.
The innovative Salon provided interesting, entertaining and productive time well spent for busy working women.
Salon featured leadership, structured interactives, ultra personalized experiences, Woman of The Year, Honorees, extraordinary experts and customized connective Story Showcases.
The 2026 Grand Business Salon was a unique, exciting opportunity to enjoy, network, appreciate and share an original taste of SweetSuccess up close and personal for executives, entrepreneurs, professionals, business owners sectors.
Participants directly interacted with outstanding women leaders who were honored for leadership beyond the attainment of wealth, power, fame: who they helped, how they felt and what they changed.
The 2026 Honorees included: Elaine Barsoom, Woman of the Year; Meg Columbia-Walsh, Trailblazer Honoree; Kelly Brozyna, Featured
Honoree; Stacey Chillemi, Media Honoree; Hilary Fordwich, National Honoree; Precious Williams, Legacy Honoree; Valerie Jensen,
Nonprofit Honoree; Nina Gann, Luminary Honoree; Jessica DiMaria, Entrepreneur Honoree; Marialisa Zywotchenko, Role Model Honoree; and Dr. Adal Hussain (Dr. Abbey) – the first man in the history of WomeninBusiness.Org to receive the Humanitarian Award for 50 years of his dedicated work as a worldwide humanitarian. Posthumously honored was Madame Sara Spencer Washington, the Commemorative Honoree (1889-1953).
The Project Legacy 2026 Role Model Recognition included: Deborah Schader, Philly Yonta, Judy Link, Dorothy Kulisek, Marie Incontrera, Lori Tatarsky and Cindy Fertsch.
The entire Honoree list can be viewed on the WOMENINBUSINESS.ORG site. Women you know. Women you should know.
Prior Honorees (Associates) include: world record holders, a retired NY State Supreme Court Justice, best-selling authors, CEO’s, doctors, and other distinguished leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals.
In a distinctive tribute on the stage Saturday, May 2nd – Sara Spencer Washington was recognized as The Commemorative Honoree in conjunction with a special surprise video that was shown for the Salon participants.
Attendees cordially mixed business and pleasure with a point through valuable introductions to women from different business sectors.
On and off The Celebrity Theatre stage, participants were introduced to outstanding special guests, role models, mentors and Honored Associates who provide insights, ideas and inspiration – with a cherry on the top. No stress, just SweetSuccess!.
The creative Salons are not cookie cutter business expos or conferences. Salons have no political agendas. A Grand Business Salon without dessert – is just a meeting.
The May 2026 Salon was a perfect kick-off ticket to celebrate and acknowledge National Small Business Week in the U.S. by meeting positive minded women at all levels of their careers and business achievements.
The many interactive highlights included Friday night’s Full Flower Moon TalkWalk and Saturday’s Project Legacy Certificate presentation recognizing amazing women role models. The Saturday Program also included the exciting WomenInBusiness.Org signature ice breaker, wine painting – the wine was in the paint!
In Salon, renew or build new meaningful business relationships: badgeless – and unafraid.
Hundreds of people came from all over the USA to the Atlantic City NJ Salon including participants from Georgia, Florida, Connecticut, NY Maryland and Pennsylvania. Former NY Supreme retired Judge Evelyn Laporte and women CEO’S , C-suite executives, nonprofit executive directors, best-selling authors, lawyers, IT Professionals and other outstanding leaders attended The 22nd Northeast 2026 Grand Business Salon.
The World Liberty TV Team was in attendance as a media partner and official videographers and photographers of the experience event.
Our Co-Publisher Dr. Adal Hussain (Dr Abbey), was the first man in the history of WOMENINBUSINESS.ORG to receive the Humanitarian Award for his 50 years of work as an Humanitarian.
We all proud of him. Dr. Adal Hussain has received over 400 awards for his dedicated humanitarian efforts around the world. Learn more by going to Humanitarians of the World Inc or click here.
To learn about WOMENINBUSINESS.ORG – click here for more information.
See more about The 22nd Northeast 2026 Grand Business Salon Event in Atlantic City in our World Liberty TV, Business Channels, Blogs and Who is Who? of the business world by clicking here.
A joyful day of culinary discovery brings together 3,500+ chefs from across the East Coast with 270+ farmers and specialty producers from around the world, offers delightful beachside “boardwalk” programming, and spotlights industry leaders Matty Matheson, Christian Petroni, Missy Robbins, Paul Carmichael, Matt Rodbard, Tiffani Faison, Marian Chang, Tim Ma, and more.
Baldor Specialty Foods, one of the largest distributors of premium produce and specialty foods in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, returned with Baldor BITE 2026, the biennial gathering of hospitality professionals with the farmers and specialty producers who power and shape the modern food industry, on April 21, 2026, at Basketball City at Pier 36 in New York City.
Centered around BITE’s whimsical ethos “Play With Your Food,” BITE 2026 comes to life with a nostalgic and convivial summer boardwalk theme that aims to take chefs out of the relentlessness of the kitchen in order to enjoy some early vacation vibes.
Connecting the dots between more than 16,000 customers and over 1,000 farm and supplier partners, Baldor Specialty Foods is the trusted purveyor of choice for some of the world’s most acclaimed chefs, restaurants, and hospitality groups—including Eleven Madison Park, Le Bernardin, Major Food Group, Jean-Georges, Union Square Hospitality—alongside neighborhood favorites, quick service restaurants, hospitals, schools, retailers such as Eataly and Union Market and event spaces, like Madison Square Garden and the US Open.
“Baldor BITE is our way of turning the tables of hospitality on our customers, who provide delicious and memorable experiences to their customers every day. It’s also a way for us to enable the success of our suppliers, by helping more chefs discover their products,” says Margaret Magnarelli, VP of Marketing & Communications, who oversees the event.
“At Baldor, we say we’re the ‘to’ in the phrase ‘farm to fork’ and this day it’s a special opportunity for us to live that promise, and in an environment that is as delightful as it is delicious.”
The show floor featured 271 exhibitors representing the full catalog of Baldor’s offerings, broken up by protein, produce, dairy, bakery, and grocery areas, a pop-up Farmers’ Market featuring small regional farms like Meadows and More, Norwich Meadows Farm, and Taproot Farms, and a new Emerging Brands spotlight showcasing up-and-coming producers that need to be on culinarians’ radars.
Among the exhibitors will be B&W Quality Growers, Driscoll’s, La Trafila, Natalie’s Island Juice Co, Gotham Greens, Tanimura & Antle, Zero Acre Farms, Upside Foods, and many more.
In addition to showcasing exhibitors, BITE notably spotlights chef and supplier thought leaders through various panels and programming. The event features a keynote by chef and television personality Matty Matheson (The Bear, Just a Dash) in conversation with Chef Christian Petroni, New York Times bestselling author of Parm to Table. Other headlining talent included Matt Rodbard (Editor-in-Chief of TASTE), Chef Missy Robbins (Lilia, Misi), Chef Paul Carmichael (Kabawa), Chef Tiffani Faison (chef, restaurateur, and judge on Chopped), and Chef Tim Ma (Tim Ma Hospitality).
Highlights from BITE 2026 include: Keynote Conversation: Matty Matheson: Unfiltered. A keynote conversation between chef and television personality Matty Matheson and New York Times best-selling author Chef Christian Petroni, where they will discuss restaurant culture, creativity in the kitchen, and the evolving role of chefs in shaping food communities.
The Chef’s Table: What It Takes to Achieve Success in Today’s Culinary World. Moderated by Editor-in-Chief of TASTE Matt Rodbard, this panel brings together leading chefs and restaurateurs, including Chef Missy Robbins, Chef Paul Carmichael, Tiffani Faison, and Chef Tim Ma, to explore how restaurants are evolving, from sourcing and sustainability to leadership and culinary creativity.
The Flavor Makers: From Farm to Phenomenon. How Suppliers Behind Beloved Ingredients Ensure the Best for Your Kitchen. Highlighting the farmers and producers powering restaurant kitchens, this discussion will feature Garland S. Reiter Jr., Chief Commercial Officer (Driscoll’s), Dan Rohrberg, VP of Sales (DemKota Ranch Beef), Saleena Subaiya, Founder (BKE Kombucha), Marian Cheng, Co-Founder & CBO, (Mimi Cheng’s Dumplings), and Aaron Choi, Founder (Girl & Dug Farm)
Golden Meat Co. Hot Dog Eating Contest: Chef-led gourmet hot dog eating charity competition, with participating chefs to be announced.
Cutting Demo: Golden Meat Co.: A live demonstration of a whole rib roast broken down into steaks, showcasing Baldor’s premium meat program through Golden Meat Co., its in-house butcher and meat supplier.
Cutting Demo: Pierless Fish: See the art of big fish butchery up close as Baldor’s in-house expert fishmongers demonstrate initial breakdown to portioning.
Parmesan Wheel Cracking: Italian cheese supplier Ambrosi will present a live cracking of a full wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano, showcasing traditional cheese presentation and service, and a technique-driven demonstration on how to perfect Rome’s most iconic pasta dish, Cacio e Pepe.
Pastry Demo: Strawberry Shortcake with Driscoll’s Berries. Pastry Chef Jatee Kearsley of Je T’aime Patisserie, in collaboration with Farmers Direct and Driscoll’s, will prepare a seasonal strawberry shortcake highlighting peak berries.
Demo & New Ingredient Showcase: Zucchiolo. Casa Pons and Malena Produce will introduce Zucchiolo, a new vegetable developed in South Spain, making its U.S. culinary debut through a live ratatouille demonstration that offers a fresh take on the Provençal classic.
About Baldor Specialty Foods: Baldor Specialty Foods is one of the largest distributors of premium produce, specialty foods, dairy, meat, and fish in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, with more than 16,000 customers and over 1,000 farm and producer partners. Beginning as Balducci’s Fruit Stand in New York City’s Greenwich Village in 1946, and spun off as a separate company in 1991, Baldor maintains its original commitment to freshness, flavor, quality, and service.
Baldor’s reliability and commitment to quality you can trust and service that delivers make it the purveyor of choice for some of the world’s most acclaimed chefs, restaurants, and hospitality groups, including Eleven Madison Park, Le Bernardin, Major Food Group, Jean-Georges, and Union Square Hospitality. By providing quality ingredients, innovative solutions, and seamless logistical experiences, Baldor frees up chefs’ headspace to focus on creativity rather than supply chain logistics.
This trusted network extends beyond restaurants to include corporations, hospitals, schools, and major retailers and event spaces—from Madison Square Garden to the US Open to Eataly, and beyond.
From that fruit stand push cart start, Baldor has grown into one of the largest distributors of premium food in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. While founded as a produce company, Baldor has strategically expanded its catalogue to cover the entirety of the plate, distributing over 6,000 SKUs, including specialty foods, meat (via its Golden Meat Co. acquisition), fish (via its Pierless Fish acquisition), and dairy.
The business remains in the family, under the leadership of CEO T.J. Murphy, and maintains its original commitment to freshness, flavor, and meticulous service that was praised early on by food icons like James Beard.
Underpinning Baldor’s growth is a strong commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing, driven by a diverse network of carefully curated farm and producer partners across the country and the world.
These vendors—be they generational farmers or emerging agriculturists and makers—are true experts, and are committed not only to the highest quality food but also to social responsibility and improving the conditions for their crops and animals.
It was a very wonderful event, company’s and brands from all over the world, showcasing their great brands, thousands of people in attendance interested and learning more of the partners involved with Baldor Specialty Foods, tasting there foods and getting a deeper under5standing of the food companies.
See more in our World Liberty TV, Food and Wine Channels, Blogs and who is who? of the food world in our Photo-galleries by clicking here.
