107th & Lexington Avenue Named "Gloria DeNard Way"

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – On Sunday, October 11th at 4:00pm, the City of New York will honor Gloria DeNard in naming E 107th and Lexington, “Gloria Dennard Way”.  DeNard was East Harlem’s own Bel Canto of Soul and was the executive director of Manna House Workshops \(MHW\), which served the community with Jazz, dance, art, and education for over 50 years. DeNard, an alumnus of the Juilliard School of Music, shared her world-class talent with perseverance, unwavering spirit and dedication. With the support of the Church of the Ascension, the City Council, Chemical Bank, the Rockefeller Foundation and the community in East Harlem, she established Manna House Workshops in 1967, a place where lives were transformed through music, dance, the arts, and lessons on healthful living practices. Many of her students have survived some of the most historically tumultuous conditions, yet undoubtedly learned to express themselves purposefully through art. She brought world class performances to East Harlem with the MEEE concert series \(Music Entertainment, Education and Enlightenment\).   Her stellar, supportive board members, her family, and many friends, buoyed her passion for the Arts, thus enabling her to focus on showcasing and teaching some of the world’s most recognized musicians including her son, Kenwood Dennard, Stanley Jordan, Valerie Ghent, Gerri Allen, Anthony Jackson, Patience Higgins, Kim Plainfield, Will Calhoun, and so many more.  MHW came to a close when DeNard passed away in 2020 but the legacy lives on through the thousands of lives spanning generations that were affected positively by her efforts. We’ll be meeting on 106th between Lexington and 3rd Avenue just prior to the commemoration.  Now is the time to celebrate this important Black and American legend, Gloria DeNard!    Contact Renee Dawson for more information: \(213\) 915-7479.  \#\#\# Listed by WBGO Live Jazz.