Freddie Fixer Parade: Dixwell Community Project
Since 1962, America's oldest African American parade, the Freddie Fixer Parade, has shone as a moment of celebration for the Dixwell neighborhood in New Haven. Freddie F. Smith has been leaving a legacy on this city since the first year of his idea: Dr. Smith led a neighborhood "fix-up," or clean up, in order to instill pride in his fellow community members. Afterwards, he would organize a large parade that celebrated the various local community initiatives and identities, thus empowering the various outlets of social, economic, and political growth. The tradition continues to this day.
This summer, the Freddie Fixer parade saw its largest pool of participants in recent years. As a public artist and community adventurer, I worked alongside the Dixwell community and the Stetson Branch of the New Haven Free Public Library to create a project that showcased the legacy of this parade and how it has shaped black culture and pride for decades. I also created a documentary displaying my process researching and collaborating with the Dixwell community. There, I was able to capture candid conversations and processes of my work.
The collage showcases the legacy of Fred F. Smith within New Haven’s rich history of empowering and honoring African American heritage. The Freddie Fixer Parade is one of the largest African American cultural celebrations in the Northeast region.
My research consisted of collecting photos from the decades of celebration and designing the collage to shine the limelight on the faces of those who have extended the legacy of Freddie F. Smith. Dr. Smith himself was known as the "Black Renaissance Man," and his actions to uplift the Dixwell Community and instill pride in its community members continues to this day through the actions of dedicated volunteers.
When researching and collecting photos, I framed all the leaders, volunteers, dancers, marchers, performers, musicians, and artists at the core of this collage. Dr. Smith's photos was placed in the center, and he was decorated with Jean-Michel Basquiat's iconic crown, symbolizing his historic status. To conduct my research, contextualize the community narrative, and acquire behind-the-scenes knowledge of the parade, I working alongside the Dixwell community and the Stetson Branch of the New Haven Free Public Library.
This collage will find its new home in the Dixwell Stetson Branch library.
Marching with Dixwell
Over summer, I got to participate with the Connecticut Center for Arts and Technology at the parade. It was such a joy to march alongside Dixwell and experience their tradition of community pride. I even got to make friends with Fred Smith Jr., the son of Freddie F. Smith, the creator of the parade. Fred talked about what this parade has always stood for, and his excitement witnessing his father’s legacy in New Haven grow.
These photos show me with my ConnCAT team and Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal!
Me & Fred Smith Jr!
