Trailblazers Lighting the Way: 125th Street BID Honors C. Virginia Fields at Its Legacy Awards Reception

By THT Events Desk | November 7, 2026

On Friday night, the 125th Street Business Improvement District lit a lamp for one of New York City’s true pathfinders. At The Forum at Columbia University, 601 W. 125th Street at Broadway, the BID held its annual Legacy Awards Reception in honor of C. Virginia Fields, under the banner of this year’s holiday theme, “Trailblazers Lighting the Way.”

Fields pioneered New York City politics as the first Black woman elected Manhattan Borough President, according to the 125th Street BID. She also served as a City Council Member and as CEO of the nonprofit National Black Leadership Commission on Health. The BID built the evening around the presentation of its Legacy Award to Fields for her dedication and contributions to the community.

The program ran from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The BID is led by Barbara Askins, President & CEO of the 125th Street BID, and board chair Mukaram Taheraly took the podium during the evening. The BID’s guest list included its board members, Manhattan Community Board 9, community partners and local stakeholders, with the Afro Latin jazz performers Belongó on the bill.

A Kickoff for the Season of Light

The Legacy Awards are the BID’s annual kickoff to the holiday season, and Friday’s reception also previewed Harlem Holiday Lights, which the BID calls New York City’s only parade of holiday lights. The parade steps off uptown on Tuesday, November 17 (rain date Tuesday, November 24).

According to the 125th Street BID, the parade will feature more than a dozen magically lit floats, FDNY vehicles, dozens of watch areas and a variety of activations and experiences for locals and visitors of all ages and backgrounds. This year’s Grand Marshal is DJ Webstar, whom the BID calls the neighborhood’s own.

Established in 1993, the 125th Street BID is a not-for-profit made up of property and business owners, community and government leaders, residents and staff. For more than 30 years it has promoted the arts, entertainment, dining and business community along the corridor, working, in its words, to showcase 125th Street as “a premier arts, culture and entertainment destination.”

For the full list of holiday activations, visit harlemlightitup.org and follow @HarlemHolidayLights on Instagram. For more on the BID, visit harlembid.com and follow @125thstreetbid.