The Garifuna Experience Podcast

Episode 23 - Why NYC Garifuna Political Representation Matters

• Jose Francisco Avila • Episode 23

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The Garifuna community in New York City is on a mission to shift from a community of presence to a community of power.

Host José Francisco Ávila dives into the critical importance of increasing Garifuna political visibility and influence, arguing that a seat at the decision-making table is non-negotiable for securing resources and fighting systemic challenges.

Hear about the Garifuna political trailblazers—like Rosemary Ordonez-Jenkins and Gustavo Santos—who are opening doors. More importantly, learn about the ambitious, community-wide strategic plan to achieve local political representation in New York by the centennial year of 2030.

This episode lays out why every vote matters, detailing the need for a unified Garifuna front—a Grand Coalition of non-profits, cultural groups, essential workers, and faith-based organizations—to launch the Voting is POWER - Garifuna Representation 2030 Campaign.

Tune in to understand why Garifuna representation is the key to driving Power, Prosperity, and Progress for the entire community.

 Resources:

Books by José Francisco Ávila

Soundtrack

HOST: Hello, and welcome to The Garifuna Experience Podcast. I'm your host, José Francisco Ávila, and today we’re diving deep into a topic that is absolutely critical to the future of our people in the United States: the Garifuna Growing Political and Social Influence and, specifically, Why NYC Garifuna Political Representation Matters.

The Garifuna community in the U.S., particularly right here in New York City, is no longer just a community of presence—we are becoming a community of power. We're actively working to increase our political visibility and influence, with a growing number of individuals running for and becoming elected officials at local and state levels.

This rise in political representation isn't a vanity project; it signifies a crucial shift from simply being a population to being active participants in shaping policy and governance. This direct engagement is fundamental for advocating for community interests, addressing systemic challenges like discrimination, and ensuring that Garifuna voices contribute to legislative decisions.

Our Political Trailblazers

This growing influence proves our community is organized and politically savvy. We're already building a foundation. Just look at key figures in public service:

  • Rosemary Ordonez-Jenkins: She is the Vice-Chair of the Bronx County Democratic Party and made history as the first Garifuna person elected to a political position in New York State as a Democratic Judicial Delegate in 2014.
  • Gustavo Santos: Currently serving as a Town Board Member for the Town of Guilderland, New York, with a term through December 2027. Gustavo is the first person of color elected to office in Guilderland, achieving this in his very first run for elective office after years of dedicated service on local boards and committees, including zoning, planning, and police reform.

(Engaging Anecdote): Born in Honduras, Santos once shared his journey, saying, "I came to this country with 20 cents, and I put myself through college without the help of my parents.” He found the Guilderland community welcoming and was motivated to contribute his expertise. As a labor leader and through his Garifuna upbringing, he's learned the invaluable skill of being a good listener—a skill desperately needed in politics.

These individuals are opening the door. But we need to bust it wide open.

Why Representation is Non-Negotiable

The answer to Why NYC Garifuna Representation Matters is simple and stark: We need a guaranteed seat at the table.

Every major community that has established itself in this city—the Puerto Rican community, the African American community, the Dominican community—they all understood that political power is how you secure resources, how you fight injustice, and how you build a lasting legacy. As I record this episode, we see State lawmaker Zohran Mamdani seeking to become New York City’s first Muslim and Indian American Mayor! Every other community did it. And now it is past time the Garifuna community does it.

We can’t afford to let grudges, internal divisions, or the pressures of the political and academic industrial complex slow us down. We must unite and declare: Let’s continue working together to build the political power and the resources we need.

One of our main challenges to political power is a lack of Visibility and Recognition. Our distinct Afro-Indigenous background is often misunderstood or unacknowledged within broader Hispanic/Latino and Black demographics. This leads to underrepresentation in data and, crucially, a lack of equitable access to government services.

As former President Barack Obama wisely stated, "the only way for communities to build long-term power is by organizing people and money around a common vision; and a broadly based indigenous leadership, knits together the diverse interests of the local institutions.”

Building a Grand Coalition

We must follow that model. Taking into consideration the current political landscape, we must organize for action towards a more just society. This means bringing together:

·       Garifuna Non-Profit organizations like the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc., Casa Yurumein and its conglomerate of Hometown Associations (Patronatos), Garifuna Community Services, Inc., , Garifuna Indigenous People of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Inc. and many others.

  •  Cultural Groups Gogo Noralez and Friends, Bodoma Garifuna, Garifuna Heritage Center for the Arts and Culture Inc., United Garifuna Artists, Budari Dance Company, Chief Joseph Chatoyer Dance Co. LLC, Libana Maraza, Lisanigu Bodoma Garifuna Cultural Band 
  • Essential Workers—our Home Attendants and Property Service Workers.
  • Law Enforcement (The Garifuna American Law Enforcement Association).
  • Faith-based organizations—from Traditional Garifuna Spirituality Leaders (Buyeis) to the Catholic Garifuna Pastorals and Evangelical Garifuna Churches, Evangelical Garifuna Council.
  • Entrepreneurs and Businesses. The Garifuna Market, LLC, Garifuna Eats catering, LLC, Garifuna Entertainment, Inc., Grifuna Music Podcast, LLC, Garifuna Power Sound, Corp.

We must join forces in protecting Garifuna Voting Power to achieve political representation in New York City and New York State by 2030.

The Road to 2030: Voting is Power

The year 2030 will mark the centennial of Garifuna establishment in New York City. We want that year to mark a major benchmark for our community: local political representation.

Currently, there is only one member of the Garifuna community holding local political office in New York state. This lack of representation means a lack of direct advocacy for our needs. That is why our strategic plan has to be laser-focused: dramatically changing the New York electorate by increasing Garifuna voter registration and participation.

(Serious, direct tone): We cannot continue to rely on others to speak for us. We cannot tolerate a so-called “US Garifuna Caucus” formed by an individual from outside our community, without a single Garifuna staff member, whose ultimate goal is to build their power, not ours.

That’s why we are organizing the Voting is POWER - Garifuna Representation 2030 Campaign.

Our goal isn't just to register people; it's to create consciousness and awareness within our community about the critical importance of voting. We must teach the advantages of engaging with the government, of advocating for ourselves, and of building alliances with other like-minded groups.

All Garifuna Americans deserve to be represented at decision-making tables and to have their voices heard.

Garifuna Representation Matters!

Outro

And that wraps up another illuminating and essential episode of The Garifuna Experience Podcast. Today, we laid out the roadmap for our political future and underscored why our community must unite behind the goal of securing representation in New York City and New York State by 2030.

Thank you for listening, and remember: The future of the Garifuna people is in our hands. We are driving Power, Prosperity, and Progress. Until next time, stay united, stay proud, Sungubei Lidan Aban Ayo!

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José Francisco Ávila

Host