Episode 42: The Power of the Count – Celebrating Garifuna Heritage Month

" Did you know that right here in New York, we celebrate the first and only official Garifuna Heritage Month in the world?."

In this milestone episode of The Garifuna Experience, host José Francisco Ávila marks the 17th anniversary of Garifuna Heritage Month in New York. While we celebrate the vibrant music, food, and Afro-Indigenous traditions that define us, this year’s message is a clarion call for a different kind of visibility: Political Power.

With over 250,000 Garifuna residents in New York City—and 100,000 in the Bronx alone—why is our community almost entirely absent from the halls of government? José breaks down the urgent need for the 2030 Census and why accurate data is the most effective tool we have to secure the resources, redistricting, and representation we deserve.

In this episode, we explore:

• The Sacred Timeline: Reflecting on March 11th (Deportation from St. Vincent) and April 12th (Arrival in Roatán, Honduras).
• The Representation Gap: A sobering look at why only one Garifuna individual holds local office in NYS despite our massive population.
• Census 2030 Mobilization: How the Garifuna Complete Count Committee is building a national template for political organizing.
• Honoring Our Heroes: Remembering the legacy of Paramount Chief Joseph Chatoyer and the lives lost in the Happy Land Social Club fire.

It is time to move from a cultural platform to a political infrastructure. Whether you are a Baby Boomer passing the torch or a Gen Z "torchbearer" ready to lead, this episode is your roadmap to the next decade of Garifuna progress.

Resources:

• Subscribe on your favorite podcast app
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• YouTube
• Amazon Music
• Subscribe to our newsletter 
• The Garifuna Experience in NYC | Bronx walking tour
• The Garifuna Experience in NYC 
• Garifuna Heritage Walking Tour (Bronx
• Join the Garifuna Complete Count Committee

Books by José Francisco Ávila

Pan-Garifuna Afro-Latino Power of Pride:: My Quest for Racial, Ancestral, Ethnic and Cultural Identity

Transcript

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HOST: Did you know that right here in New York, we celebrate the first and only official Garifuna Heritage Month in the world?

From March 11th to April 12th, our community paints the city with pride. For eigtteen years, this hasn't just been a date on a calendar; it’s a testament to our resilience. I’m José Francisco Ávila, and today on The Garifuna Experience Podcast, we’re talking about moving from cultural influence to political power.

Declaration of Garifuna Heritage Month in the Bronx

HOST: "The seeds of this transformative annual celebration were truly planted in 2008. It was then that the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc., spearheaded a groundbreaking initiative, submitting a precisely crafted proposal to Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión Jr. the request was clear, concise, and visionary: a formal proclamation designating March 11th to April 12th of each year as Garifuna American Heritage Month, commencing in 2009. 

This was not just a step; it was a monumental leap forward, laying the foundation for official recognition of our people's enduring legacy!"

Declaration of Garifuna-American Heritage Month New York State

HOST: "Following that initial, hard-won success, the momentum continued to build with unstoppable force. 

Since 2010, we have been honored to receive official proclamations from successive New York State Governors: first, David Paterson, then Andrew M. Cuomo, and now, Governor Kathy Hochul. These statewide proclamations formally designate March 11th to April 12th as Garifuna-American Heritage Month across the entire State of New York. 

This widespread recognition clearly underscores the significant and growing presence, and the undeniable impact, of the Garifuna community within the state.

[SECTION 1: The Sacred Dates]

HOST: Garifuna Heritage Month  celebrates our unique Garifuna heritage, our vibrant culture, and the invaluable contributions we proudly bring to the diverse tapestry of New York City and the entire state. It is far more than just a series of events.

Why does Garifuna Heritage Month begin on March 11th? Because its timing is precisely chosen to coincide with the most pivotal and solemn historical dates for the Garifuna Diaspora.

HOST: Garifuna Heritage Month is a profound affirmation of who we are. It is framed by two sacred dates that define our survival.

• March 11th, 1797: The day the British Empire forcibly exiled 2,248 of our ancestors from our homeland, St. Vincent (Yurumein). 
• The brutal conditions of this forced journey resulted in the tragic deaths of 222 ancestors before they even reached their destination. 
• April 12th, 1797: The day the remaining 2,026 ancestors, disembarked on the island of Roatán, Honduras.

Between those two dates lies the story of a people who refused to die. We are the descendants of African, Arawak, and Kalinago souls. We are Afro-Indigenous. We are resilient. And today, New York City is home to the largest Garifuna population outside of Central America—an estimated 250,000 strong.

But here is the hard truth: If you aren't counted, you don't exist in the eyes of the city and state.

[SECTION 2: The Data Gap & The 2030 Vision]

HOST: For too long, we have been a "hidden" demographic. We are seen as a vibrant cultural group, but ignored as a distinct data category. This leads to underrepresentation and underfunding.

That changes now.

In 2020, we hit a milestone: the U.S. Census finally allowed us to identify as both Black and Garifuna.

 Now, we are mobilizing early for the 2030 Census. We aren't just filling out forms; we are building a political infrastructure. Through the Garifuna Complete Count Committee, we will ensure our identity is recognized, our districts are drawn fairly, and our resources are secured.

"Visibility equals power. Data is our most effective weapon."

[SECTION 3: The Representation Gap]

HOST: Let’s look at the numbers. The Bronx holds the highest concentration of Garifuna people in the United States—nearly 100,000 in that borough alone.

Yet, in 94 years of history in this city, how many of us hold local office?

One. As of today, Gustavo Santos—a Town Board Member in Guilderland—is the lone Garifuna voice in New York local government. One person representing a quarter of a million residents.

This is a wake-up call. We are a voting bloc ready to be activated. By 2030—the centennial of our arrival in New York—we must reach a new benchmark: True Political Representation. It is time for the Baby Boomers to pass the torch to the Millennials and Gen Z. We need you to carry the flame.

[SECTION 4: Remembering the Ancestors]

HOST: As we move through this month, keep these dates in your heart:

• March 14th: National Heroes Day. We honor the Right Excellent Joseph Chatoyer, our Paramount Chief, who fell in 1795 defending Yurumein.
• March 25th: A somber anniversary. We remember the 87 lives lost in the Happy Land Social Club fire in 1990—a wound that still echoes in the Bronx and across our community.
• April 12th: The arrival at Punta Gorda, Roatán. The birthplace of the diaspora.

Every Garifuna person alive today descends from those 2,026 ancestors who survived those British ships. We share the same blood, the same journey, and the same future.

HOST: Ultimately, Garifuna Heritage Month is a living testament to our resilience. It’s a time to reflect, to celebrate, and to look forward to the future we are actively shaping.

A future that includes transforming our cultural influence into measurable political power and sustainable organizational capacity. Happy Garifuna Heritage Month!

[OUTRO]

HOST: And that wraps up another enlightening episode of the Garifuna Experience Podcast.

HOST: This Garifuna Heritage Month, The Garifuna Experience Podcast is committed to one thing: making sure we are seen, heard, and valued.

In 1797, they tried to erase us from the map. In 2026, we are making sure they never can again. Our ancestors fought for the land; we fight for a complete and equitable count in the 2030 Census and measurable political power. 

Thank you for listening. Remember: The future of the Garifuna people is in our hands.

Until next time, stay united, stay proud. Sungubei Lidan Aban. Ayo!

HOST: Find new episodes of The Garifuna Experience every Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your pods. Please rate and review—it helps our history reach the world.

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